I would just like to add to this discussion. Yes, tiger trout do occur naturally. They are a sterile hybrid cross between female brown trout and a male brook trout. Do to the fact that these two separate species share similar life histories allows the potential of their gene pool to mix when conditions are feasible. As of why two tiger trout where caught on the same day in the same stream could be of multiple reasons. One speculation would be that the two local populations are overlapping a major portion of their spawning times in the same spawning areas in consecutive spawning seasons. This could then give rise to more tiger trout of different age groups, thus increasing the anglers chances of hooking one of these hybrids. With that said, spawning sites on that stream could be very limited making the occurrence that much greater. Overall, this is a good sign because the two populations are recruiting themselves. However, if more and more tiger trout are being caught on this stream could be of concern and potentially should be investigated. As for the DNR if they have had tiger trout in there fisheries, I am really not sure. I strongly believe if they did they do not release them. However, from a historical point of view, I do know that at some level of genetic investigation, fisheries across the nation have tinkered with specie(s) before. Whether they used these forms for a fishery, I really can or cannot say. I hope this helps. Great discussion. disregard if this was posted multiple times. Sorry.
Always Watching The River Flow...
I strongly believe if they did they do not release them.
Yes. They don't deliberately create tigers, nor do they remove them during electro-shocking. Fortunately, we do not tinker with adding species to coldwater streams here in MN. Obviously, ALL of the trout in our streams are not native, but there's not a way to eliminate what's there and replace them with the genticially identical species of brook trout that were here before the settlers arrived.
FWIW, I have not run into any tigers since that day on that stream.
D.A.