Forum on land-locked salmon explains life cycle to kids

A youngster gets an up close and personal visit with a landlocked salmon. (NHFG photo)

CONCORD - Families and kids can explore the life cycle of landlocked salmon at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's annual "Salmon Sunday" event on Nov. 12 from noon to 2 p.m. at Pope Dam in Melvin Village. Pope Dam is nine miles north of Wolfeboro on Route 109 in the town of Tuftonboro, N.H.

"Salmon Sunday is a great chance for everyone to get a close-up look at landlocked salmon from Lake Winnipesaukee in their fall spawning colors," said Fisheries Biologist John Viar. "Kids love to see the big salmon, averaging about three pounds each, and watch biologists collect the eggs."

During the event, fisheries biologists will be busy harvesting, or "stripping," eggs and milt from adult salmon. Standing knee-deep in the cold water of the Melvin River, scientists expertly relieve the colorful adult female salmon of their eggs by stroking their stomachs. Milt from the male fish is obtained in the same way and mixed with the gold-colored eggs to fertilize them.

This activity is all part of the work the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department carries out each year, with support from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program, to maintain the landlocked salmon population in New Hampshire's big lakes.

Salmon used for the stripping demonstration are netted from Lake Winnipesaukee during October and early November. They are returned to the lake after their eggs and milt has been collected. The fertilized eggs are taken to Powder Mill Hatchery in New Durham, where they will hatch in three to four months. The salmon are raised in the hatchery for about 18 months, and then stocked into Lake Winnipesaukee and other New Hampshire lakes.

Underwater photographer Bob Michelson, of Braintree, Mass., will be at the event displaying images depicting the underwater life history of Atlantic salmon. Michelson will be available to answer questions about his observations of this species in the wild, as well as about SCUBA diving and underwater photography. Michelson has been a certified SCUBA diver and underwater photographer for almost 40 years. His work has been published widely, and his video footage and programming have aired on national networks. Michelson has generously donated many of his fish collection images for use on the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website for education/outreach efforts.

Fish and Game staff will be on hand to answer questions about salmon, the egg-stripping process, and the stocking program that ensures these beautiful fish continue to be available in the lakes for anglers to catch. Salmon Sunday is a "rain or shine" event. Dress warmly. If you have questions about Salmon Sunday, call (603) 744-5470.