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New for 2009

The most significant changes to the stocked trout program for 2009 are occurring due to the re-construction of the Coursey Springs Trout Rearing Station in Bath County. This is the Department's largest production facility and re-construction requires a total shutdown of trout production at the facility for approximately two years. This shutdown began last spring and will result in a temporary reduction in the number of trout produced and considerable difficulty in distributing trout to the northwest portion of the state. However, reductions will be made across all trout waters so that no one area is more seriously affected. Starting in January, 2009, every Category B and C water, as well as Delayed Harvest and Urban waters, will receive one less stocking per year and every Category A water will receive two less stockings per year until production resumes at Coursey Springs. The number of trout per stocking will not be reduced and every effort will be made to eliminate stockings during periods of lightest use. On the positive side, once Coursey Springs is finished, trout anglers are going to greatly benefit from the reconstruction. With a 30% increase in production capability, anglers will see a combination of more and larger trout. The increase in production at Coursey will also allow the other Department's four trout stations to focus more on fish growth rather than numbers, so trout anglers statewide should see bigger and better trout in their creels.

The work at Coursey Springs is expected to be completed by December, 2009 with the facility at full production for the 2011 spring season. During construction Coursey Springs Hatchery and the stream below the facility will be closed to public visitation.

There are also a few changes to the trout stocking plan for 2009. Spring Run, the stream flowing out of Coursey Springs will not be stocked during the construction period. Also, Thompson Pond in Fauquier County has been removed from the stocking list due to a leak in the control tower which has drained the lake. On the positive side, Douthat State Park has purchased an additional section of Wilson Creek, resulting in a one-mile extension of the fee fishing area. The Hardware River delayed harvest section in Fluvanna County has been extended downstream approximately ½ mile to the confluence with the James River. Finally, the Rose River has been added back to the list of Heritage Waters.