Fish release had students in a frenzy

By Vicki Winger

The pond at Rotary Park was stocked with 1,500 Rainbow Trout on May 14. For many years it has been the tradition of the Whitecourt Fish and Game Association to release the fish with the help of the Grade five students from École St. Joseph School. The 80 students were overjoyed when the truck hauling the fish arrived at the pond. Lori Simard, one of the Grade five teachers said, “Each year, our students are invited to join in the fish release as it coincides with our Science Wetlands Unit.” Greg Gilbertson with the Fish and Game Association said, “We’ve been stocking this pond annually for about 15 years now. It’s for the enjoyment of the children and their parents. The Alberta Fish Release Program is a wonderful thing and it sure makes a lot of people happy.”

Students could touch and view the fish up close as the first round of release was done in buckets while the remainder slid down the clear hose while teachers and students all watched in amazement. “Look, they have their own waterslide,” shouted several of the students.

Most fish are caught each season by the public but are also the main food source for loons and other visiting birds along with the Osprey which nest on the north side of the pond. According to Gilbertson, it is not known how many fish are caught annually, but those not caught survive the winter in the pond as there’s adequate oxygen under the ice to sustain life.

Shawn Berube from the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery arrived at 11:30 a.m. with the truckload of fish. The hatchery is one of four provincially operated facilities run by Alberta Environment and Parks and plays a big part in the Fish Stocking Program for over 200 lakes and ponds.

Berube goes through a process of releasing the fish into Rotary Park pond. Firstly, the water quality is tested. Dissolved oxygen levels are tested and must be over five grams per millilitre; PH results must be 6.5 to a maximum of nine with seven being neutral which is ideal. The temperature of the pond water is then checked. It’s important to be the correct temperature in order that the fish not suffer shock which could result in death.

Disposable clear hoses are then hooked up to the holding tanks, and the tank gates are opened releasing the fish into the water. Disposable hoses are used to prevent the spread of the whirling disease to other bodies of water.

The average length of the fish released is around 20 centimetres and are all female. “They are sterile to prevent them from multiplying for safety reasons. We don’t want them escaping and reproducing with other natural fish. This is a put and take idea for stocking,” Berube said.

Gilbertson reminds the public to come and enjoy Kids Fishing Day on June 2 at the pond in Rotary Park. The Fish and Game Association will be hosting the event and will have several members available to assist the children. This is a free event and is an opportunity to learn how to catch and clean a trout or release them properly. Fishing rods and hooks will be available. There are unique regulations to fish here. Anyone 16 years old and older must be accompanied by children under 16 years of age to fish here legally. Alberta Fishing Regulations apply, and you must have a licence.