SaltH2oFly
03-31-2005, 02:31 PM
NHF&G Press Release:
CONTACT:
Jon Greenwood: (603) 271-2501
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
March 31, 2005
BROODSTOCK SALMON ARE BACK!
CONCORD, N.H. -- Good news for anglers! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has moved ahead with the 2005 Merrimack River Anadromous Fish Restoration Program, which includes the Merrimack River broodstock Atlantic salmon fishery. New Hampshire Fish and Game will release a total of 1,500 tagged broodstock salmon in 2005 -- about 1,100 this spring and 400 in the fall. That means New Hampshire anglers will once again have a chance to catch the "King of Fish" this year.
Since 1993, N.H. Fish and Game, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has stocked huge mature Atlantic salmon into the Merrimack and lower Pemigewasset rivers every spring and fall. The program runs year-round, but all salmon taken from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released. New Hampshire has the only managed Atlantic salmon river fishery in New England.
NEW THIS YEAR: stamp and possession tags are no longer required for salmon anglers. The $11 salmon "permit" is now a simple checkbox on the multiform license application. There is no longer a requirement to tag salmon taken. Note that only salmon marked by Fish and Game with a T-bar anchor at the base of the dorsal fin may be kept, and the bag limit remains at 1 per day and 5 total for the season.
Find more information on the broodstock salmon fishery, including an Atlantic salmon access map, at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm.
Anglers can now purchase broodstock salmon permits - as well as fishing licenses -- online at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us or from any authorized N.H. license agent.
"In the spring, late April and May are the time to fish for broodstock salmon, then again in October and November," said Jon Greenwood, Coordinator of the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program for N.H. Fish and Game. "Catching these fighting fish is an unforgettable experience -there's nothing like it!"
The Merrimack River Anadromous Fish Restoration Program is working to restore migratory fish populations to New Hampshire. Broodstock Atlantic salmon are raised at the Nashua federal hatchery and kept to produce offspring, or "fry," more than a million of which are released each spring in an effort to restore a sea-run population of salmon to the Merrimack River basin. After spawning at the hatchery, the large salmon are normally tagged and then released in the Merrimack/Pemigewasset watershed in the early spring and again in the fall.
While the long-term outlook for the Atlantic salmon restoration program is not yet decided, the partners in this cooperative state-federal restoration effort are currently actively working to find a funding solution. You can join in this effort by purchasing a salmon permit -- whether or not you go after the "King of Fish." This unique fishery is solely funded by the purchase of salmon permits.
Anglers should note that the N.H Department of Environmental Services has determined that broodstock Atlantic salmon are safe for limited consumption by adults age 16 years and older. A limit of one-half meal per month -- four ounces -- is advised for adults. Children ages 15 years and younger should not consume broodstock salmon. These guidelines for broodstock salmon serve as extra incentive for anglers to practice catch-and-release. For more information, visit http://www.des.state.nh.us/eoh/hra.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us.
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--
Copyright 2004 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.
CONTACT:
Jon Greenwood: (603) 271-2501
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
March 31, 2005
BROODSTOCK SALMON ARE BACK!
CONCORD, N.H. -- Good news for anglers! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has moved ahead with the 2005 Merrimack River Anadromous Fish Restoration Program, which includes the Merrimack River broodstock Atlantic salmon fishery. New Hampshire Fish and Game will release a total of 1,500 tagged broodstock salmon in 2005 -- about 1,100 this spring and 400 in the fall. That means New Hampshire anglers will once again have a chance to catch the "King of Fish" this year.
Since 1993, N.H. Fish and Game, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has stocked huge mature Atlantic salmon into the Merrimack and lower Pemigewasset rivers every spring and fall. The program runs year-round, but all salmon taken from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released. New Hampshire has the only managed Atlantic salmon river fishery in New England.
NEW THIS YEAR: stamp and possession tags are no longer required for salmon anglers. The $11 salmon "permit" is now a simple checkbox on the multiform license application. There is no longer a requirement to tag salmon taken. Note that only salmon marked by Fish and Game with a T-bar anchor at the base of the dorsal fin may be kept, and the bag limit remains at 1 per day and 5 total for the season.
Find more information on the broodstock salmon fishery, including an Atlantic salmon access map, at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/atlantic_salmon.htm.
Anglers can now purchase broodstock salmon permits - as well as fishing licenses -- online at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us or from any authorized N.H. license agent.
"In the spring, late April and May are the time to fish for broodstock salmon, then again in October and November," said Jon Greenwood, Coordinator of the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program for N.H. Fish and Game. "Catching these fighting fish is an unforgettable experience -there's nothing like it!"
The Merrimack River Anadromous Fish Restoration Program is working to restore migratory fish populations to New Hampshire. Broodstock Atlantic salmon are raised at the Nashua federal hatchery and kept to produce offspring, or "fry," more than a million of which are released each spring in an effort to restore a sea-run population of salmon to the Merrimack River basin. After spawning at the hatchery, the large salmon are normally tagged and then released in the Merrimack/Pemigewasset watershed in the early spring and again in the fall.
While the long-term outlook for the Atlantic salmon restoration program is not yet decided, the partners in this cooperative state-federal restoration effort are currently actively working to find a funding solution. You can join in this effort by purchasing a salmon permit -- whether or not you go after the "King of Fish." This unique fishery is solely funded by the purchase of salmon permits.
Anglers should note that the N.H Department of Environmental Services has determined that broodstock Atlantic salmon are safe for limited consumption by adults age 16 years and older. A limit of one-half meal per month -- four ounces -- is advised for adults. Children ages 15 years and younger should not consume broodstock salmon. These guidelines for broodstock salmon serve as extra incentive for anglers to practice catch-and-release. For more information, visit http://www.des.state.nh.us/eoh/hra.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us.
- ### -
--
Copyright 2004 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.