• Salmon

    • 60,000 Salmon Smolt released at Montrose by North Canterbury F&G and Earthquake Damage

    By on 17/12/2017
    Salmon being released at Montrose hatchery, Rakaia River, Canterbury.

    60,000 Salmon Smolt released by North Canterbury Fish & Game

    North Canterbury Fish & Game Montrose Hatchery on the Rakaia River – 13 July 2008.  Montrose is located on the south bank of the Rakaia River approximately 6 km upstream from the Rakaia Gorge Bridge on SH72. 

    Salmon smolt being caught and transferred into buckets before being released into the creek by the many eager young helpers.
    This sure is a lot of fun! Releasing young salmon.
    Young boys, water, and fish go together! Salmon release at Montrose Hatchery.
    Salmon release at Montrose Hatchery. Any remaining salmon that were reluctant to leave were chased towards the door. Montrose is located on the south bank of the Rakaia River approximately 6 kms up stream from the Rakaia Gorge Bridge on SH72.
    Salmon release at Montrose Hatchery. Willing helpers man the barbeque.
    Salmon release at Montrose Hatchery.
    As the water is lowered young salmon begin their journey seaward. Salmon release at Montrose Hatchery 13 July 2006.
    Salmon release at Montrose Hatchery 13 July 2006. The water level being lowered in tank 2. Thousands of salmon were jumping in every direction. Some appeared reluctant to leave.
    Salmon release at Montrose Hatchery 13 July 2006. Looking up stream towards the tanks as the young salmon are re- leased.
    Salmon release at Montrose Hatchery 13 July 2006. The young salmon head down the creek to the Rakaia River.
    One of the 60,000 smolt released to swim down the creek to the Rakaia River. This little 150mm long salmon was quickly photographed and released.

    Canterbury salmon anglers will be disappointed to hear that the Montrose hatchery was badly damaged in the Christchurch earthquake

    Montrose hatchery manager Dirk Barr (right) during the recent Open Day.
    Montrose hatchery manager Dirk Barr (right) during the recent Open Day.

    Canterbury salmon anglers will be disappointed to hear that the Montrose hatchery was badly damaged in the Christchurch earthquake. Hatchery manager Dirk Barr said, in a report in the Christchurch Press, on 14 September 2010, that 20,000 small salmon were killed after being thrown from their troughs at Montrose.

    Another 150,000 salmon escaped into a creek after the concrete raceway was split by the earthquake. These salmon were to be released next July.

    A further 40,000 rainbow trout also escaped into the creek which runs into the Rakaia River .

    Dirk Barr said that the salmon were too small to be released and that they were unlikely to survive. Barr expected the salmon would be washed out to sea.

    The “early release” of rainbow trout into the Rakaia River could be a welcome bonus for anglers, but would mean the 12 North Canterbury lakes usually stocked with rainbow trout would miss out.

    Barr said that despite the losses he was comfortable with Fish and Game’s stock levels.

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