Lake Ontario is one of Ontario's largest recreational fisheries. There are over a million angler days on Lake Ontario annually. Anglers target primarily chinook salmon and rainbow trout but there are also catches of Atlantic and coho salmon as well as brown trout and lake trout. Chinook salmon accounts for over 60% of the fish caught in the Lake Ontario boat fishery.

The fishery is extremely important to the provincial and local economies. The estimated value of the Lake Ontario Fishery is in excess of $140 million. The fishery is a major tourism industry attracting over 10, 000 visitors to Ontario annually to participate in the charter boat industry or in events such as the Great Ontario Salmon Derby.

Ringwood Fish Production

Ringwood Fish Culture Station will be responsible for stocking a large proportion of Lake Ontario's stocking quota including the entire Ontario stocking allocation for chinook salmon. Over half a million chinook salmon fry will be produced and stocked out of Ringwood annually. Other species raised at Ringwood include rainbow trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon, all destined for Lake Ontario tributaries.

Wild collections of chinook and rainbow are done each year to supply the hatchery with eggs. Brown trout and Atlantic salmon eggs are received from the provincial broodstock. As the eggs hatch, they will be fed and cared for in large rearing tanks until they are ready to be stocked. Chinook salmon are raised in the hatchery only throughout the winter and are stocked the following spring. Other species are often raised in the hatchery for an entire year before being stocked.

Ringwood Fish Culture Station differs from other large fish hatcheries as it is operated primarily through volunteer efforts and funded through donations and industry sponsorship. The Metro East Anglers (Host Club) as well as other volunteers are vital to the health of the Ringwood Fish Culture Program.

Ringwood welcomes all participants that are willing to contribute. Volunteers are required year-round to work at the hatchery to feed and care for the fish. School groups or clubs are encouraged to attend one of the stocking days when fish are released into the lake or streams. Egg collection days are also a great opportunity to get out and handle some fish and participate in milking the eggs from the big females.

All of these opportunities are a great way to get involved with the fish hatchery and give back to the fishery. It is also a great way to meet like-minded individuals and maybe introduce yourself to a new fishing buddy.

VISTORS WELCOME

The public is encouraged to come out to the fish hatchery to see the operation. Visitors should contact Ringwood FCS in advance to arrange tours. Tours can be arranged for any size group. Ringwood offers a great learning experience for school groups or your local fish and game club. The hatchery is located on highway 48 just north of Stouffville.