By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Haliburton Highlands Outdoors Association (HHOA) began its annual stocking of the lakes throughout the County on Monday (May 4) with the help of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
Aerial fish stocking operations began early with a MNRF chopper conducting two runs to distribute thousands of fingerlings into remote local lakes. HHOA volunteers moved thousands of Haliburton gold lake trout, Manitou lake trout, and rainbow trout fingerlings from holding tanks at the fish hatchery during the process.
Following the helicopter drops, volunteers then used trailers and portable tanks to stock more accessible lakes throughout the County. HHOA president, Dan Smith, explained that this year’s restocking campaign aimed to distribute about 25,000 fingerlings across the region.
“We’ll just keep stocking fish until all the fingerlings are gone,” Smith said. “That’ll be it for our stocking of Haliburton County lakes for this season.”
Once the community stocking for public lakes is finished, the association will focus on its commercial inventory by moving the rainbow trout currently held in the facility’s pond to begin sales to private landowners and those with private bodies of water.
