FAIRFIELD — The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is preparing to release some 2,000 brown trout into the Kennebec River as part of a study of trout populations in a stretch of the waterway.

The Morning Sentinel reports that state biologists asked for input from local fishermen during a meeting in Fairfield on Monday night.

Brown trout is not native to Maine but the species has been stocked in large amounts by the department over the past two decades.

Officials say 24 of the fish that will be released into the Kennebec this week will be tagged and studies over a two year period. Researchers are hoping to find out why the fish do not appear to be growing as large as they have in the past.

Monday’s session was the last of three public hearings.