Salmon River Fish Hatchery; 2008 Annual Report
By Doug Fuegel
The news was definitely upbeat concerning salmon egg taking and the salmon migration in the Salmon River this fall compared to the dismal news of 2007. Salmon River Hatchery Manager Andy Greulich presented his annual report to local anglers and angler organizations at a recent hatchery gathering in Altmar, NY.
Salmon River anglers as well as open lake fishermen well remember the effects Mother Nature had on the 2007 fall migration of Chinooks and Coho salmon a year ago. Central New York entered into last fall with one of the driest years on record that continued well into late October. The river had little water; the Salmon River Reservoir was approximately 14 feet below normal and above normal temperatures kept the river water above 67° past peak migration around Columbus Day. Few salmon entered the river and eggs deposited failed to hatch as evident by the very poor natural reproduction assessment conducted in the spring of 2008. Many of the eggs gathered during the 2007 migration failed to "eye up" that led to less than half the normal salmon stocking in the spring of 2008.
This year Mother Nature did a 180 degree turn around, Central New York could boast only one above 90° date this year and rain fall has been well above normal with October measuring more than eight inches of rain. Needless to say the river was in prime condition for the salmon migration, anglers enjoyed a very successful season on Chinooks and by October 15th Greulich reported the full compliment of 2.6 million Chinooks eggs taken in just four days.
Greulich stated the water temperature in the river was near perfect measuring 56° by early October and dropping daily that
brought in more than 8,000 Chinooks by mid-month. According to Greulich Coho salmon follow Chinooks a bit later but at this meeting time more than half, 720,000 Coho eggs had been taken of the target 1.5 million. Greulich reported "jacks" young salmon numbers entering the hatchery was about normal indicating a very stabile salmon population in the open lake. Scott Pindell, Regions 7 fishery biologist reported salmon entering the hatchery this year averaged two to three pounds heavier than last year indicating good growth and abundant forage base.
Abundant water supply of the right temperature has plagued the hatchery however Gruelich reported a new deep well just 40 feet from the old existing well is capable of 475 GPM of constant cold water complimenting the shallow well warmer river water; ideal for the production of steelhead. Greulich reported a new pump designed to move all species from their holding tanks directly to the new marking trailer will greatly reduce handling mortality.
All the news at this annual gathering was not positive, the dismal fiscal position of New York's finances has hit the DEC and the hatchery system. The state hiring freeze has hit this hatchery; Greulich is short one technical position that will not be filled anytime soon. Additionally all repair funds have been frozen and although the states hatchery truck fleet is in deplorable condition no new hatchery trucks are in the foreseeable future. Greulich did report the state had purchased one new truck that is up for grabs and he is hopeful his Salmon River hatchery will receive it.
All indications point to a great 2009 Lake Ontario fishing season and those attending this annual hatchery update were amazed at the progress and production this hatchery outputs with the limited resources.
