Distribution
When the fish are ready for stocking, they are pumped by mechanical loader into a distribution truck. The water in the truck’s tank when kept cool and well supplied with oxygen can hold large numbers of trout for many hours.
Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery has two large capacity fish transportation trucks that are primarily used to distribute our trout to the destination. These two trucks are capable of holding 15,000 to 20,000 8-10 inch trout each. The combined life support system of these two trucks, which allows transportation of large numbers and weight of fish over long distances, consists of 21 aerators and two liquid-oxygen bottles weighing 600 lbs. each.
These units are used for stocking large reservoirs with trout throughout western Colorado and northern New Mexico and are a very cost-effective and efficient method of transporting trout. These along with smaller size stocking truck comprise the distribution fleet for Hotchkiss NFH and allow us to efficiently and safely transport our annual distribution of over 750,000 trout.
Last updated: March 2, 2012
