Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship: Fall ...

by Liz Wolff

Salmon season is hitting its peak, and the river is packed with fishermen looking to catch chinook and coho salmon on their way upstream to spawn. Some of these fish are striving to reach the Salmon River Fish Hatchery, returning to the place where their life began. Like many migratory fish species, salmon are able to return to their home streams by following the unique chemical composition of the water where they imprinted. Salmon raised at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery "imprinted" on the combination of well water and stream water used at the hatchery, and are now returning there in great numbers. Soon it will be time for hatchery staff to begin the "egg take" process, the first step in raising the next generation of salmon for stocking in Lake Ontario and its tributaries, including the Salmon River. The Salmon River Fish Hatchery, located on County Route 22 in Altmar, NY, is a great stop for anglers looking to learn more about the fish they're hoping to catch. The main building is currently open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day, and has numerous informational displays about the hatchery, the Salmon River, and the sportfish species found there. The facility is also great for families and offers a children’s area with coloring sheets, posters, and kid-friendly educational materials as well as an auditorium that plays a series of videos about fishing and the spawning process. This time of year, another attraction is the fish ladder where you can watch as thousands of fish make their way up to the hatchery. Left: A salmon attempts to jump up the "waterfall" at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery. Salmon instinctually want to go up stream to spawn. Features like the fish ladder and waterfall help draw them closer to the hatchery. A gate is in place (Right) to stop the fish from traveling upstream past the hatchery, though some still make it over the gate when the water is higher. Photos by River Steward Liz Wolff. Tours are sometimes held for various groups at the hatchery...

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