The 1979 State of Stocking
Every fish stocking event US state agencies reported in 1979, normalized into one dataset — totals by state and species, how the year compares to 1978, and the biggest movers.
1,871
stocking events
2
states reporting
17
species stocked
+126%
vs 1978
Agencies reported roughly 42,419,611 fish where a count was given — but only 100% of 1979 events include a quantity, so event counts are the reliable headline; treat fish totals as a floor.
Biggest increases vs 1978
Biggest decreases vs 1978
By state
By species
| Species | Events | Fish* | vs 1978 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | 758 | 6,435,637 | +37% |
| Brown Trout | 270 | 888,751 | — |
| Cutthroat Trout | 209 | 1,937,230 | +26% |
| Brook Trout | 132 | 274,355 | +725% |
| Walleye | 114 | 17,126,629 | +1529% |
| Northern Pike | 54 | 1,944,104 | +1250% |
| Largemouth Bass | 41 | 151,701 | +95% |
| Lake Trout | 37 | 1,145,365 | +429% |
| Coho Salmon | 34 | 5,262,079 | — |
| Chinook Salmon | 32 | 3,882,733 | — |
| Kokanee | 26 | 2,488,456 | +8% |
| Yellow Perch | 17 | 281,642 | +325% |
| Smallmouth Bass | 14 | 108,627 | +75% |
| Muskellunge | 13 | 34,643 | — |
| Bluegill | 12 | 83,324 | — |
| Black Crappie | 3 | 568 | +200% |
| Channel Catfish | 2 | 30,000 | -78% |
Other years
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Use this report. The full 1979 dataset is a free CSV download (CC BY 4.0): 1979 stocking events (CSV). *Fish totals cover only events reporting a count — see the methodology and how to cite.