How To Start a Trout Farming Business

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Trout farming has become an industry that reached its plateau more than two decades ago having experienced a rapid growth phase during the 1970s and 1980s. However there is still opportunity for somebody with access to the appropriate resources to develop a lucrative sideline business farming trout.

For a mainstream trout farm investment it is necessary to look for a production unit capable of producing at least two to three hundred tons each year in order to make the investment worth while. Unfortunately there are no longer any suitable sites available that would support this level of production and any that are still undeveloped would likely be more suitable for more profitable enterprises these days.

However, for landowners or persons with access to a small plot of land, which need be no more than an acre in size, and a suitable water supply, it is possible to develop a lucrative side line business farming trout.

The important aspect of the water supply is that it is not only of sufficient quantity and quality, but also flows uninterrupted 24 hours each day. It is no good if the supply dries up in the summer or is vulnerable to a farmer upstream closing a valve or dumping a load of waste fertilizer in it!

The most cost efficient method for getting started is to dig Danish style earth ponds and install glass fiber sluices at the inlets and outlets. These are easily available from aquaculture suppliers. The ponds should be filled and checked carefully for flow and integrity before fish are stocked. These will be added to the ponds one or more times a year from good quality hatcheries.

The ponds will be covered with netting to keep predatory herons and cormorants out and also have automatic fish feeders attached. It is possible to get these fabricated locally at low cost or they can again be purchased from an aquaculture supplier. They must be filled regularly with an appropriate size of trout pellet for the size of fish that is bought from one of several commercial trout food producers.

The fish will take 12 to 18 months to grow to a portion size and may need grading along the way as trout tend to grow at different rates. When ready for harvesting the biggest will be graded out and the rest allowed to grow again until the next harvest date. Thus a smooth and regular output can be obtained.

For any landowner or person with access to a plot of land with a spring or stream setting up a modest trout farm business can provide a valuable side line income to any existing businesses.