Lesson Plans - Rainbow Trout Tales
Dive Into Aquaculture with Tommy Trout
Tommy Trout grew up on a farm…a fish farm. Here, in Idaho's Magic Valley, in the crystal clean waters that pour into the Snake River, Tommy and his friends were born and raised.
Pure, Clean Water
The water at the Clear Springs Rainbow Trout farms comes from natural underground springs. It's always perfectly clean, full of oxygen and 58° F, the perfect temperature for raising healthy Rainbow Trout.
Tommy's Birthday
All trout begin life as eggs. On the farm, they're fertilized and placed in cold water incubators with lots of oxygen, just the way they like it.
25 Days Old
Tommy's still an egg, but his eyes are showing.
35 Days Old
The eggs have hatched. Tommy is now called a "small fry." He and his friends live in indoor ponds called raceways until they are 3 inches long.
3-10 Months Old
The small fry move to outdoor raceways where they keep growing. Sometimes they are moved to ponds with other trout the same size. Trout farmers wear special waterproof pants called waders to work in the raceways.
10-12 Months Old - Full Grown
Tommy is an adult Rainbow Trout now. He is about 6 inches long and weighs 16–18 ounces.
