by Les Oke (c) 2001
|
April 18th was a sunny cold day with a biting north wind. Volunteer
members of COFA (Conservationists of Frontenac-Addington) arrived at Northport on the Bay
of Quinte to gather Walleye eggs for their hatchery. These volunteers started their own
hatchery to raise Walleye for local lakes through the MNR Fisheries Improvement
Program. I recently volunteered to help out and the Trip to Northport was my first
introduction to the fish hatchery process. The trip was organized by Fred Perry of
the group and for many of the volunteers it's the high point of the hatchery process.
The compassion of these individuals was overwhelming. One of the first female Walleye to be released after being milked of eggs was noticed floating on its side moments later. COFA President Ron Pethick wasted no time in wading to his chest, rescuing and reviving this most precious commodity. He spent 40 minutes at it until the fish finally swam away. While Steve Lawrence and I looked on Steve said, " In the 20 years I've been overseeing the collection of Walleye eggs I've never seen a more dedicated bunch of volunteers. There was some concern that maybe the Walleye wouldn't come into the Bay this year. They stayed out in the deep water of Lake Ontario all winter".
The fry were released the week of May 15. "Through the MNR Program they can only be released into lakes without a current Walleye population", said Ron Pethick. This means that new lakes are being stocked to increase our fishing opportunities. All that you have to do is ask your local conservation group where to fish or better yet get involved in the process. You'll learn a lot and develop a better appreciation of the hard work that goes into rearing these fish. |
Fishing Links
Ontario Fishing Discussion Board Subscribe to our fishing newsletter
|
Walleye are obtained from commercial fisherman Kendall Dewey on
the bay by MNR Fisheries Technicians Steve Lawrence and Rick Topping. After the MNR boat
came in the volunteers of COFA Sprang into action transferring male and female Walleye
into separate aerated tanks. I could tell by The smooth flow of the work that these
guys knew their stuff. The females were gently milked of eggs And the males of sperm into
stainless steel containers. Steve Lawrence from the MNR oversaw the operation. " The
eggs have to be stirred gently with turkey feathers for an hour", he told me as I
started to stir.
The north wind was really biting into us at this point
and we could only guess what commercial fisherman Kendall Dewey was facing on the open
lake. Steve Lawrence said, "He's tough as nails. An old seagull that subsists on
coffee and cigarettes". My numb fingers seemed unimportant as I contemplated all that
he faced in earning a living. The volunteers who were busy all around me voiced the same
sentiments.
There were three other groups there collecting eggs as
well. Floyd Deyo of Verona, MNR White Lake Fish hatchery staff, and a new hatchery run by
the Napanee Rod and Gun Club were all present. In all 6 million eggs were collected by the
volunteer groups and untold millions by White Lake staff. After Floyd Deyo measured out
everyone's eggs the volunteers of COFA put their 3.6 million eggs in coolers and headed
back to the hatchery. At the hatchery the eggs were transferred into glass jars where
water constantly circulates until they hatch. It takes 28 days and the atmosphere in the
hatchery is relatively sedate compared to our day at the Bay. "It's like
babysitting", said longtime volunteer George Hawley.