Utah Division Of Wildlife Resources Stocks 12.8 Million Fish In 2024

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) achieved a remarkable milestone in 2024, stocking over 12.8 million fish into waterbodies across the state. This effort, aimed at enhancing fishing opportunities and bolstering native fish populations, reflects a significant increase from previous years. In total, 12,831,218 fish—amounting to a combined weight of 1,238,903 pounds—were released into 722 Utah waterbodies, marking a notable jump from the 10.6 million fish stocked in 2023.

Fish stocking has long been a tradition in Utah, dating back to 1871 when fish were first transported into the state by train. The practice evolved with the establishment of the first hatchery in 1897 and the introduction of modern hatchery techniques in 1899. Today, the DWR operates 13 fish hatcheries, which supplied 11 million of the fish stocked this year. Additional fish were sourced from certified disease-free hatcheries across the country.

“These original hatcheries were really impounded streams where we put fry that we got from the federal government,” DWR Aquatic Section Assistant Chief Craig Schaugaard said in a press release. “Our hatcheries are important because they provide the majority of the fish we stock in the state.”

The DWR employs innovative strategies to adapt to changing weather and water conditions. Adjustments include stocking larger fish to increase survival rates, targeting smaller fish for areas with high growth potential, and introducing warmwater species in drought-impacted regions. Timing adjustments have also minimized the impact of warmer water temperatures.

Fish stocking also supports conservation, particularly for species like the June sucker, which was downlisted from endangered to threatened in 2021 due to recovery efforts that included stocking. A diverse array of species was stocked this year, including rainbow trout, tiger muskie, Arctic grayling, and cutthroat trout.

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Stocking remains an essential tool for providing recreational fishing opportunities while supporting the recovery of threatened and endangered species. For more information about the DWR’s stocking efforts, visit their website.