How to start a Salmon in the Classroom Program

Program Requirements/Materials:

• Permit from the DNR. Complete and submit a MDNR Cultural or Scientific Collectors Permit - Required for fall 2006. This is a very quick and easy process; simply visit the MDNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnr. In the upper right corner, click on "Online Services" box. Scroll down to "State Agencies Online Service List". Click on "Natural Resources Department of (DNR)". Under the first title, "Fish and Wildlife", click on "Cultural or Scientific Collectors Permit". Scroll down and click on "apply online". Apply for your permits 4-6 weeks prior to picking up your salmon eggs at a hatchery or weir.

• 55 Gallon (or larger) fish aquarium, with hood and lights. ($100.00)

• Aquarium Chiller ($615.00)

• An undergravel filter to fit aquarium. ($34.99)
• Natural colored, large pebble gravel. (2-11lb bags, $12.00 ea.)
• 2 powerheads for undergravel filter. (Aqua Clear 802, $41.99 ea.)
• Electric plug in strip with surge protector. ($8.00)
• An aquarium thermometer, if not on Chiller. ($2.00)
• Iodine/Hospital Antiseptic Solution (2-Proviodone-iodine 10%, 16 fl. oz., $7.99)
• Water Conditioner (ACE-Ammonia, Chloramine Eliminator, 2oz.)
• Teaspoon measuring spoon
• 4 - 5 gallon buckets
• Rubbermaid Gloves

Aquarium Maintenance Materials:

• Fish Food
• A fish net
• Turkey baster
• Aquarium Vacuum
• Ammonia test kit
• Deluxe pH test kit

Salmon Egg Pick up and transport:
Picking up salmon eggs. There are two general sites to obtain eggs, at a state fish hatchery or a state weir.

Hatcheries which provide eyed eggs are:
Thompson State Fish Hatchery, Manistique, MI.
Tom Tighe, Biologist: Phone: 906-341-5587
Email: Tom Tighe

Platte River State Fish Hatchery, Beulah, MI.
Janice Sapak, Biologist: Phone: 231-325-4611
Email: Janice Sapak

Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, Mattawan, MI.
Matt Hughes, Biologist: Phone: 231-269-6896
Email: Matt Hughes

From our Hatcheries, eggs are usually ready to take during the 2nd full week of November. This is subject to change based on environmental conditions and ripeness of female salmon.

Weirs which provide green eggs are:
Little Manistee Weir, Manistee, MI

Swan River Weir, Rogers City, MI

From our Weirs, eggs are ready to take during the 1st and 2nd weeks of October. This is also subject to change based on the above conditions.

• Contact your local biologist a week prior to your arrival at a weir or hatchery. Ask the biologist what day is best to arrive to obtain eggs, and very importantly, the approved location to stock your fish the following spring.
• Bring your collectors permit, gallon sized Ziploc baggies, and a cooler with ice to keep the eggs cold during your drive back home.

Obtaining fish food:
Teachers are responsible for getting their own food. Depending on water temperature the fish will begin to hatch in 6-8 weeks. Salmon are born with a yolk-sac on their undersides and absorb the protein filled fluid for approximately one month until they 'bottom-up'. Their yolk sac will slowly dissolve and they will need to be fed fish food.

Fish food will be shipped from Oden Hatchery in December to all 6 state fish hatcheries:

• Wolf Lake Hatchery - Mattawan, MI (Kalamazoo area)
• Harrietta Hatchery - Harrietta, MI (Cadillac area)
• Platte River Hatchery - Beulah, MI (Traverse City area)
• Oden Hatchery - Alanson, MI (Petoskey area)
• Thompson Hatchery, Manistique, MI (Southern U.P)
• Marquette Hatchery, Marquette, MI (Northern U.P.)

If you cannot drive to obtain the fish food at one of the state fish hatcheries, you must make arrangements with your school Principal or school secretary to have the shipping charges billed to the school. FedEx or UPS are commonly used. Talk to your school administration on how that can be accomplished.

MDNR employees cannot hand deliver your fish food, it is your responsibility to call Maureen Jacobs in December when it is ready. The fish food spoils easily. December is the month to claim your food.

Teachers Guide books:

Teacher's guidebooks can be obtained from the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited. These guides provide sample ideas for having a successful SIC program. For more information check out www.projectfish.org.

In addition to egg collection, feeding, rearing, and release, bring your students on a hatchery field trip!

If you are located in the southern part of Michigan, Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery Visitor Center in Mattawan implements year-round free programs for students. Call Shana McMillan for details at 269-668-2876.

If you are in the Northern Lower Peninsula, Oden State Fish Hatchery in Alanson, and Platte River State Fish Hatchery in Beulah implements year-round free programs for students. Call Maureen Jacobs for details at 231-348-0998. Off-site classroom visits are also options in parts of the state.

Release of Fish:

• Transport your fish in 5 gallon buckets to the river.
• Stocking your salmon takes place in spring when you wish to arrange your class trip to a river. MDNR Fisheries Division must approve where you stock.

All materials can be found at a local pet supply store, Meijer and Wal-Mart.

Copyright 2008 Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited