This is a
MUST SEE!
The key to life itself can be traced to the purity of the water we drink. The success of a trout hatchery also depends on the water source and The Lost River is a perfect source for the trout. The water flows out of the mountain at a constant temperature of 48 degrees F. year round. This is a perfect temperature for trout eggs but just a bit cool for the growing trout. As a result, they don't grow at the same rate as trout raised in water that is a bit warmer. To help out the growing process, pure oxygen is introduced into the water at various points.
Shown above is a rare picture showing how the eggs are fertilized. Normal spawning begins in July and ends in February. Once the eggs are fertilized, they can be shipped on ice overnight to customers for a period of up to 17 days. Lost River Trout has lost a few shipments due to the weather. When the eggs are ready to ship in the winter months, the ranch prays for a day or two of good weather so the overnight shipping companies can get to the ranch. A shipping box that could contain 100,000 to 150,000 fish eggs could only hold 3,000 fry-size fish in comparison.
Young fish eat ravenously and must be fed once an hour. Belt feeders are used to feed fingerlings four times a day. As the fish grow larger, the feeders shown in the photo above do the job. Oxygen is introduced into the water to encourage growth.
One problem the hatchery has is with Great Blue Herons. They are a protected species in the area. Great Blue Herons can eat many, many pounds of fish each day and can cause a great loss to the hatchery. To fight back, Dick has covered many of the runs with heavy netting and they also use propane powered cannons, which fire at irregular intervals, to scare off the Herons. These cannons are approved by the Idaho State Fish and Game Department. Click the NEXT button to continue the story.
If you would like a web site created for your company,
Email Loose Data Research.
Return to jldr.com
Home of the Outhouses of America Tour