Individual citizens all well as various organizations have put forth a lot of time and effort to promote the hatchery to where it is today. People who have said they do not fish have helped us also. This defines the amount of support we have received on the hatchery. $63,867.95 has been contributed to the hatchery fund as of April 23, 2000. Walleye Unlimited Chapters, private citizens, and various businesses and organizations have contributed to the fund. These funds are designated for payment on the loan that was obtained to pay for the conceptual design of the hatchery.
We as Walleyes Unlimited members strongly believe the new hatchery will help preserve and protect the future of fishing for generations to come. Take for example the Gauger, a native species to many rivers and lakes. The Gauger is currently on the concerned species list. Currently MFWP has reduced catch limits for sauger on certain rivers. Last year 1,000,000 Gauger eggs were collected. Out of the million eggs only 200,000 fry were released and 100,000 fingerlings. There isn't sufficient space at Miles City to keep up with the declining sauger numbers. The new hatchery would have the space and capabilities to help keep this species of fish from being put on the endangered species list.
Walleyes Unlimited Chapters across the state each year conduct kids fishing days. We teach young anglers fish information, knot tying, the importance of catch and release and various other fishing techniques. We feel it is very important to get children involved in fishing. The MFWP has also started a program called Get Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs Schools and teachers across the state are involved in this program. The schools that sign up for this program are sent fishing tackle and booklets on techniques and ethics of fishing. Field fishing days and classroom activities make this program very beneficial.
We do all of these activities and programs for our future anglers. Let's insure these young people we will have quality warm water fishing in the state. The new warm water multi species hatchery will help make this goal a reality.