The Secret Behind Vermont's Young Fish

  • Print
Details
Created on Thursday, 01 November 2012 15:46
Written by Peter Lipomi

fish hatcheryNEWARK - The Bald Hill Fish Culture Station breeds Atlantic Salmon, Walleye, Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout to stock local ponds and streams. 

These fish only remain inside for a few months before they brace the winter months like any other fish, outside cold that circulates from local, Beaver Pond.

But there's a secret few know about the hatchery's fish that might better your chances at landing the big one.

"These fish have been in the hatcheries nationwide, the rainbow and brown trout, for probably over 100 years. So they are very domesticated, they will actually swim towards you when you walk towards them," Supervisor Chris Thompson said.

Thompson says the result is the same when stocking local fish in local ponds and streams. The fish are more likely to look for food toward the shoreline, fortunately for the anglers, that's a pretty short line.

"Whereas the Salmon we have, they are a more wild species and have more fear. They will actually swim away from you when you walk towards them."

The Salmon are stocked in a nearby stream leading to Lake Memphremagog where the water is deep and cold.

Chris Thompson earned his Bachelor's Degree in Fish and Wildlife Science at the University of Rhode Island. He has been working for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation for fifteen years and plans on working there for another fifteen.

The Bald Hill Fish Culture Station is mostly funded by hunting and fishing licenses. The hatchery also provides salmon eggs to other stations in Vermont.