Here in Missouri, most of the trout waters are stocked by the state and feds. They have good regs in place to promote put and grow, catch and release as well as catch and eat. There is a small handful of spring fed streams where the rainbows are wild, stocked in the late 1800's.

There are many types of people, many types of anglers with different ideas/skills for all kinds of fishing. IMO, they all should have the opportunity to catch fish, trout in particular.

I own and manage a fishing report on a trout tailwater. I see all those types - see the enjoyment it brings when they arrive, unpack their gear and head out on the lake. I've been at this long enough to see a generation come and go and hear the relatives tell of how this fishing experience was special to those who have passed. I also see the little ones brought up to appreciate the sport of trout fishing.

If all we had were wild trout, a vast percentage of the population would have no chance to enjoy fishing for them. Actually, trout are not native at all to the Midwest.

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19071

Here's a discussion on my forum we had about this very subject. Might be interesting reading.

Very few trout in the US don't come from planted roots, I usually avoid what I call "straight off the truck" trout but I don't think that they are cheating or unsporting in any way.

I think its good its a great way to get people into fishing and without it many places would have no where decent to fish. Although i think there are some spots it is a little to exterme i mean catching a fish every cast is a little to much for me but some people really enjoy it that way. So yeah i agree with babsfish4life as long as they are not the straight off the truck variety it seems like fair game

The fish have the option to take the bait, jsut like other natural fish. Stockies may be concintrated, but I feel like it is still sporting.