The abundance of spotted seatrout in South Carolina waters is calculated from the S.C. Deparatment of Natural Resources’ trammel net survey.
Spotted seatrout is a sub-tropical species vulnerable to cold kills. During the winter of 2000-2001, inshore water temperatures dropped sharply and stayed in the 40s for an extended period of time. As a result, a large proportion of the spotted seatrout population died. Preliminary data from 2009–2010 surveys suggest that a similar, but less severe, kill occurred in January 2010. As a result, SCDNR requested that anglers were refrain from harvesting spotted seatrout for one to two spawning seasons in its “Let’em Spawn, Let’em Live” program.
A general increase in abundance was observed from 2002 to 2009, likely due to favorable environmental conditions, a decrease in bag limit and an increase in minimum size requirements. After the non-mandatory restrictions in 2010, anglers have reported a continued abundance of trout.
Recreational landings for spotted seatrout have been mostly above the 10-year average in recent years, mirroring the general increase in the species’ abundance over the last decade. Regulation changes likely explain the increase in proportion of fish release.The commercial fishery for spotted seatrout was terminated after the species gained gamefish status in 1987.
In South Carolina, trout typically inhabit estuaries year-round, but they may congregate to overwinter in deeper channels and rivers or in main estuaries, possibly increasing fishing pressure. Excessive cold can result in mass mortalities. All sizes of fish prefer moderate salinities; larvae are apparently susceptible to low salinities caused by periods of significant freshwater influx.
Be the first to comment