Public Asked To Report Cold Stunned Trout

Residents are being asked to report sighting of cold stunned trout in North Carolina coastal waters to the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Acccording to a news release, spotted seatrout move to relatively shallow creeks and rivers during the winter, where they can be vulnerable to cold stun events. Studies suggest that prolong periods of cold weather that casuse cold stun events can have a significant negative impact on spotted seatrout populations.  Reports can be made by contacting the N.C. Marine Patrol at 1-800-682-2632 or during regular business hours to the division spotted seatrout biologist Tracey Bauer at 252-808-8159 or Tracey.Bauer@ncdenr.gov.