Source: NCDENR, 1/19/22 The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries wants to remind the public
to report any cold stunned spotted seatrout they may see in North Carolina coastal
waters. No cold stun events have been reported yet
this winter, but conditions during or following the imminent winter storm may
cause one or more to occur in coastal creeks and bays. During the winter, spotted seatrout move to
relatively shallow creeks and rivers, where they can be vulnerable to cold stun
events. Cold stun events have the potential to occur when there is a sudden
drop in temperature or during prolonged periods of cold weather, making fish so
sluggish that they can be harvested by hand.
Many fish that are stunned die from the cold or fall prey to birds and other
predators. Studies suggest that cold stun events can have a significant
negative impact on spotted seatrout populations. Spotted seatrout cold stun events can be reported at any time to
the N.C. Marine Patrol at 1-800-682-2632 or during regular business hours to
division biologist Jason Rock at 252-808-8091 or Jason.Rock@ncdenr.gov. If reporting a spotted seatrout cold
stun event, please provide where (the specific location) and when (date and
time) the cold stun was observed, along with your contact information. Under the N.C.
Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan, if a significant cold stun event
occurs, the Division of Marine Fisheries will close all spotted seatrout
harvest within a management area until the following spring. A significant cold
stun event within a management area is determined by 1) assessing the size and
scope, and 2) evaluating water temperatures to determine if triggers of 5 C (41 F) at eight
consecutive days and 3 C
(37.4 F) during a consecutive 24-hour period are met. Data loggers are deployed
statewide to continuously measure water temperatures in coastal rivers and
creeks that are prone to cold stuns. Closing harvest
allows fish that survive the cold stun event the chance to spawn in the spring
before harvest re-opens. Peak spotted seatrout spawning occurs from May to June. Under N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission rules, the spotted
seatrout season automatically closes in inland waters when it closes in
adjacent coastal waters.
Download a photo illustration of what a
spotted seatrout cold stun might look like.
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