Trout in the Classroom

06/01/2026

Heidi Richard's 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders at Forest Carter School wrote some spectacular goodbye letters to their beloved trout, which they just released in Prosser Creek Reservoir today!

05/18/2026

Release day is almost upon us, and it's time to say goodbye to your grown-up fish! Make sure you have decided when and where (according to your certified release site) you will be releasing your fish.

Please share any photos or updates with us :)

05/05/2026

Special thanks to Bass Pro Cabela's Outdoor Fund (Bass Pro Shops), Trout Unlimited, and UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center for supporting new aquariums, chillers, and equipment for the 2026 Trout in the Classroom program. For teachers in the Tahoe-Truckee region who are interested in participating in the 2027 Trout in the Classroom program, we may have additional aquarium equipment to support your participation. Please reach out to [email protected].

05/04/2026

A reminder to make sure you remove any fuzzy, white, or abnormal eggs from your tanks as soon as possible. Here is an example of an egg that should be taken out:

04/29/2026

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout eggs have arrived, and we are thrilled to watch students take on the important role of caring for these fish and deepen their connection to our local watershed.

Here is an example of art created by students at Live Oak Waldorf School that you can add to your curriculum - Watercolor Lahonton Cutthroat Trout

Use these trout outlines to create stencils for the fish, watercolor on white construction paper, then outline in thin black marker for more detail!

Can't wait to see all the fin-tastic drawings :)

04/22/2026

Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT) eggs will be delivered to all 36 participating schools on Monday, April 27. The exact timing of egg delivery is hard to estimate, but all eggs will be delivered between 10 a.m. and the end of the school day. In addition to LCT eggs, your sponsor will bring you: permits to be posted near your tanks, a small cup of trout food for when your fish swim up, and the "When Will They Hatch" handout/cheat sheet.

Participating teachers, make sure your tank is set up, your chiller is turned on, and the water is chilled to 52-56 degrees Fahrenheit. Optional: You can put a cover over the tank to protect eggs from UV light. Plan to change the filter every 4 weeks and add water to the tank to account for evaporative loss during the program.

04/10/2026

To help deepen your students' connection with the trout, here are some language arts lesson plans that can be adjusted for all ages. These include:

1) Love Letters to the Trout
2) Observing Trout as a Scientist and Cartoonist
3) The Web of Life Game
4) Crumpled Watershed Model

https://www.troutintheclassroom.org/lesson-plans/visual-and-language-arts/love-letters-to-the-trout/

https://www.troutintheclassroom.org/lesson-plans/visual-and-language-arts/observing-trout-as-a-scientist-and-cartoonist/

https://www.troutintheclassroom.org/lesson-plans/stem-learning/the-web-of-life-game/

https://www.troutintheclassroom.org/lesson-plans/stem-learning/crumpled-watershed-model/

04/01/2026

To help your students understand how the LCT is making a comeback in our watershed, here is a helpful link to share.

The Lahontan Cutthroat Trout's comeback highlights successful conservation efforts, cultural significance, and ecological restoration, proving that lost species can thrive again

03/25/2026

The video of the 2026 Trout in the Classroom teacher training is live on YouTube at https://youtu.be/GAgjFXes-7k?si=BaN2vagYLwyRCe-1 if anyone wants to rewatch the training.

This is a recording of the 2026 Virtual Training for the Trout in the Classroom Program. This training covers everything teachers need to know to lead their ...

03/20/2026

As you patiently wait for the arrival of your trout, make sure you have reviewed the maintenance checklist for fish and tank care!

Trout Care Fish Feeding Maintenance Checklists for fish and tank care Preparing Your Tank: Pre-Cycling Troubleshooting FAQs Trout and Salmon Transport Trout Care FAQs Vacation Plans