Salmon Weathering the Winter in Boy Scout Lake

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT
In August, KMXT spoke with Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association about its sockeye salmon rearing project in Boy Scout Lake. It’s been almost five months since the net pens were put in place and some community members may be wondering where the project stands now that the lake has frozen over. Tina Fairbanks is the productions and operations manager for KRAA and said the project is still in full swing, but trying to mimic natural winter feeding cycles.

— (Winter Salmon 1 :29 “In a natural system there is…lake don’t need food on a regular basis.”)

Fairbanks said the lake rearing project is new for KRAA, so knowing when to feed isn’t always an easy decision.

— (Winter Salmon 2 :39 “This lake rearing project is really a first for… in March and April.”)

She said frequent monitoring by KRAA crew and practice runs at the hatchery have suggested that the fish in Boy Scout Lake won’t need too much food this winter.

— (Winter Salmon 3 :46 “What we assume at this point is that these…offer them too much feed.”)

Fairbanks said the plan is still to move the fish come spring to a location that will ideally be the place they return to spawn at in later years.

— (Winter Salmon 4 :34 “Smolt rearing and imprinting in the release …around the island.”)

She said KRAA will continue to monitor the net pens in the months to come and make sure the fish are safe from predators and growing properly.

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