News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
April 7, 2005
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info@wildlife.state.nh.us
For information and online licenses, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us

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CONTACT: 
Jon Greenwood: (603) 271-2501
Vikki Leonard: (603) 271-2502
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
April 7, 2005


MERRIMACK RIVER WATERSHED: ATLANTIC SALMON NEED HELPING HANDS

CONCORD, N.H. -- The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department seeks 
volunteers to help with the stocking of nearly a million small Atlantic 
salmon -- known as "fry" -- into several rivers and streams in the 
Merrimack River watershed as part of Atlantic salmon restoration efforts. 
Volunteers are needed and must sign up in advance. To volunteer for the 
Merrimack watershed effort, call Vikki at Fish and Game headquarters in 
Concord at (603) 271-2501 or email fish@wildlife.state.nh.us.


Jon Greenwood, coordinator of the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program 
for N.H. Fish and Game, heads up the stocking in the Merrimack River 
watershed and is counting on lots of hardy volunteers turning out to help 
to stock the fish. "Each year, we depend on the help of people willing 
to expend their time and effort to deliver these special fish to their 
river homes, and they've never let us down," Greenwood said.


Volunteers are needed to release the first wave of fry in the Merrimack 
River watershed on April 12, 14, 19, 20, and 21. A batch of fry will 
also will be released in the Merrimack watershed next month, with ten 
volunteers needed daily on May 4, 10,17, 19, 24 and 25. 


State and federal fisheries personnel, conservation organizations such 
as Trout Unlimited and other interested citizens perform the stocking. 
Volunteers carry the inch-long salmon fry to release points along 
rivers and streams in the watershed. They should be prepared for an all-day 
commitment and rigorous walking with heavy buckets of water and fish. 
Waders, hip boots or old sneakers are recommended footwear for stocking. 
You may get wet, so please bring extra clothing (i.e. socks, 
sweatshirt). Stocking will take place rain or shine. Volunteers should pack a 
lunch and drinking water, waders or hip boots, and be prepared to spend 
the whole day on-site.


Fry released in these river systems and their tributaries will stay in 
the rivers for about two years before migrating to the ocean. When the 
salmon are about four years old, they will return to these rivers to 
spawn. The stocking program is aimed at restoring self-sustaining 
populations of Atlantic salmon in these waterways. Stocking efforts are taking 
place this year in the Merrimack and Connecticut river watersheds. 


For fisheries and fishing information, visit New Hampshire Fish and 
Game at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us. 

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-- 
Copyright 2005 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.mailto:lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us