One of the biggest fundraisers of the year is coming up for the North Hastings Community Fish Hatchery.
They are hosting their dinner and silent auction on Saturday and while the event is now sold out, we had a chance to catch up with Hatchery president Kevin Vance to hear more about the volunteer run organization that raises trout and stocks them into publicly accessible lakes.
Vance explained how stocking the brook and lake trout can actually gage a lakes health.
“You need to have really good quality water to support those two species, they’re like the canary in the coal mine. You know that when (the lake) won’t support brook trout there’s something wrong with the water and if it will support it, then you’ve got good water.”
Vance commented on how this connects to the work of other area conservation organizations such as Watersheds Canada and Bancroft Area Stewardships council’s Shoreline Rehabilitation Program.
“If you look after the surrounding environment that those waterways pass through, then you’ll have good quality water and that of course will support the environment for those fish and everything else that lives in it (the lake).
“Its a whole eco system.”
Vance said people who want to tour the hatchery, can just call or email to set up a visit.
“The summer is a great time because kids are off and we do tours at the Fish Hatchery. We’ve done it for as few as two or three people, but we can do up to about 15.”
He also said they are always looking for helping hands in a wide range of areas.
“If somebody wants to come and help wash dishes at the Fish Hatchery dinner Saturday night we’d love to have you. And if they’re interested in volunteering, you know, to feed the fish over the summer or next winter. Or if they’re interested in the communications committee or the education committee or whatever they’re interested in.”
For people who want to stay up to date on the Hatchery, they now have a newsletter people can sign up for. You can learn more at their website:North Hastings Community Fish Hatchery – Stocking Area Lakes in North Hastings Ontario
