Annual Trout Sale 2025
Welcome to Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District’s Annual Trout Sale
Click here to order online!
Click here to print/mail order form
It's time once again for the Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District annual Spring Trout Sale for stocking private ponds. Our sale provides an opportunity for local landowners to stock their private ponds with Brook Trout, a tradition that not only provides beautiful fish for your pond, but also supports sustainable aquatic ecosystems and helps preserve Maine’s rich natural heritage. With the deadline for orders set for Monday, April 21st, now is the perfect time to participate.
Why stock your pond with Brook Trout?
Stocking your pond with trout has significant benefits for both recreational enjoyment and ecological balance. Brook Trout are not only stunning fish to observe but are also an excellent addition to private ponds for fishing and fostering biodiversity. By stocking fish, landowners actively contribute to maintaining healthy aquatic environments that support wildlife and preserve Maine’s natural beauty for future generations.
Important ordering information:
Sale Start Date: January 24, 2025
Orders Deadline: April 15, 2025
Pick up date: June 2, 2025
We have Brook Trout available for sale
Pricing: $3.50 per fish
Minimum order: $50.00
Oxygen Bags: $7/bag (up to 20 fish per bag)
Fish food - is now available for $22 per 10lb bag
Each buyer must have a permit application to stock waters in Maine.
ORDER FORMS:
Make checks payable to: HCSWCD
Mail to: HCSWCD at 474 Bucksport Rd, Ellsworth, 04605
Or order with your credit card or PayPal account below.
For more information, order forms, or permit applications, please contact the District at (207) 664-7496 or visit our website. Let’s work together to support Maine’s environment, one trout at a time!
Stocking Your Trout & Keeping Them Happy
Trout are very stress sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, oxygen, carbon dioxide and pH, for this reason, extra care should be taken to slowly adapt trout to your pond water. Follow the guidelines below and reach out if you have any questions.
Stocking Your Trout
Place the oxygen bag containing trout in your pond. Do not open the bag. The bag will float; leave the bag in water for 15 minutes. This procedure will lessen the stress factor of temperature differences between your pond water and the water in the oxygen bag.
After 15 minutes, cut off the top of the oxygen bag and gradually pour one gallon or so of pond water into the bag. Then, slowly pour the trout and water into your pond. This procedure will enable the trout to adjust to your pond's water chemistry.
Watch trout carefully after releasing them into the pond. In some cases, trout may try to swim in the shallow areas of the pond and become caught in weeds. Remember that these trout are accustomed to concrete raceways kept at a constant depth. Usually trout will school together and swim to the coldest temperature in the pond.
Walk around your pond, closely observing the shoreline for trout. If any are caught in shallows, move them to deeper water. This period of adjustment usually takes 24 hours before all stress factors are eliminated.
If you plan to supplement feed, wait at least 24 hours after stocking. Trout adapt best on an empty stomach. Dry, pelleted trout feeds from commercial dealers are easy to use. Dealers furnish a detailed feeding schedule based on fish size and water temperature.
Keeping Your Trout Happy
Keep weeds down around your pond. It is best to manually pull or keep them cut down. Chemicals are available, but it is best not to use them unless necessary.
Ponds without constant inflow of water should be observed closely during hot summer months. It is a good practice to purchase a thermometer to keep in your pond. If the surface temperature rises above 70 degrees, it is best to aerate. Using a small inexpensive electric pump to splash the water back into the pond can do this. If your home water source is well water, you can use a sprinkler or splash water into the pond to add oxygen. Do this in the evening when cool to avoid heating the water. Warm water holds less oxygen than cold water.
If warm water temperature is a problem, having plenty of coniferous shade trees around your pond can help. (Avoid planting deciduous trees within 100 feet of the pond’s shoreline because when these trees shed their leaves in the fall, the leaves will enter the water and consume oxygen while they decay.) A good way to protect your pond against winter and summer kill is to invest in a reasonably priced aeration system.
Questions? Contact Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District at:
Phone/Text: 207-667-8663
Email hcswcdinfo@hancockcountyswcd.org
Visit: https://www.hancockcountyswcd.org/
Stop by: 474 Bucksport Road in Ellsworth
Office hours: Mon-Wed-Fri 9-2
~ Making Conservation Work For You Since 1963 ~