I have caught large ones in streams but and i know people troll for monsters in the great lakes but what does it take to grow trophy 10lb+ browns or rainbows in small lakes and ponds? Ive seen it done in NZ and Iceland but never in north america.

Do the larger ones tend to prefer the deep water or will they migrate into streams if allowed?


thanks,

Need healthy, cool water, with plenty of movement to keep it clean, freshness and oxygen. Toss in a good food chain, and it's possible.

These are links to discussions of trout grown by Cecil Baird in a tiny 0.12 ac pond. Big trout in a small pond; it can be done.

Cecil's trout Pond 0.12 ac Size rectangle 59X89ft
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=426249#Post426249

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=283273
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=275081

Cecil Brook Trout
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=389390

Brookie 5 lbs
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=389446

Brookie 6 lbs; Brown trout
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=180049

Rainbow 9 lbs 9 oz, Brown 12 lbs
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=283273&page=1

A guy I used to know had a pond that extended under a deck of his house. It wasn't much more than 1/4 acre, and maybe ten feet deep. It was fed by a spring that I would estimate flowed at least about 100-200 gallons/minute at about 56-58 degrees F. He had several huge (to me) rainbow trout in there, maybe 10-15 pounds. Cool water, and flowing water, seems to be the key. He fed them trout pellets off the deck.

Thanks guys! those links are exactly what i was looking for.

This is exactly what I am trying to work towards.