2023 LOTSA Pen Rearing Final Wrap Up.

[Instigator]

It has been another successful Pen Rearing project with completion of the final major task being the removal and cleaning of the Pens this past Saturday. As written in previous updates, the chinook salmon and steelhead were received on April 4^th at a size of 104/lb. for the chinook and 30/lb. for steelhead.  On April 25^th when released the steelhead averaged 16/lb. and on the 26^th the chinook averaged 52 to 54/lb. 

This project, and many others, has been consistently putting out quality product since they started nearly 20 years ago.  The success of these projects along the Lake Ontario coast of NY is due to the many volunteers and cooperation with NYDEC.  The DEC knows the value of the pen rearing projects and has been extremely helpful with the supplies that are needed to keep these projects running.  The future of these projects relies on the cooperation between anglers and DEC whether its ECON Officers, Biologists or the Fish and Wildlife Technicians conducting the Angler Surveys.  So, when you see someone from the DEC, please thank them for the job that they are doing and help them do their job by cooperating with them. 

The key to managing this incredible fishery starts with you. The biggest thing that you can do to help other than volunteering is to provide accurate information to the Creel survey teams when you see them.  The new DNA tracing that DEC is using is crucial to manage the fishery more effectively in the future.  Cooperation is key.

Back to Pen Rearing, these projects take a tremendous amount of work, effort, and money.    I would like to thank all the volunteers who donated time and money to the project this year, the weather forecasts were terrible for the days that we picked but somehow, we had perfect days for almost all the evolutions.  Thanks to NYSDEC, Town of Newfane and the Town of Newfane Marina, The Greater Niagara Fishing Expo, Eastside Market, the Boat operators (Capt. Vince Pierleoni, Capt. Andrew Bartlett and Joe Derda) and the individuals who load the automatic feeders every day (Vince Pierleoni, Dennis Stabler, Jim Hoffman and Anthony Ellis).  We also had some monetary donations that will remain nameless, you know who you are, Thank you!

With some luck and a whole lot of hard work, these projects will continue to provide quality King Salmon and Steelhead for us all to enjoy well into the future!  Thanks again to all that have made this project a success.

 

Alan Sauerland

LOTSA Pen Rearing Coordinator & VP.