FISH MANAGEMENT AND STOCKING
Posted on March 3, 2009
Fish management and fish restocking are two of the most important issues that face fishermen of this century. Although we as fishermen have become better at catch and release and have at least started taking this concept seriously. Without the efforts of special interest groups like Muskies Canada, Metro East Anglers and the Ringwood Hatchery we the fishing community would have no more fish to catch. Between poor catch and release practices of the past, netting practices of certain groups, invading species, destruction of habitat and spawning areas, water pollution and lack of true enforcement of fishing laws we are for all intents and purposes facing what could be a completely collapsing fishery.
If not for the efforts of a few dedicated fishermen like those of Muskies Canada, Metro East Anglers and Ringwood Hatchery the rest of us would not have anything to fish for in a matter of a few short years. Every year these groups along with many others manage to hatch and release thousands of fry into different locations.
This year members of the Muskies Canada involved in the Lake Simcoe Restoration Project have released about 1800 Muskie fry in 6 different locations around Lake Simcoe. Many thanks to members of this group who supplied the pictures of the Musky fry below.
Believe it or not, this year is not a typical year for members of the Metro East Anglers and the Ringwood Hatchery. Although there will be at least 540 thousand Chinook Salmon, 20 thousand Rainbow Trout and 13 thousand Coho Salmon released this year which in themselves are really big numbers.
In a typical year the release numbers are at least 540 thousand Chinook Salmon, 20 thousand Rainbow Trout, 50 thousand Coho Salmon, 50 thousand Brown Trout and 70 thousand Atlantic Salmon. These fry are released into a number of areas of local rivers and are thus imprinted to those rivers which flow into Lake Ontario. These yearly releases of Salmon and Trout fry along with those released by other hatcheries help to keep the numbers of fish at a respectable level for the lake Ontario sport fishery. Without these groups the rest of the fishing community would soon find that the Great Lakes fishery would soon collapse.
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Volunteers help to catch spawning fish.
That is right people, VOLUNTEERS Most of these types of programs are run by volunteers,and they can always use your help! |
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They milk the eggs from the captured fish and they fertilize the eggs. |
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They hatch the eggs and they keep
the thousands of fry in large tanks |
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They restock all of the fry into area rivers |
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JUST SO LUCKY PEOPLE LIKE US
CAN CATCH FANTASTIC FISH LIKE THESE! |
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Use proper gear including hooks that cause less damage to the fish, proper nets, proper tools like side cutters for cutting hooks etc.
- Always use proper catch and release practices to minimize the shock to the fish.
- Take your time when you are releasing fish. Make sure that it has recovered enough that it will survive.
- Fish only where and when you are allowed to ensure that you are not catching spawning fish etc.
- Join angling groups that are active in restocking your local fishery
- Donate money or time to your local hatcheries
The Ringwood hatchery will be needing volunteers on March the 26th at 9 am.
Please contact andyr@sympatico.ca directly for details.
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