| | The reproduction of trout, including control of spawning, induction of spawning, stripping, fertilisation of eggs, egg incubation and larval rearing, is well understood. A number of books provide further information on all aspects of breeding and rearing of trout (See Bromage et al., 1990, Sedgwick 1985, Stevenson 1987). Spawning of trout occurs during winter months in WA (June and July). Female rainbow trout can produce up to 2000 eggs.kg -1 of body weight (Morrissy 1985), and similar egg production is recorded from brown trout (Novotny and Nash, 1985). Trout produce relatively large eggs of 3-7 mm in diameter (Novotny and Nash, 1985)) and the larvae are well developed at hatching. In general, trout will not spawn naturally in culture systems and juveniles must be obtained either by artificial spawning from a hatchery or by collecting eggs from wild stocks. The Department of Fisheries operates a trout hatchery in Pemberton at the SWFRAC. The hatchery provides juvenile trout for stocking and is able to reliably provide fingerlings, yearlings and older fish to farmers and members of the public. | |
