Thirty five hundred trout found their way to a new home this morning when Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) personnel delivered the slippery rainbows into Devils Lake at Regatta Park in Lincoln City.
According to delivery staff the fish are of “catchable size and because they are sterile are meant to be caught.” Left to their own devices the fish can live up to two years.
According to Lake Director Boone Marker a recent survey of the lake showed a marked improvement in grass overgrowth and should pose no problem to the success of the trout.
It was a short trip for these wigglers having been bred and raised in the hatchery in Otis.
A majority of the fish seemed ready to swim and find safety in their new habitat. Some struggled but it was explained that some fish go through a period of shock and bladder adjustment and will ultimately become acclimated.
Sounds like good news.
Nice fish in the ten inch plus range. Cool water makes ‘em firm and tasty…grilled whole, as good as it gets…..deeeee-lish!