This afternoon the local provincial fish hatchery was open to the public for tours. Luckily we just live a road over, so we went to check out the fish!
Look at them all!
This fish hatchery has lots of outdoor holds for the fish. Each tank had a different size or species of fish. Here they raise brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout to release in lakes nearby.
The water is taken in from the river beside the hatchery, so each tank has water briskly moving in and out.
They also have two big tall cylindrical oxygenators that they can use in hot summer weather to give the extra oxygen in the water that they require.
It was a gorgeous afternoon, but the blackflies at the hatchery were thick! One even got in my shirt and bit me inside my belly button! The nerve!
When we walked up to a pool, the fish all came over and were climbing all on top of each other. I think they assumed we were going to feed them. I was afraid they were going to jump out!
I’ve seen these outdoor pools covered in mesh nets before, but I haven’t seen them covered up this year. We’ve seen both bald eagles and osprey in the trees around the hatchery. Free fish snacks?
Inside there is a visitor’s centre, so I guess we probably could have stopped in any time!
The hatchery was built by the federal government in 1928. It was taken over by the provincial government in 1982.
The original water pipes were made out of wood!
Inside they had smoked salmon on a tray. Everyone was dipped it in maple syrup. I’ve never seen anyone do that before.
Twisted Cinderella
Such a cool tour! I must go there for a visit some time after we move back to NS. it would be a great for the kids.