It’s great to see the men and women behind the scenes that fuel our springtime fishing culture getting some recognition! Michelle San Miguel visited Rhode Island’s Lafayette Fish Hatchery to get a full rundown of the state’s trout stocking program, a tradition that began in the 1870s when there weren’t enough freshwater fish in the Ocean State to support the burgeoning interest in recreational fishing.
The program segment offers an all-access view into the hatchery and stocking process, including a ride-along in the stocking truck where DEM employees have to cut a hole in the ice with a chainsaw to get the fish safely into the lake! There’s even a short segment with Rhode Island fisheries biologist and friend of The Fisherman Magazine, KC Fernstrom. It’s a well done segment that highlights an important part of New England fishing that provides the gateway for so many lifelong anglers. Scan the QR Code to watch the full segment entitled, “Hatch and Release”.
