Raising trout is a hands-on activity that engages students and helps to connect them to real-life water quality, fish and wildlife issues and problems...and inspires them to seek solutions. Watching fish hatch from eggs and develop from fry to fingerlings generates enthusiasm among students and helps them develop caring attitudes about fish species and their habitats. This is the first step in fostering in students a sense of stewardship for the planet.

The program encompasses not only science, but also language arts, mathematics, social studies and art. The program is easily adapted to the needs and abilities of students, and geared towards middle and high school students. The TIC activity guide is correlated to the New Jersey Science Standards.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife supplies brook trout eggs from the Pequest Trout Hatchery at no charge to teachers who want to raise trout in their classrooms. Members of the conservation group Trout Unlimited (TU) in New Jersey have pledged to support this program through their chapters. The program is also supported by the Ocean County Soil Conservation District and the Freehold Soil Conservation District.

Trout Unlimited members will assist teachers in setting up the aquaria in their classrooms. This includes supplying a product list, and sources of supply. Chapters have pledged financial support as well on a case-by-case basis. Some chapter members have expertise in aquatic insects and will work with kids on fly tying or aquatic insect identification.

Eggs are delivered in October, and during the course of the school year, students can observe the trout rearing process that culminates in stocking their brook trout into approved streams.

To get started with Trout in the Classroom, download the Trout in the Classroom Activity Guide, developed by New York State and modified for use in New Jersey.