Trout Canada

Trout farming in Canada is a significant industry, with Ontario being the largest producer. Trout is farmed in every province, with the majority raised in freshwater land-based hatcheries before being transferred to freshwater net pens in lakes. The process involves hatching eggs and raising the fish until they reach a suitable size for transfer to net pens, where they continue to grow until they reach market weight.

Rainbow trout and Brook trout are the most common freshwater fish farmed in Canada, with Rainbow trout being the most important aquaculture species in Saskatchewan. Ontario is the largest trout producer in Canada, with trout production concentrated in open-water net pen systems situated in Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, primarily surrounding Manitoulin Island.

Trout farming is comprehensively regulated at the federal, provincial, and territorial levels to ensure high standards of food safety, animal health, and environmental sustainability. The industry has seen efforts to reduce reliance on fish meal by substituting other protein sources such as soybean and corn meal, with the percentage of fish meal used in trout feeds decreasing by about 50% in the past decade.

In addition to commercial production, there are many privately owned operations that grow trout for enhancement or recreational fishing purposes. Trout is the third most valuable species raised in Canada in terms of farm-gate value.

Trout Production in Canada

OTC

Springhills

Hamilton's

Smoky Trout Farm

Ackenberry

Les Bobines