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+--- Thread: N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- April 12, 2007 (/showthread.php?tid=325872)
N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT -- April 12, 2007 - FishNews - 04-12-2007
In today's report, hatcheries supervisor Robert Fawcett presents the annual plan for growing and stocking trout throughout the state.
Because of continuing winter weather, stocking is getting off to a slow start this year. These waterbodies were stocked last week (April 2-6): Silver Lake in Harrisville, Whittemore Lake in Bennington, Hunts Pond in Hancock, Mont Williams Pond in Weare and Frenches Pond in Henniker. When the stocking trucks really start rolling, we'll keep you up-to-date!
Buy your fishing license and salmon permit online, any time -- at http://www.nhfishandgame.com. One-day licenses for New Hampshire residents are just $10, and annual licenses -- just $35 and good through Dec. 31 -- are still the best bargain around. Why not bring a new fishing buddy on your next trip! Don't forget -- kids under 16 fish free in N.H.
Fisheries staff are looking for volunteers to help stock Atlantic salmon fry into the Merrimack River basin; the Upper Connecticut River watershed in northern N.H.; and the Monadnock region's Connecticut River watershed. Want to help out? Get times/dates and other information at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Newsroom/News_2007/News_2007_Q2/Fry_Stock_Vols_040907.htm.
Jump start your fishing season by coming to the first-ever "ALL-FISHING EXPO" at Fish and Game in Concord on Saturday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission! More than 30 exhibitors will be on hand with the latest boats, rods, reels, lures and baits. Seminars on fishing lures and gear, kayak fishing and hot tips for striped bass action. Everything for average Joes to fishing pros! Stay tuned for more info.
If you know someone who might like to sign up for the Fishing Report, send them to http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Inside_FandG/join_mail_list.htm.
For past fishing reports and all your NH fishing info, visit Fish and Game's fishing page at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm.
Fish New Hampshire and relax... We have what you're looking for.
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WE HAVE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR: QUALITY HATCHERY-RAISED TROUT
By Robert Fawcett, Supervisor of Hatcheries
New Hampshire Fish and Game's Fish Culturists and Conservation Officers are releasing over 200 tons of hatchery-raised trout this spring. Whether you fish for trout in waters open to fishing year-round or trout ponds that open the traditional fourth Saturday in April (April 28 this year), Inland Fisheries Division Management will provide excellent angling opportunities. Stocking is starting later than last year; there's still some ice to melt and more winter weather on tap today for most of New Hampshire. You can follow the weekly stocking at the Fish and Game website: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm.
THE PLAN FOR 2007 STOCKING CALLS FOR 445,645 Eastern brook trout yearlings: 57.2% to streams, 42.8% to lakes and ponds; 15,615 two-year-olds: 34.7% to streams, 65.3% to lakes and ponds; 1,760 "three-year-pluses" (surplus brood fish): 35.8% to streams, 64.2% to lakes and ponds. Also:<br />
* 277,105 rainbow trout (RT) yearlings: about 40% to streams, 60% to lakes and ponds.<br />
* 129,600 brown trout (BT) yearlings: 88,940 to streams, 40,660 to lakes and ponds.<br />
* 5,000 tiger trout (TT). Tigers are a cross between a brook trout male and a brown trout female, and have the potential to keep growing to a trophy size if not hooked and cooked at a younger age. They are a cross between two not very closely related species, so a small percentage survive to get stocked.
This year's brook trout are around 11-12 inches, the rainbows are 12-14", and the brown trout are 10-11". There will definitely be some nice big rainbow trout surprises in the southwestern region again this year. Look for four-pounders, and maybe even larger, because some of the fish in the pond have evaded the seine for a number of years.
The Fish Culturist's mission is "to produce fish of the right species, size, and timing to fill the gaps in the natural eco-cycle, to contribute to management goals for a wide variety of users, and restoration of self-sustaining native fish populations."
Check out the number, age and species of fish to be produced at New Hampshire's six state fish hatcheries in 2007-2008 in a chart available in the online version of this report: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/Fishing_Reports/Fishing_Reports_2007/fishing_report_040507.htm.
FISH CULTURE 101: If a waterbody has plenty of natural habitat capacity to meet all phases of a fish species' life cycle, then fish populations are self-sustaining and don't need to be supplemented with hatchery-reared fish. But where there are gaps in that natural habitat capacity, hatchery resources are used to provide a fishery that would otherwise not occur for some reason -- for example, lack of adequate habitat for spawning or juvenile rearing, but plenty of habitat for grow out. "Room and board" provided by a hatchery stand in for natural habitat and food organisms. Fish culturists nurture fish eggs through the fry and fingerling stages, until they're large enough to be released and survive in lakes, ponds and rivers. This helps the cycle complete itself, and allows New Hampshire's trout and salmon fisheries to remain productive.
KEEPING TROUT HEALTHY: Fish and Game's new fish pathologist, Dr. Joel A. Bader, has identified some bacteria responsible for a significant loss of fish shortly after initial feeding due to disease. We have applied for an investigative new animal drug (INAD) permit to treat with chloramine-t to improve trout survival.
Fish Culturists face challenges every year, and this next year will be no exception, having to manage around pipe consolidation projects, and installation of 24-hour composite sampler vaults, valves, and buildings at Berlin, Warren, and Twin Mountain hatcheries for treatment and monitoring of discharge water. Composite sampling methods must begin at all three of these facilities after November 30, 2007. Environmental regulations limit the use of chemical treatments. Hopefully the new drug, and having Joel's expert help, will reduce some of the challenges.
The department plans to construct a new water supply pipeline to Powder Mill Hatchery, and install ultra-violet treatment units to reduce our need for chemical therapeutants to control parasites and disease at our largest production facility. All of these projects are necessary for future trout production.
Bryant Pond in Canaan was lost to trout management because we do not stock unless there is public access, and, unfortunately, public access was lost at Bryant Pond during this past year. Notification occurred after this year's stocking schedules went out, so 640 EBT yearlings will no longer be needed for management of that waterbody. You can help preserve access for fishing and hunting by keeping in mind basic good landowner relations. For a new "Angler's Guide to Landowner Relations," visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/anglers_landowner_relations.htm.
Your local hatchery workers do a fantastic job of producing and distributing the large put-and-take trout you will have the opportunity to catch this spring. There's a lot going on behind the scenes to keep New Hampshire's fisheries healthy -- and anglers happy. Have a good year of fishing and enjoying wild New Hampshire.