Guadalupe River Canyon Dam Tailrace Brown Trout

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In March, the Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GRTU) will stock approximately 900 brown trout averaging 14 inches in the Canyon Dam tailrace.

The tailrace extends 14 miles downstream of Canyon Dam on the Guadalupe River. Brown trout are popular with anglers and can live in slightly higher water temperatures than rainbow trout.

This stocking will be different than previous brown trout introductions, because fisheries managers will assess how brown trout stockings improve angler participation and fishing through Texas’ hot summer months.

Angler surveys will document fishing effort and catch rates, while electrofishing sampling will evaluate trout survival through summer and fall.

Half of the brown trout stocking will occur in the special regulation zone, which begins 800 yards downstream of Canyon Dam and extends to the easternmost bridge crossing on Highway 306. Anglers fishing in this zone are required to release brown and rainbow trout between 12 and 18 inches in length. Trout below 12 inches and one above 18 inches can be harvested by artificial lures only, with a five-fish daily bag limit.

Remaining brown trout will be stocked in multiple locations from the easternmost Highway 306 bridge crossing to the second bridge crossing on River Road.

Methods for catching brown trout are similar to those used for rainbow trout. Dry flies, wet flies and small lures that imitate terrestrial insects or minnows can be good bait choices in summer.

source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department