Lake Huron Fishing Club celebrates 40th Anniversary of Port Elgin Hatchery

The Lake Huron Fishing Club (LHFC) celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Port Elgin Fish hatchery on Saturday, March 9th, with an Open House where visitors of all ages had the opportunity to tour the hatchery, ask questions and take part in a free BBQ. Despite cool, wet weather, there was a significant turn-out for the Open House.

                  Visitors gathered for the free BBQ hosted by Vanderwerf’s Independent Grocer

For 40 years, the Hatchery in Port Elgin has raised and cared for thousands of Trout and Salmon (fry) that volunteers transport to the Saugeen River where they make their way to Lake Huron.

The Hatchery itself is run with two water supplies – the Town Pond, which is the hatchery’s preferred supply because of it’s natural spring water that bubbles up from the bottom.  The other supply is from a well because it is warmer and, therefore, the ratio can be adjusted to give an optimal temperature of 9 to 10 degree water.

            Town pond a spring-fed source of water and catch-and-release fishing

The Lake Huron Fishing Club undertakes and supervises a wide variety of Conservation related projects with other local organizations and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). Thousands of hours of volunteer work are completed each year by Club members who are also involved with erosion control, reforestation, stream improvements and fish restocking.

The LHFClub is dedicated to ensuring future generations will have quality fishing opportunities. It operates two fish hatcheries, hosts the Classic Chantry Salmon Derby, initiates and supervises school hatchery projects, partners with Bruce Power to financially support several conservation projects, provides stream enhancements and environmental improvements, and assists government agencies on assessments.

The work of the LHFC relies on thousands of volunteer hours to operate the Kincardine Hatchery, the Port Elgin Hatchery, the School Hatchery Program, and the Chinook Salmon Derby. For more information, visit:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2921053651465449/