trout tails being clipped

[flyhigh123]

I read an article about another fish, and I think the reason hatcheries clip trout tails is to differentiate those trout from natural or reproduced trout from the body of water they are mixed into. This would be an indicator for management to see how a fish is reproducing in a body of water etc.

[seal]

Fins may also be clipped by the DFW when shocking to gauge lifespan and health of lake, this specifically includes largemouth bass.

[shinbob]

It's the adipose fin (the small on on the back) that they clip to differentiate wild vs. stocked.

I believe that the reason some stocked trout have no caudal fins (tails) is due to erosion, when too many are raised in too-small concrete raceways. But some people say that they purposely clip the caudals so that they can't jump out, or so that they don't put up too much of a fight.