Fisheries officials ask public to report cold-stunned trout

State Division of Marine Fisheries officials are asking that the public report any cold-stunned spotted seatrout they see in coastal waters.

During the winter, spotted seatrout move to relatively shallow creeks and rivers, where they can be vulnerable to cold stun events, which have the potential to occur when there is a sudden drop in temperature or during prolonged periods of cold weather, making fish so sluggish that they can be harvested by hand, officials said.

While there have been no cold-stun events reported so far this season, if concerning weather conditions happen in the coming weeks, there could be, which could lead to death from the cold or fall prey to birds and other predators.

Studies suggest that cold stun events can have a significant negative impact on spotted seatrout populations.

Spotted seatrout cold stun events can be reported at any time to the N.C. Marine Patrol at 1-800-682-2632 or during regular business hours to the division spotted seatrout biologist Tracey Bauer at 252-808-8159 or Tracey.Bauer@ncdenr.gov.

If reporting a spotted seatrout cold stun event, please provide the specific location, date and time the cold stun was observed, and contact information.

Under the North Carolina Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan, if a significant cold stun event occurs, the Division of Marine Fisheries will close all spotted seatrout harvest within a management area until the following spring.

A significant cold-stun event within a management area is determined by the size and scope and water temperatures. Data loggers are deployed statewide to continuously measure water temperatures in coastal rivers and creeks that are prone to cold stuns.

Closing harvest allows fish that survive the cold stun event the chance to spawn in the spring before harvest reopens. Peak spotted seatrout spawning occurs from May to June.

Under N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission rules, the spotted seatrout season automatically closes in inland waters when it closes in adjacent coastal waters.