Jax got to help his older sister Maielle MacRitchie release young salmon into the Saugeen River, April 30.

Hub Staff

After curating smolts, or young salmon, in their Library during the winter months, the students of Northport Public School, along with the help of the Lake Huron Fishing Club (LHFC), released a bevy of fish into the Saugeen River, April 30.

Lake Huron Fishing Club member Brian King thanked sponsor Bruce Power for their help, and hoped that in three to four years the salmon would return to the Saugeen River.

Northport student Braden Warnell said that his sister named her salmon before she released them into the wild. “She named one Tiny because the fish was tiny, and Peter, just because she needed a name for the other one,” Warnell said. He later added that, “we had to feed them, [LHFC] cleaned the tanks for us, [the salmon] got normal fish food that you would feed to your pet.”

The Club currently has 27 schools that house fish to be released. Chinook Salmon are in Northport, École Port Elgin Saugeen Central and G.C. Huston. Schools in Kincardine raise Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.

Left: Three year old Lincoln Leung, had a few moments of elation after seeing the small salmon for the first time, April 30 at the Saugeen River. Right: Northport student Harrison thought his fish would be able to hide from predators in the reeds, during Northport’s Chinook Salmon release.

With cautious steps Caitlin Warnell made sure her salmon were safe on her walk to the river, April 30.

Northport students and their parents took the time to enjoy the beautiful spring day, during the Chinook Salmon release, April 30.