When it comes to Mother Nature and her fish, a human virus has little impact, except for the volunteers who help her out.
Lake Huron Fishing Club (LHFC), like many other organizations is struggling in this time of COVID-19, but with strict protocols in place, the volunteers are having to carry on with caring for the young fish that will soon be released.
Thousands of fish to be released
The Lake Huron Fishing Club (LHFC) was founded in 1983 as a not-for-profit conservation organization in the Province of Ontario to ensure future generations will have quality fishing opportunities.
Club members are involved with erosion control, reforestation, stream improvements and fish restocking through two hatcheries, in Port Elgin and Kincardine, “… this year has been very successful in that we have raised over 100,000 salmon and 20,000 Brown trout,” says LHFC President, Dave Myette.
Fish tanks at Port Elgin hatchery
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Fisheries (MNRF) sets the quota for fish that can be raised and released and, over the years, the quota has seen a significant decrease.
Myette said that, this year, the Brown trout will be 18 months old before being released. “The bigger they are, the better their chance of survival. We have 6,000 here in Port Elgin and it is a real success story. We actually cut our allowed quota so that we could keep them that extra growing time of an additional six months. They have been a real success story as we lost a lot last year when we had major power failures throughout the winter that resulted in wild fluctuations of water temperature which Brown trout cannot handle.”
In Port Elgin (Saugeen Shores), the fish in the town’s ‘trout pond’ adjacent to the hatchery are also being fed daily by hatchery volunteers. “The pond is an opportunity for youngsters and families to come out and learn how to fish and release,” says Myette.
The Club of volunteers has provided vital fish statistics to the MNRF over many years to help the Ministry keep up to date with knowledge about Lake Huron and its fish habitat and livelihood.
While COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on most fundraising events, LHFC has announced some good news that the Chantry Chinook Classic Salmon Derby is, so far, going ahead this year 2021 and plans are underway.
The Chantry Derby draws in anglers from across Canada and internationally, with over a thousand attendees every year, which helps to support club operations and conservation efforts.
This year, there will be three separate dates – Spring, Summer and Fall.
Spring Derby: Victoria Day weekend (May 22 – 24)
Summer Derby: July 24th to August 2nd
Fall Derby: September 11th and 12th
The club has decided this year to use money raised through the sale of tickets to support the Derby and the hatcheries.
Previously, sponsors donated cash, gift certificates and in-kind donations however, this year is proving difficult for businesses to be able to contribute.
Tickets for the event will soon be ready for sale and will cost $50 per angler. Each angler in the boat, over 16 years-of-age, must have a ticket. If you purchase a ticket before May 1, anglers will be entered into an early bird (draw for a) prize of $500 cash. That draw will be held May 2nd.
