Sparta's Anglers

Marilyn Steneken’s science classes from Sparta’s Middle school spent a day field trip at the Pequest Hatchery where they witnessed firsthand the workings of a hatchery, including how the eggs hatch and the fingerlings are raised, how they transferred to large tanks after they’ve grown and later used to stock Jersey streams and lakes. “The kids have had the experience of raising trout in school but never really understood how or why they were raised in hatcheries. Our procedures really parallel those of the hatchery on a much smaller scale, but the process and concerns are the same.” said Steneken. Students were taught how to find the trouts main source of food in the stream, and were shown the proper techniques of spin fishing. Successful “anglers” were awarded with an official NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife bobber. (Photos by Lori price)