[Whaler]

They stocked a local trout stream here last week. The stream is low, very low for late winter. Anyway I watched a heron catch a trout last week. It downed a pretty big one. Yesterday I walked along this stream and there were 3 herons at the same spot. I can only imagine how many trout they will eat before the season starts. Last year I was fishing this stream and a heron would walk right up next to you as you caught trout on your fishing rod. The splashing fish on your line would bring this heron right in. I would scare it away but I was shocked how brazen it was. They used to be very shy and elusive.

 

[Trout 2003]

I hate herons with all of my soul and being. If I could snap my finger and extinct the species I would. Mergansers too. If a heron walked up to me I'd probably end up in jail, I'll leave it at that lol. What I can tell you about your situation is that this time of year they will only eat their fill so the damage won't be more than a few trout a day. When the kiddos hatch in a month then it gets crazy. They'll pound as many fish as they can catch then. Hopefully waters rise.

In my spot it's eagles. The eagle crush the stockers when the water is low as it's been the last 2 years. I don't hate them as much though.

 

[psychobeagle12]

Nah, the eagles aren't so bad because there aren't nearly as many of them and they really are shy of people. Heron populations have exploded and yeah, it's starting to get ridiculous. Used to NEVER see them. Last few years I see them all over the place.

 

[25ftup]

We stock our farm pond every year with 125 trout the Wednesday before the opener of the statewide season. The Herons have a field day with the fish we put in, especially with the orange ones that shine like beacons.

 

[strutnstuff]

They have been stocking the local streams with steelhead smolts & sea gull's haveing a field day

 

[LostAgain]

During hunting season it was hawks and owls eating all the small game, now that its spring, its herons and eagles eating all the fish. Unreal

 

[Wainzoid]

Its closer to being real than unreal.

 

[chilli]

Its real.....