KENOSHA, Wis. — A mission to conserve our Great Lakes is underway at the Kenosha Sportfishing and Conservation Association Salmon Rearing Pond.

The nonprofit group is working to restore Lake Michigan’s ecosystem by stocking it with salmon annually.

On Friday, 40,000 chinook salmon fingerlings were brought to the rearing pond by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

What You Need To Know

  • The Kenosha Sportfishing and Conservation Association received 40,000 chinook salmon fingerlings from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

  • The salmon are kept in the nonprofit's rearing pond for three weeks before being released into Lake Michigan

  • It's an annual process that is meant to balance Lake Michigan's ecosystem by reducing invasive species while creating fishing opportunities

  • The hope is to also have the salmon return to river's bed to breed

It’s one of two rearing ponds in Wisconsin. The other is in Manitowoc.

It’s annual event that’s been happening for more than 50 years.

Glenn Warren is the group’s conservationist.

“This is simply to raise them. Let it get them a little bigger, so they have a better chance of success out there, and to let them get imprinted on that river water smell,” said Warren.

He said the hope is that the salmon will then come back to the Pike River to breed.

Warren said they also help balance the fish community by eating invasive species like alewives.

“And they did a very good job, and in the process, they started a very successful sport fishing industry,” said Warren.

Terry McMahon, one of those volunteers, maintains the pond’s irrigation and aeration systems. The nonprofit said it relies on its volunteers.

“I've always been kind of a community activist type person. I love to see things grow and improve,” said McMahon.“I've always been kind of a community activist type person. I love to see things grow and improve,” said McMahon.

This year McMahon had to take a step back since he is waiting to get eye surgery. He said watching from the sidelines isn’t easy.

“It is hard. I'm a guy that's always got to be involved. I’m a doer, or as everybody calls me, the shaker and maker,” said McMahon.

The fish will be kept in tanks for the next three weeks before they are released into the Pike River.

From there, they will swim to Lake Michigan.

“I worked as an environmental scientist on the lake for 40 years, and I know how important these salmon are to maintaining what we have in the lake,” said Warren.

Warren and the volunteers are doing what they can to support a mission to preserve Lake Michigan — something they are deeply passionate about.

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