Based on the concept of nutritional programming in higher vertebrates, we tested whether an acute hyperglucidic stimulus during early life could induce a long-lasting effect on carbohydrate utilisation in carnivorous rainbow trout. The trout were fed a hyperglucidic diet (60% dextrin) at two early stages of development: either at first-feeding (3 days, stimulus 1) or after yolk absorption (5 days, stimulus 2). Prior and after the hyperglucidic stimulus, they received a commercial diet until juvenile stage (>10g). Fish which did not experience the hyperglucidic stimuli served as a control. The short and long term effects of the stimuli were evaluated by measuring the expression of five key genes involved in carbohydrate utilisation: -amylase, maltase (digestion), SGLT1 (intestinal glucose transport), glucokinase (GK, glycolysis) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase, gluconeogenesis). The hyperglucidic diet rapidly increased expressions of maltase, -amylase and GK in stimulus 1 fish and only of maltase in stimulus 2 fish, probably because of a lower plasticity at this later stage of development. In the final challenge test with juveniles fed a 25% dextrin diet, both digestive enzymes were upregulated in fish which had experienced the hyperglucidic stimulus at first-feeding, confirming the possibility to modify at long term some physiological functions in rainbow trout. In contrast, no persistent molecular adaptations were found for the genes involved in glucose transport or metabolism. Also growth and postprandial glycaemia were unaffected by the stimuli. In summary our data show that a short hyperglucidic stimulus during early trout life may influence permanently carbohydrate digestion.