Wis. trout industry has 14 percent rise in revenue

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin trout production was down last year, but because the fish were worth more money the industry finished the year with a revenue increase of 14 percent.

Wisconsin producers reported selling 470,000 trout last year that were at least 12 inches long. That's down about 10 percent from in 2010. However, the average value per pound rose during that same period from $3.04 to $3.80.

Last year the state also produced 85,000 trout between 6 and 12 inches long. That's unchanged from the previous year, but again the price per pound went up slightly, from $3.91 to $3.97.

The net result is an industry that reported $1.9 million in sales. That's an increase of nearly 14 percent.