NEWS RELEASE
FRIENDS OF THE GRAND RIVER
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On May 12 and 15, 2017, the Friends of the Grand and partners and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) will release 23,000 brown trout into the Grand River.
The fish are released at about 30 sites between the Shand Dam at Lake Belwood through the communities of Fergus and Elora, to the Highway 86 bridge at West Montrose, a distance of approximately 28 km.
The fish have been stocked annually since 1989. The stocking program has resulted in a “world class” brown trout tailwater fishery that has had national and international attention.
The Shand Dam was completed in 1942. The dam helps to protect against downstream flooding and it is used to augments flow in the river during dry periods.
The deeper waters of the reservoir remain cool even during the heat of summer. Brown trout cannot tolerate temperatures above 24ᵒC, so the dam is operated to release the deep, cool water during the summer, providing the cool water that the brown trout require.
The “tailwater” is the water downstream of a dam and this project has taken advantage of this opportunity to create a brown trout ‘tailwater fishery” in the cool waters below the Shand Dam.
The real benefit of the program is how it has raised the profile of the river within the community, resulting in improvements to water quality and the protection of the river and its ecosystem.
“People are more interested in protecting the river when they have an interest in it,” said Larry McGratton, president of the Friends of the Grand River.
The Friends of the Grand River (FOGR) is a local volunteer organization that has been assisting MNRF with the annual fish stocking. FOGR has been very active, undertaking many projects, such as tree planting, developing access points, educational programs, clean-up days and River Watch.
The brown trout that are stocked are from the MNRF Chatsworth Fish Culture Station and the genetic strain originates from wild fish taken from the Ganaraska River. The fish average approximately 75 grams each.
Anglers are asked to refer to the 2017 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary available online and from fishing licence issuers for the regulations and other information covering fishing in Fisheries Management Zone 16.
Much of this Tailwater Fishery is covered by Special Fishing Regulations, requiring artificial lures, one barbless hook, and catch and release. This year the brown trout season is from Apr. 22 to Sept. 30 unless the waterbody is an exception to the regulations.
The stocking partners include: Friends of the Grand River, Grand River Conservation Authority, St James Catholic High School, Trout Unlimited Canada, Hamilton Area Flyfishers and Fly Tyers, K-W Flyfishers, and Izaak Walton Fly Fishing Club.
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