Mid-state anglers to benefit from Oconee-raised trout

Thousands of catchable-sized trout grown in Oconee County are being stocked into the Lower Saluda River near Columbia.  The South Carolina DNR announces that its freshwater fisheries division has started the process of delivering by truck to multiple spots along the Lower Saluda.  The cold water released from the bottom of Lake Murray provides suitable habitat for the rainbow and brown trout that are transported from the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery from December through February.  Trout grow rapidly after stocking and can exceed 20″ in one to two years after stocking, which is considered trophy size for this type of fishery.