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Saugeen River Steelhead Spring Release

Al Wilkens wanted to say a few words to the Ontario Steelheaders:

As Manager of the Lake Huron Fishing Club’s Kincardine Trout Hatchery I want to express my sincere appreciation to all the Ontario Steelheaders who gave up a major portion of “opening day” weekend to move the rainbows out of the Kincardine and Port Elgin fish hatcheries. Your enthusiasm and professionalism ensured that all of our releases went smoothly and all fish were delivered to their new homes safely and in good health. Without the help of the Ontario Steelheaders we would be taking a week or more to release all our fish rather than the day and 1/2 that it took this year. I don’t have the final numbers from Port Elgin yet but from Kincardine you helped move 18 loads of fish that totaled 56,324 fish weighing a total of 4,761 pounds. Not bad for a day’s work! Thanks!

Al Wilkens
Lake Huron Fishing Club

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30K Steelhead Rainbow Trout Sorted and Clipped

On Saturday, Feb 20, 30k Saugeen River bound steelhead rainbow trout were sorted and clipped in the Kincardine hatchery set for release in the Saugeen River later this year. President Karl Redin wants to acknowledge and thank all of the Ontario Steelheaders volunteers who came out this past Saturday to clip our yearling rainbows in the LHFC hatchery. They even set a new record for clipping of 30K rainbow yearlings in one day!

Its an uphill battle for us to sustain the Saugeen River steelhead rainbow trout fishery so its important we continue sustain programs and volunteers. I think we can all agree on the fact we all need to volunteer a bit more if we want the fishery to continue to exist. With climate change, politics and other obstacles its going to be a struggle. The entire steelhead population could collapse in a decade if stocking efforts are not sustained. Imagine our next generation may be catching the odd rainbow trout in an entire season.

I likely speak for all of the anglers who come and go from the Saugeen River with stories to tell, we greatly appreciate the effort these men and women who show dedication to ensure we have Saugeen steelhead year after year into the future.