Fish Hatchery has long history as Otselic icon
South Otselic Fish Hatchery Fish Culturist 2 Mike Speziale, and Fish Hatchery Manager and Fish Culturist 3 William Woodworth stand near the South Otselic Fish Hatchery where they will grow thousands of fish which are distributed throughout New York State’s bodies of water each year. (Photo by Zachary Meseck)
OTSELIC – The South Otselic Fish Hatchery has a nearly 100-year-old history in its area, providing fish all over New York State and representing the Otselic community on a larger scale.
According to South Otselic Fish Hatchery Fish Culturist 2 Mike Speziale, the hatchery originally began as a bass hatchery, but has continued to grow since its inception. Speziale said the most recent construction project began in 2016 which involved the replacement of pond outlet structures and the combining of the earthen ponds used to grow out walleye fry.
“I’ve been here around 13 years all together, I know the hatchery started in the early 1930’s originally as a bass hatchery,” said Speziale. “The old building remains on the site as storage, and the current building was constructed in the mid-1980’s.”
“For anyone who doesn’t know what we do, there are certain species of fish that are highly sought after by sport fishermen that are in some decline, and we are here to increase the population of those fish in our waters.”
Speziale said the hatchery currently stocks walleyes, tiger muskies, and heritage brook trout. He said the organization currently produces approximately 15,000 pounds of fish, and is completely funded through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
“Where the fish go kind of changes, but currently there are around 15 different waters in New York that currently get stocked with our walleyes, around 35 that get stocked with our tiger muskies, and 50 to 60 ponds and lakes in the adirondacks get stocked with the brook trout,” he added. “New York no longer needs to stock bass, they’re naturally reproducing fine on their own.”
Speziale said the largest fish the hatchery carries right now are their tiger muskies, which can get about four feet long. He said not only does the hatchery raise fish and distribute them throughout New York State, but they also partner with their community to help educate people on fish and fishing in general.
“The hatchery partners with the community to help teach them about fish and teach children how to fish,” said Speziale. “Once a year, there’s a non-production pound that we use and we hold a fishing clinic there, and we have a DEC biologist that comes out of Cortland to help with teaching.”
He said anglers interested in getting the most fishing action are best off going out throughout the spring, and that by the time early June the water heats up and it makes the fish less aggressive.
Anyone interested in learning more about fish hatcheries throughout New York State may visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7742.html for additional information.
According to South Otselic Fish Hatchery Fish Culturist 2 Mike Speziale, the hatchery originally began as a bass hatchery, but has continued to grow since its inception. Speziale said the most recent construction project began in 2016 which involved the replacement of pond outlet structures and the combining of the earthen ponds used to grow out walleye fry.
“I’ve been here around 13 years all together, I know the hatchery started in the early 1930’s originally as a bass hatchery,” said Speziale. “The old building remains on the site as storage, and the current building was constructed in the mid-1980’s.”
“For anyone who doesn’t know what we do, there are certain species of fish that are highly sought after by sport fishermen that are in some decline, and we are here to increase the population of those fish in our waters.”
Speziale said the hatchery currently stocks walleyes, tiger muskies, and heritage brook trout. He said the organization currently produces approximately 15,000 pounds of fish, and is completely funded through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
“Where the fish go kind of changes, but currently there are around 15 different waters in New York that currently get stocked with our walleyes, around 35 that get stocked with our tiger muskies, and 50 to 60 ponds and lakes in the adirondacks get stocked with the brook trout,” he added. “New York no longer needs to stock bass, they’re naturally reproducing fine on their own.”
Speziale said the largest fish the hatchery carries right now are their tiger muskies, which can get about four feet long. He said not only does the hatchery raise fish and distribute them throughout New York State, but they also partner with their community to help educate people on fish and fishing in general.
“The hatchery partners with the community to help teach them about fish and teach children how to fish,” said Speziale. “Once a year, there’s a non-production pound that we use and we hold a fishing clinic there, and we have a DEC biologist that comes out of Cortland to help with teaching.”
He said anglers interested in getting the most fishing action are best off going out throughout the spring, and that by the time early June the water heats up and it makes the fish less aggressive.
Anyone interested in learning more about fish hatcheries throughout New York State may visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7742.html for additional information.
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