Tiger Trout

What are tiger trout and how can Colorado’s lakes benefit?

Many of Colorado’s coldwater lakes contain fish species, such as suckers and minnows, which provide little value to anglers, compete with managed sport fish, and have the potential to reduce water quality. However, these undesirable fish may be valuable prey items. Sterile fish that have the ability to grow to predatory size quickly and eat the unwanted fish could act as a biological control agent and provide a unique fishing opportunity. Being unable to reproduce, sterile fish can be closely managed through stocking and harvest regulations. Tiger trout, a sterile hybrid between male brook trout and female brown trout, have the potential to fill this role. Tiger trout have already been stocked in some Colorado lakes. Our understanding of what tiger trout eat and how well they grow and survive in lakes with different species of undesirable fish is being investigated as a management tool.