More than 45,000 trout have been added to Prince Edward Island ponds and rivers so far this year, helping to boost recreational fishing and promote spawning for the future.
This week 1,000 brook trout were released into Barlow’s Pond in Wellington. The Department of Communities, Land and Environment works with local watershed groups and the Abegweit Biodiversity Enhancement Hatchery to release thousands of fish into Island waterways each year.
“Since becoming minister responsible for the environment I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the fish stocking initiatives each season, from the spawning stage through to the release,” Communities, Land and Environment Minister Robert Mitchell said. “Local watershed members are doing great work in this area and I thank them for their partnership in helping ensure our Island fish population remains stable for the future.”
Fish are raised at the Abegweit Hatchery in Scotchfort with support provided through partners including the Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division of Communities, Land and Environment and the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund.
This year department staff helped release 40,000 small-sized trout in areas including the Trout River, Mill River, Wilmot River, North River, Clyde River, Montague River, Valleyfield River, Brudenell River and Little Miminegash River. There were also 4,000 larger brook trout released into ponds in western areas of the province including Borden, Alberton, Kensington, and West Point.