Successful Fish Rescue at Millbrook Dam

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Otonabee Conservation staff and volunteers, with the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, rescued and released over 800 fish, crayfish and frogs that were caught in a pool of water at the base of the Millbrook Dam spillway. This pool was being dewatered to permit the reconstruction of the spillway as part of the Millbrook Dam Reconstruction project.

The rescue, which took place on March 7th, resulted in the capture and release of  797 fish (9 species) including 275 Brown Trout, 1 Brook Trout, 85 White Suckers, and over 400 Sculpin (Mottled and Slimy Sculpin species – commonly known to be trout food). Over 200 crayfish and a handful of frogs were also captured and released downstream into Baxter Creek.

Those involved with the fish rescue included: Meredith Carter, Erin McGauley, Jasmine Gibson, Terri Cox and Doug Clifford (staff) and Dave Wood (volunteer) of Otonabee Conservation as well as Scott Gibson, Jackie Wood and Jason Runtas of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The contractor, FACCA Inc., kept the worksite safe and provided assistance when needed.

Otonabee Conservation fish rescue team: Erin McGauley, Watershed Biologist / Dave Wood, Volunteer / Meredith Carter, Manager, Watershed Management Program / Jasmine Gibson, Planning Ecologist / Terri Cox, Risk Management Official

 

Dave Wood confirms the identity of a sculpin.

 

Terri Cox and Jasmine Gibson; Terri caught a Brown Trout and released it back into Baxter Creek

 

MNRF staff Jason Runtas, Jackie Wood and Scott Gibson were on hand to assist with the fish rescue and identification of species.