FWS staff prepare to remove the ventral fin from a yearling lake trout at Jordan River NFH. - FWS photo

The 2006 year class of  lake trout yearlings at Jordan River NFH has been marked with the lake-wide fin clip. 

The 2.2 million yearlings received a "double clip" this year.  This means that two fins were removed, denoting the 2006 year class of hatchery fish. 

The clip, referred to as RPLV (right pectoral fin, left ventral fin) is used by resource agencies around the Great Lakes for age determination purposes. The project started in late January and was completed on April 2nd. 

The Lake trout, when recovered during assessment and creel census surveys, are referred to as "known age fish" and are identifiable as a hatchery introduced Lake trout.  During the project, 9 to 13 temporary workers, worked seven hours a day to accomplish this task. 

Paul Haver, Fisheries Biologist at Jordan River NFH, provided much of the coordination and leadership necessary to complete the project successfully.  Thanks to all.