Trout in Hot Water
Helping Trout in Hot Weather
Key facts and handy hints to ensure you are playing your part in safeguarding Victoria’s trout population.
We have created a poster on the effects of hot weather on wild trout populations and how anglers can help them to survive and thrive. The poster contains handy hints and key facts on increasing your chances of success whilst also protecting our wild trout from the effects of extreme summer heat.
Measure the water temperature
- 12-14 degrees celsius – Optimal growth conditions. Trout will be actively feeding.
- 19 degrees celsius – Growth ceases and trout become stressed.
- Greater than 24 degrees celsius – Trout are extremely stressed and potentially lethal. Avoid fishing.
Rest your river
Limit your fishing between the hours of sunrise and 11am whilst the water is still cool and the trout are not under stress. As the water temperature increases above 19 degrees celsius during the day, trout will cease feeding and find shelter in cooler water patches. By fishing during the cooler periods, you will greatly increase your chance of success. You will also be giving the fish the best possible chance of survival if practicing catch and release.
Keep them wet and use a net
Minimize handling of the trout and use a net. Using a landing net will allow you to keep the fish wet whilst unhooking. This gives the fish the greatest possible chance of survival in extreme heat if practicing catch and release.
Support habitat and river restoration projects
The effects of climate change will continue to have negative impacts on our trout streams into the future. You can help minimize this by supporting river restoration projects that increase trout habitat and restore riparian zones.
By following these simple guidelines you can help to ensure Victoria’s trout fishery is thriving for years to come. VRFish would like to thank the young future leaders for their work in creating this poster and the Australian Trout Foundation (ATF).