Upgrade the Cold Lake Fish Hatchery

[Penner]

$10.3 million will be invested in upgrades to the Cold Lake Fish Hatchery. Refurbishment that features construction of a new recirculating aquaculture system, as well as upgrades to key operating and mechanical systems. This will allow for the reuse of water during operations, which will significantly reduce utility costs and water use.

Nice announcement for us outdoors people.

[58thecat]

I hope they open up to the public for yours...always cool places to go see and get educated....

[Smoky buck]

Those are some expensive upgrades hopefully the money was spent wisely. I know I could do a heck of a lot with 10.3 million and my background in aquaculture

Not familiar with this hatchery anyone know how big is it and what kind of numbers does it produce?

[SNAPFisher]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

Those are some expensive upgrades hopefully the money was spent wisely. I know I could do a heck of a lot with 10.3 million and my background in aquaculture

Not familiar with this hatchery anyone know how big is it and what kind of numbers does it produce?

Good questions.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cold-...78397008862560

The Cold Lake Fish Hatchery opened in 1987 and draws water from Cold Lake at a depth of 30m. The hatchery rears and stocks approximately 900,000 Tiger, Rainbow, Brook and Brown Trout per year. The Cold Lake Fish Hatchery is the only provincial hatchery that is designed to raise walleye.

Horrible and annoying music, just turn down the volume:
https://youtu.be/NN3I4VzGFL4

Looks to be decent size and capable. Would be good to know what they are upgrading. Could use one of these in each area of the province imho. Meaning size and ability to produce more than just trout.

[58thecat]

10 mil sounds like a lot but when it goes into refurbs etc the money goes quickly....no complaints here other then open to public fr tours etc..I remember on the island going to the fish hatchery...always had fun...throwing pellets of food in the water and watching the feeding frenzy....

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by SNAPFisher

Good questions.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cold-...78397008862560




Horrible and annoying music, just turn down the volume:
https://youtu.be/NN3I4VzGFL4

Looks to be decent size and capable. Would be good to know what they are upgrading. Could use one of these in each area of the province imho. Meaning size and ability to produce more than just trout.

Thanks for the links

Looks like a nice hatchery. It would not take much to eat up 10.3 million in a facility of that style and size. Closed systems like that are more complexed than most realize. If I am in that area it is something I would find interesting to check. Even though I no longer mess around with fish I still miss it a bit

Hopefully some positives come from the upgrades

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

10 mil sounds like a lot but when it goes into refurbs etc the money goes quickly....no complaints here other then open to public fr tours etc..I remember on the island going to the fish hatchery...always had fun...throwing pellets of food in the water and watching the feeding frenzy....

I know all too well how easy it is to spend money on these kind of outfits

They do go crazy at feeding time. My son thought is was a good idea to go swimming with the 12-15 inch fish well they were being fed at my old operation one day. He only did it once when he learned trout will bite you during a feeding frenzy

[calgarychef]

What kind of fish do they raise?

I “think” sask. has a more widespread restocking program than we do.
T would be nice to see more catch and keeping in Alberta...I’m hungry.

[WinefredCommander]

Originally Posted by calgarychef

What kind of fish do they raise?

I “think” sask. has a more widespread restocking program than we do.
T would be nice to see more catch and keeping in Alberta...I’m hungry.

Sask only raises fish to 4"

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by WinefredCommander

Sask only raises fish to 4"

Definitely way easier, faster and cheaper to pump out 4 “ fish vs 12”

[WinefredCommander]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

Definitely way easier, faster and cheaper to pump out 4 “ fish vs 12”

No argument there. Works when you have stocking locations that overwinter, unfortunately that's not always possible in Alberta hence the larger size stocked.

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by WinefredCommander

No argument there. Works when you have stocking locations that overwinter, unfortunately that's not always possible in Alberta hence the larger size stocked.

Most place stock keeper size fish regardless of survival because the growth rate is much faster in the hatchery. Personally in my opinion if you are stalking sterile fish and creating a fishery that will not have natural reproduction larger fish are the best option. If developing a fishery that will be stocked with fertile fish and natural spawning the smaller fish is a good cheaper way to boost a population or gamble on creating a new fishery

Both have there time and place in my opinion

[SNAPFisher]

Originally Posted by calgarychef

What kind of fish do they raise?

This is what the MyWildAlberta stated:

The Cold Lake Fish Hatchery opened in 1987 and draws water from Cold Lake at a depth of 30m. The hatchery rears and stocks approximately 900,000 Tiger, Rainbow, Brook and Brown Trout per year. The Cold Lake Fish Hatchery is the only provincial hatchery that is designed to raise walleye.

I did some research a couple of years ago on what Wisconsin does. They have a lot more hatcheries and a lot ton more private hatcheries that work with government. Here is a link of species on this page:

https://www.wisconsinlpr.com/lake-an...fish-stocking/

Just a tad more diverse than Alberta but they also have the environmental factors to support the longer list. Just interesting to see pike, perch and walleye, musky and even forage species.