In Quebec, the practice of stocking fish is used for many purposes and is quite useful. Often, it simply serves to support a given fishery. For example, an outfitter who stocks certain lakes with brook trout will be able to attract more customers and lengthen the fishing season. This will have a positive impact on his business and his livelihood
In Quebec, the put-and-take approach to stocking fish is quite widespread and supports a high level of economic activity. I do not have any figures on that, but most outfitters use fish stocking one way or another.
Stocking is also useful to introduce species, or to reintroduce a species that had disappeared from lakes because of chemicals or for any other reason. In other cases, stocking ponds supports succession projects for young fishers. In Quebec, fish stocking serves many purposes.
When stocking takes place, certain problems may be detected. Provincial fish stocking guidelines allow us to properly manage the stocks. One cannot just stock any species, any way. The government monitors the state of fish farms and the way fish are farmed. The transportation and stocking of fish is managed so as to derive the greatest possible benefit. This approach allows us to avoid problems that may surface during stocking, for example introducing disease and parasites or disrupting the genetic chain of the fish population in any given lake.