Staff conduct lake trout distribution. - FWS photo

The Hatchery's Fish Distribution Truck. - FWS photo

Staff at Pendills Creek NFH report a record year of lake trout production.  The story began last fall with a new fall fingerling lake trout program and fish distribution taking place in early November to lake Michigan with 101,600 fish. 

This new program was initiated last fall in order to put more lake trout into Lake Michigan waters.  In addition to these fall fingerlings, the yearling lake trout program numbers were increased dramatically due to two hatchery enhancements; water filtration and oxygen supplementation capabilities. 

The yearling production goal was increased from 750,000 to 900,000 fish and this year's distribution amounted to 950,533 yearlings. 

Total production for Fiscal Year 2007 was 1,052,133 lake trout. 

Not only has the total number of lake trout produced increased but the overall quality or vitality of the fish has increased by bettering the environment the fish inhabit at the hatchery.