Boréal students release 10,000 rainbow trout

Collège Boréal, in conjunction with the Ministry of Natural Resources, released almost 10,000 young rainbow trout in the Greater Sudbury area last month.

The idea is to contribute to the balance of the Greater Sudbury’s lakes while providing a unique training opportunity to the students registered in the Fish and Wildlife Management Technologist program at Collège Boréal.

“Coldwater recirculation hatchery is used for teaching and research and has been designed to produce salmonids with a minimum of space and groundwater,” said André Ferron, Collège Boréal natural resources professor.

“Over the years, our students have been able to raise Arctic char, speckled trout and rainbow trout. Their experience is similar to that of a fish hatchery technician, starting with the incubation of the eggs, to husbandry from fry to adults, as well as the transportation and fish stocking.”

Since its inception in 1995, it is the largest fish-stocking effort to date by Collège Boréal fish hatchery which saw the release of specimens measuring 10 centimetres and weighing about 15 grams.

Fish produced each year at the hatchery are also used as stocking fry for private ponds. After improvement to the rearing systems, this year was exceptionally successful and opens the door to new horizons.

Collège Boréal hopes to enter into a long-term partnership with the MNR and the local fish and game clubs to supply them with rainbow trouts and contribute to more recreational fishing opportunities in the Greater Sudbury area.