LOTSA Olcott Pen Rearing Update

[Instigator]

The 2019 Lotsa pen rearing project is progressing exceptionally well.  This year we expanded the project by two pens.  The NYDEC authorized us to increase our steelhead program from 3500 fish to 10,000, meaning we needed two more pens.  DEC provided funding to have one pen built by the Orleans Niagara BOCES welding class.  Progress on this pen fell a little behind and the pen was not able to be completed by the time we needed it, so Bootleggers Cove Marina in Wilson stepped up and loaned us 2 of their unused pens for 2019.
 
The pens were assembled and placed in the water on April 6th.  Nearly 50 LOTSA members were assisted by 15 or 16 members of the Lake Erie Chapter of Fly Fishers, and the 6 pens were rigged and ready for the water in record time of 45 minutes.  Our fish were received in Olcott on April 9th.  The chinook were received in three pens and the average weight was 143 fish to the pound, which is a little smaller than we have received in the past but they looked good and healthy.  The steelhead were received larger than normal at 21 fish to the pound.
 
A small group of volunteers weighed the fish in Olcott on April 23rd to check growth rates.  Due to the better food that has been provided by DEC and more stable creek temperatures this year, the fish are growing at an exceptional rate and will be well beyond the target weight when they are released.
 
Some dates to keep in mind
 
We plan on releasing the steelhead on April 29th.  We will meet at 6:30 pm, weigh the fish and then cut them loose just before dark to reduce predation by birds and prey fish.  On Wednesday May 1st, all 6 of the pens will be moved to the launch area where the 3 steelhead pens will be re-rigged to accept brown trout.  The Brown trout will be held for 2 to 3 days and released.  This will help acclimate them to the local water and hopefully help survival.  They will be released just before dark on May 4th or 5th, date is yet to be determined.  We have received an extension on the chinook release date, so this year we will hold them for and additional week provided water temperatures stay stable.  May 7th the chinook will be weighed at 6:30 pm and released shortly before dark.  The pens will be removed and cleaned on Saturday May 11^th at 9:30, please come out and help as this is one of the most labor intensive operations that we have, and we rarely have enough help.
 
Thank you to all of the LOTSA members that have volunteered, Lake Erie Chapter of Fly Fishers, DEC, Town of Newfane, Town of Newfane Marina and their employees, Bootleggers Cove Marina in Wilson, The Boat Doctor, and everyone else that has volunteered and donated time and money to this project which has made it such and enormous success.  These pen projects across Lake Ontario are the future of our salmon fishery.