April 6, 2011
- Life of a Fish in a Hatchery
- Family Fun
- Upcoming DEC Events
- Long Island
- Capital District - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Life of a Fish in a Hatchery
A fish hatchery is a place where large numbers of fish eggs are hatched in an enclosed environment. DEC has 12 fish hatcheries that raise almost one million pounds of fish each year. Why? Fish are raised at hatcheries and released or "stocked" into streams and lakes for several reasons. Some are stocked for recreational fishing, while others are stocked to restore native species to waters where they used to live.
Some fish produced at hatcheries develop from eggs taken from adult fish raised in the hatcheries. These adult fish are called broodstock. Another source of eggs is from adult fish in local waters. Hatchery staff catch the fish, collect the eggs and return the adult fish to the water unharmed. The eggs are incubated in special screen baskets, and, after the eggs hatch, the new fish (called sac fry) are moved into rearing units. Large fingerlings (fish less than one year old) and yearling fish (more than one year old) are moved to pond enclosures and are fed using demand feeders; i.e., food is dispensed when fish bump a rod under the water. Hatchery staff check the fish daily to make sure they are healthy and growing properly.
When the fish are big enough, they are sent for stocking by truck, barge, helicopter or airplane. Each fish makes it to its proper destination, ready to provide anglers with a quality fishing experience.
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Family Fun
Visit a Fish Hatchery
Fishing is a popular pastime in New York; each year, hundreds of thousands of anglers head to the state's numerous lakes, ponds, rivers and streams with the hope of catching some fish. Many of the fish they catch were probably raised in one of DEC's fish hatcheries. The staff spend a lot of time and effort raising various fish species, including several types of trout, salmon, walleye, lake sturgeon and paddlefish. Want to experience it firsthand? Visit a DEC fish hatchery today!
Fish Memories
Next time you are out fishing and catch a fish that you are proud of, preserve it with plaster to hang on your wall. Clean your fish, but leave the head on. Set it in a pan, and put it in the freezer overnight. The next day, roll out a slab of modeling clay bigger and thicker than your fish. Remove the fish from the pan and press it firmly into the clay. Gently lift the fish out of the clay, and put it back in the freezer. Mix some plaster of Paris in a container, following the directions on the package. Pour the plaster into the fish mold and let it dry completely. Remove the plaster fish from the mold, and, using the frozen fish as a guide, decorate it with acrylic paints. After the paint dries, you can spray it with a clear acrylic coating. Make sure to throw out the actual fish so that no one eats it. Now everyone will believe your fish story!
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Long Island
Spring Fishing Festival at Belmont State Park
Saturday, April 9 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost: $8 parking. Contact I FISH NY at 631-321-3510 for information and directions.
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Landscaping for Wildlife
Saturday, April 9 at 10:00 AM
Watchable Wildlife: The Bluebird of Happiness
Saturday, April 9 at 2:00 PM
Family Fun: Make a Bird House
Saturday, April 16 at 2:00 PM
Parent(s) and child(ren) must accompany each other. Please bring a hammer. Call 518-475-0291 to register.
Family Fun: Squirrels for Kids
Tuesday, April 19 at 10:00 AM
Parent(s) and child(ren) must accompany each other. Call 518-475-0291 to register by Wednesday, April 13.
Girl Scout Program: Birding by Ear
Wednesday, April 20 at 9:00 AM
For girl scouts age 12 and older, along with their parent(s)/troop leader(s). Call 518-475-0292 by Wednesday, April 13 to register your troop.
Event Descriptions at Five Rivers
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Discovery Hike
Sunday, April 17 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Call 518-456-0655 to register. Cost: $3.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
After-School Escape
Thursday, April 7 and 14 at 4:30 PM
For children in grades K-5. No registration required.
Owl Prowl
Friday, April 8 at 7:30 PM
For adults and children ages 8 and older.
Introduction to Geo-caching
Saturday, April 9 at 10:30 AM
For children ages 8 and older.
Creative Arts in the Outdoors: Sketching and Painting
Monday, April 11 at 6:00 PM
Creative Arts in the Outdoors: Creative Writing
Wednesday, April 13 at 6:00 PM
Creative Arts in the Outdoors: Photography
Friday, April 15 at 6:00 PM
Waking Up Our Senses
Saturday, April 16 at 2:00 PM
Family Night Walk
Monday, April 18 at 8:00 PM
CSI: Critter Sign Investigation
Tuesday, April 19 at 10:00 AM
For children ages 6-10.