Almaguin Community Hatchery Program

It is with great sadness that we must inform everyone that we will not be collecting walleye eggs this year for our hatchery. With the COVID-19 virus still being around and having to practice social distancing, and while having many discussions with our families, it has been decided, to forgo this year's collection. ~ Jerry.

Have a safe and happy long weekend! We are putting the nets in the water this morning. Be careful out there while you are boating. ... #LongWeekend #Hatchery

The docks of the mag will look a little different this year as the Hatchery continues to modify our operations. Honda ATVs & Power Equipment Canada provided water pumps to Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters to distribute to deserving hatcheries throughout the province. A letter was sent in and we were later informed of our being selected for a pump to assist in our hatchery. This year we have purchased a chiller and filter system to go to a closed loop system in our h...atchery. This will eliminate the hot water that has plagued us the last 3 years. With the success of our local schools using aquariums to do trout we should be able to go to 160 gallon closed in system and get a success story. John Hetherington and Jerry Brandt accept the water pump from Muskoka Rent All in Huntsville from Chris Joiner (right) and Vern Jones (left).. THANKS for your continued support!

Hello everyone, Here's an update from Jerry at the ACHP: We had 28 volunteers this year come out to help. 2018 saw a change in the hatchery with the addition of a UV system and some minor changes to the plumbing to accommodate it. The tub was also utilized in the fungus treatment of the eggs with a peroxide mixture that was found by John in some best practices of other Walleye groups. Our hatchery this year was a great success as we did not observe any of the fungus in the j...ars like in previous years. Hats off to the many volunteers who made this happen. We also built a water hardening egg system which was placed at the dock for all to see. It became a perfect conversation piece as many people came for a visit to see what was going on. The process of fullers earth to remove the stickiness of the eggs was perfected even more and a new volunteer, Pina, rocked the eggs in a gentle stir which proved to be a great success as very little eggs were broken in the hardening process. The fish eggs were fertilized in a total of 5 minutes, placed into a batch of fullers earth for 5 minutes and then placed into the water hardening jars on the dock for an hour. Then placed in the hatchery to incubate. In reviewing the hatchery records and adding up the math we collected 900,000 eggs. In 12 days these eggs hatched like popcorn and were placed into Ahmic in all the right places. 500,000 survived the trip to Ahmic. All in all that is a 55.55% success rate which is great seeing that the water temperature rose to 16 deg. C or higher.

Where did the summer go?!?!

Today, Director John Heatherington and Jerry Brandt presented baseball caps with our new logo to the students of Magnetawan Central Public School who have been involved with the micro hatchery in the classroom. The children were congratulated for their magnificent efforts with the trout hatchery. Well done great job,

Here's what all the fuss is about! Precious walleye eggs just waiting to become fry and head back into the water!

Another great day with the teachers and students of the Magnetawan Central Public School! Thanks to everyone that came out to watch and lend a hand! We couldn't do it without you! ~ ACHP

Today we placed the trap nets! It won't be long now! Come down to the docks tomorrow (Tuesday May 16th) behind LCBO to learn about the walleye resource and how important they are to our area!

Today! Today the trap nets went in! Thanks to Jerry Brandt for sending along these images from the docks!

Here's a few photos from this weekend as the gang checks to hoop nets and prepares for the big day!

Jerry Brandt has let us know that the traps will be set today. The fish have started to pool down river! It won't be long now!!

Welcome to your weekend! Now, if we could just get Mother Nature to co-operate with the weather we might be able to get some work done! The hatchery is delayed because of the cool water temperatures. Stay tuned!