The Vineyard fishing season opened unofficially Thursday when a Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) truck carrying a full load of trout from the state fish hatchery arrived. Net load by net load, DFW workers delivered unloaded their prized stock.
DFW stocks Island ponds twice each spring with hundreds of brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout. The stocking program is funded by the sale of sporting licenses.
The trout truck followed a familiar route, stopping at Duarte’s, Uncle Seth’s, and Old Mill ponds in West Tisbury, and Old Mill Pond at the head of Lagoon Pond in Oak Bluffs. Fishermen were not far behind.
According to DFW, 45 percent of the fish average over 14 inches, with some larger brown trout. At one time, the Vineyard sustained a large population of native brook trout. The remnants of that population still cling to survival in the upper reaches of Mill Brook.
Fishermen are allowed a limit of three trout per day from ponds. Fishermen 15 years of age and older must have a Massachusetts freshwater fishing license. Licenses are available online at massfishhunt.com.