Bring the Kids to Salmon Sunday

CONCORD, N.H. -- Find out everything you wanted to know about fish and fisheries at New Hampshire Fish and Game's annual Salmon Sunday at Pope Dam in Melvin Village on November 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Pope Dam is located 9 miles north of Wolfeboro on Route 109. For more information, call (603) 744-5470.

"Salmon Sunday is a great opportunity for young and old to view -- up close -- landlocked salmon from Lake Winnipesaukee," says Don Miller, fisheries biologist for the Lakes Region. "Kids love to see the big salmon and rainbow trout, averaging about four pounds each, and watch the egg-collecting process."

During the event, fisheries biologists will be busy harvesting, or "stripping" eggs and milt (sperm) from adult salmon. Standing knee-deep in the cold water of Melvin River, the scientists expertly relieve the colorful adult female salmon of their eggs by stroking their stomachs. Milt (sperm) from the male fish is obtained in the same way, and mixed with the gold-colored eggs to fertilize them. This activity is all part of the "behind-the-scenes" work Fish and Game does to help maintain the landlocked salmon population in New Hampshire's big lakes.

Fish for the stripping demonstration are netted from Lake Winnipesaukee during October and early November. They are returned to the lake after their eggs and milt have been collected. The fertilized eggs are taken to Powder Mill Hatchery in New Durham, where they'll hatch in three to four months. The salmon are raised in the hatchery for about 18 months, then stocked into Lake Winnipesaukee and other New Hampshire lakes.

Fish and Game staff will be on hand to answer questions about the salmon, the egg-stripping process and the stocking program that ensures these beautiful fish continue to be available in the lakes for anglers to catch. Salmon Sunday will be held rain or shine.

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