New video shows fish pump replacing the bucket brigade in moving fish from pond to stocking truck
SPOONER – Walleye stocking is still underway from the state hatchery producing the most of anglers’ favorite fish, with state crews trading the longtime bucket brigade for a mechanical method of moving fish from the ponds into stocking trucks.
A new video shows staff at the Gov. Tommy G. Thompson State Fish Hatchery using a fish loader to collect fish from a pond for stocking into state waters where natural reproduction isn’t sufficient to sustain the walleye population. The video was taken earlier this month as crews transferred walleye using the machine while local lake association, tourism and fishing club members looked on.
“The hatchery staff at Gov. Thompson fish hatchery have adapted a piece of equipment used to harvest coldwater species like trout and salmon to handle coolwater species like musky and walleye,” says Al Kaas, statewide propagation chief. “Some adjustments have been needed, and through their creativity and persistence, the staff have prevailed. Each time they use it the loader works better for staff and the fish.”
New hatchery supervisor Neal Rosenberg had previously used the fish loader while running a DNR coldwater facility in northeastern Wisconsin and wanted to use it to harvest the coolwater fish they raise to help ease the physical toll on his staff and on the fish.
With increased funding provided by the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative, the hatchery has increased its production of large fingerling walleye and has already transferred into stocking trucks more than 200,000 of the large walleye fingerlings. These larger fish, which are also known as “extended growth" walleye, are about 7 inches long. Harvesting of the ponds will continue into next week.
Kaas says DNR has applied for a grant to help purchase more of the loaders to reduce staff injuries and improve their working conditions, while reducing stress on the fish to increase the odds they will survive in the wild and contribute to Wisconsin’s outstanding fisheries.