KENOSHA, Wis. — It’s a sign of spring in Kenosha, roughly 40,000 salmon fingerlings arrived at the Kenosha Rearing Pond Friday as part of a decades-long conservation effort to boost the salmon population in Lake Michigan.
The small fish will spend three weeks imprinting on the local water before being released into the lake, where they’ll return as full-grown salmon in a few years to spawn.
“This is about conservation,” said Russell Mann, president of the Kenosha Sportfishing and Conservation Association. “We want to conserve the fish in the Great Lakes so that they're here for generations to come."
The project not only supports local biodiversity, it also brings in tourism. Kenosha has one of the highest salmon catch rates and each year, people travel from across the country to fish these waters, generating millions in tourism revenue.
Watch: 40,000 salmon fingerlings arrive in Kenosha to boost Lake Michigan fish population
Community members and volunteers gathered to welcome the fingerlings and celebrate the city’s role in sustaining Lake Michigan’s ecosystem.
"I wanted to contribute to just not only conservation but sustainability specifically for our lake," said Trey Mitchell. "I think that just this project alone is pretty rewarding, not only for the fish but for the community."
The KSFCA is currently looking for volunteers to help feed the fish during their time in the pond. If you're interested in volunteering, email ksfca06@gmail.com.
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