LITTLE CURRENT—The Little Current Fish and Game Club (LCFGC) and its school walleye education program has been featured in a story in the August 2018 edition of Ontario Out of Doors magazine.
“It’s good publicity for Manitoulin Island, and for our club,” stated Bill Strain, president of the LCFGC.
In the article it is explained that since 2005, the LCFGC and its community hatchery program has been teaching students on Manitoulin about walleye and fisheries management.
Two months ago the annual event was held, with Grade 4 students from public schools throughout the Island having the opportunity to tour the Bass Lake Creek Walleye Hatchery, learning how to raise walleye, other aquatic life, stream restoration and a lot more.
And as a bonus each of the students who took part received a fishing rod and reel to encourage them to take up the sport of fishing.
Larry Killens, trustee with the Rainbow District School Board (RDSB), stated in the article that the RDSB is extremely impressed with the efforts of the LCFGC. He called it a wonderful example of conservation through education as students take the classroom outdoors and learn about aquatic resources.
Provincial Hatchery Program (CHP) Coordinator Mark Burley agreed, stating in the OOD article, “this is a great example of an (Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) club and community hatchery engaging youth and the community about local fisheries, while also creating additional fishing opportunities through stocking.”
The article notes the CHP program was launched by the OFAH in 2013 in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, that grants funding support to community hatcheries that raise fish for public waters in Ontario. Fish stocking and education are two important components of fisheries management, as they help rehabilitate fish populations, enhance recreational angling opportunities and instill stewardship.
Mr. Strain noted that as an example of how fish and game clubs on the Island work together, in the photo accompanying the OOD article on the LCFGC education day held in May, several students are shown viewing large walleye fish in a trough. “The Gore Bay Fish and Game Club (GBFGC) had donated several troughs to our club for our program.”
