Ph.D. (Zoology) / The contribution of genetics in animal husbandry and agriculture has long been recognised. The application of genetics in fish culture has not yet become established because both overseas and locally the focus was until recently still on culture techniques. In South Africa the only genetic data on the rainbow trout (Parasalmo mykiss) stock is limited to one electrophoretic survey (Op't Hoff et al. 1982). During 1982 to 1985 a survey was done of trout angling management in provincial trout angling waters by the Transvaal Division of Nature Conservation. The goal was to find and eliminate inhibiting factors affecting trout angling in order to provide a better service. Angling results were improved and management of trout waters brought into line with its own potential. The percentage returns of trout caught however, seemed to reach a level that could only be breached by genetically improving the trout strains used for stocking. The inherent inability of inbred domesticated P. mykiss strains to grow and survive in nature has been shown to affect its survival when stocked in streams and dams for angling purposes (Kincaid 1981; Ersbak & Haase 1983).