On June 16, 300 rainbow trout were added to the Logan Green Fish Pond in Yorkton. The pond is available for anyone to use for catch and release fishing.
The pond was first dug up in 2012, but the first stocking of fish did not happen until 2014. At that time, 750 fish were put in the pond. In 2016, they added 500 more, and this year they dropped in another 300.
Derek Little is the vice president of the Yorkton Wildlife Federation and the fisheries chairman. He said they hope to always add more to the pond, but they are conscious of overpopulation.
“[The fish] are doing really well, and they’re not getting any winter kill. For that reason, we’re making sure we’re not overstocking,” said Little.
Recent fish that have been pulled out of the pond have been a jaw-dropping size, which goes to show that the pond and its continuous movement its doing its job.
Glenda Holmes, the Water Works Manager with the City of Yorkton said the pond is a “green version” of dealing with backwash water from the filter system.
Holmes explained that the backwash water is pumped into a holding tank, which then goes out to two settling ponds. From there, the water continues into a stream and eventually makes its way to the fishpond, and then naturally follows a natural path out.
“We probably have about 1000 cubic metres of water go into the settling ponds every day. It’s continuous movement and there’s always oxygen added into it, and that’s why the fish do so well, especially in the winter,” said Holmes.
Both Little and Holmes both said that people in Yorkton have been enjoying the pond regularly, and they see fishers there almost every day.
But, there are a list of rules that must be followed. Those rules are on display at the fishpond, to ensure the survival of the fish.
“We really emphasize on handling a fish properly,” said Little. He suggested bringing a net so fish aren’t flopping on the hard ground, and not keeping fish out of the water for more than 15 seconds.
The pond has won five awards, on both a federal and provincial level. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to come out and “test their luck” with at the fishpond.
