This year’s project centered on the construction and operation of a floating fish pen designed to nurture 3,000 trout fingerlings. Installed in March and inspected by the DEC to ensure optimal conditions, the pen became a temporary home for the young fish beginning March 24. At just four to five inches long at the outset, the trout represented both a delicate responsibility and a hopeful investment in the future of Lake Erie’s fishery.

What followed was a remarkable display of dedication and coordination. An all-volunteer team from the NCCC took on the demanding task of feeding the fish five times a day — every day — for three weeks; that 21 days, 105 feedings in all. Each feeding was carefully logged, with volunteers recording water temperature, lake conditions, fish behavior, and other vital observations.

This level of diligence not only ensured the health of the fish but also reinforced the professional standard of the all-volunteer project.

The results speak for themselves. Project Manager Paul Soper said, “Over the course of 21 days, not a single fish mortality was observed–an extraordinary achievement that underscores the care and expertise of the volunteer team. By the time of their scheduled health check schedules by the DEC today, the trout are expected to have nearly doubled in size, a testament to the ideal conditions and attentive stewardship they received.”

An all-volunteer team from the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club took on the demanding task of feeding the fish five times a day—every day—for three weeks; that 21 days, 105 feedings in all.

Soper added, “Following this inspection, the fish will be released into Dunkirk Harbor on Tuesday, April 14, at approximately 7:30 p.m.” This release marks a critical moment in the project’s lifecycle. By raising the fish in the harbor environment, the pen allows them to scent imprint on the location as their birthplace, increasing the likelihood that they will return in future years–a key factor in sustaining and enhancing the local fishery.

Behind the scenes, leadership and community support have been instrumental. Soper has played a central role in coordinating the effort, ensuring that every detail–from construction to daily operations–ran smoothly. His commitment and organizational leadership have helped elevate the project into a model with potential for similar conservation initiatives.

Equally deserving of recognition is Peter Smith, owner of Chadwick Bay Marina, whose generous support has been vital to the project’s logistics. Smith will once again provide the use of his overhead sky crane to carefully lift the pen from the water following the fish release, transporting it to the NCCC storage area. There, the pen netting will be dried, then stored into protective 55-gallon drums, helping to ensure and extend the usability of the netting and the pen for years to come.

The Dunkirk Fish Pen Project is more than a short-term success–it is a long-term investment in the ecological health and sustainability of Lake Erie. It highlights what can be accomplished when passionate volunteers, local organizations, and state agencies come together with a shared vision.

As the trout swim free into the harbor this April, they carry with them not just the promise of future fishing seasons, but the enduring impact of a community united in conservation. With plans to continue the project in the years ahead, the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club and its partners are ensuring that this story of stewardship is only just beginning. Next year? There is talk for consideration to add another pen of the same size.

The project into the future is maintained by a separate fund at the club and will require continued financial support for future operations. Community members who would like to contribute are encouraged to send donations to: Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club – Trout Pen Trout Project, PO Box 178, Dunkirk, NY, 14048. For additional information about the project, contact Soper at the club.