CLEVELAND — Fish are flying out of a Northeast Ohio lake now that it’s restocked for the season.

Hidden Lake welcomed about 800 pounds of rainbow trout Friday morning. A truckload of the trout made its way to the lake from David Bauman’s Hooked on Trout Farm. 

“It’s around 600 fish,” Bauman said. 

Each one is scooped out and placed in the water by Lake Metroparks employees like Eric Hecker, who said he’s perfected his own technique.

“Just try to be as gentle as you can,” he said. “Try not to toss them or throw them. They did have a rough ride here, probably.”

Lake Metroparks Natural Resource Manager Tom Koritansky said he always looks forward to this annual event. 

“It’s a nice way that we welcome spring every year by stocking our ponds,” he said. 

If you’re worried about recent snowfall hurting the fish, there’s no need. Koritansky said the trout will be right at home. 

“Trout are a cold-water fish,” he said, “so this is actually ideal for them.”

Addison Norris had her rod and reel ready to catch one for herself.

“I’ve only caught a fish once,” she said. 

The 9-year-old patiently threw out cast, after cast, after cast hoping to reel in a big one. 

“I like fishing because it’s just sitting there and waiting for a fish,” she said. 

Her dad, Steve, said he was there more for the experience. 

“It’s more about the time I think you spend with people,” he said. “And I probably speak for zero fishermen when I say that, but I know they’re all about catching.”

A license is not required to fish at the lake and you can take home five rainbow trout per day.

The Norris family left the park with two. 

“This is time you can’t get back with your kids,” Steve Norris said. “They grow up really fast, so however they want to spend it with me, I’m fine with that.”