Group to raise money for upgrades to fishpond facility

[Go Big Red!]

Group to raise money for upgrades to fishpond facility

15,000 brown trout found dead after circuit breaker fails at Lincoln Park Zoo

By Suzanne Weiss • For Wisconsinoutdoorfun.com • March 9, 2011

MANITOWOC — When 15,000 brown trout were discovered dead at the Lincoln Park Zoo rearing pond on Feb. 18, the Northeastern Wisconsin Great Lakes Sport Fishermen group knew it had to upgrade its facility.

"The reason they had died is because the well that provides the water and aeration, which puts oxygen into the water, the circuit breaker on this thing had failed. It had been working at 4 p.m. the day before, so some time after that it obviously tripped and the fish ran out of oxygen," said Tom Kocourek, president of the nonprofit group.

The fish died four days before they were to have been released into Lake Michigan for sport fishermen to enjoy, he said.

"We are helping the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) out by providing a facility so (the fish) can grow bigger before they can be released," Kocourek said. "We provide the facility and free labor to feed them and care for them over a period of months to allow the fish to grow bigger and increase their survival."

Typical fish costs 75 cents to $1

According to Kocourek: the fish came from the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery, a DNR-operated facility. The club does not pay for the fish, but a 12-inch fish typically costs 75 cents to $1 per fish. These fish were about 9 to 10 inches each.

"Because they were due to be released, they were larger and consumed more oxygen, so it was critical that that system keep working," he said.

New power line?

"We have learned since that that the main power line going down to that location has been spliced and repaired over the years, and some moisture may have gotten in. We're now investigating putting in a new power line with circuit breakers located near the pond," Kocourek said. "Our club is also investigating drilling a second well on a different circuit. There are several things we're looking at. We're also considering a backup generator. These things are quite costly. We're hoping our fundraisers will be successful so we can afford to do some of these things."

The cost could run more than $40,000 if the NEWGLSF decides to install a new well and purchase a backup generator system, he said.

The group has raised and released 6 million fish since it took over the pond since 1985. It typically raises two batches of fish a year, about nine months out of the year, Kocourek said.
Fundraiser

The NEWGLSF runs an annual salmon derby fundraiser over the Fourth of July weekend at the Manitowoc Marina. Money raised maintains the pond and is donated to outdoor youth mentoring programs, he said.

The group's next fundraiser, which is open to the public, is its Spring Banquet on Saturday at Club Bil-Mar, 3627 Manitowoc County CR. Doors open at 4:30 and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. There also will be raffles and door prizes.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. To purchase tickets, visit www.newglsf.org.