A group of Grade 1 and 2 French immersion students from North Oyster Elementary School traded pencils for pails on May 23. The class joined staff from the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. to release 500 rainbow trout into Chemainus Lake.
The event was part of B.C.’s lake stocking program, coordinated by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C., which introduces catchable-sized trout into lakes across the province to support recreational fishing.
Chris Stone and Zoe Jackson, fish culturists with the society, guided the students through a shoreline lesson in aquatic ecosystems before the release began.
“On Vancouver Island here, we do about 60 lakes, give or take, in different years,” Stone said. “We put them in lakes like this so people can go fishing and catch rainbow trout.”
He told the group that Chemainus Lake is a great home for trout thanks to the healthy vegetation and cold water.
“There's lots of grass and reeds growing, skunk cabbage, stuff like that — lots of places for bugs to grow. And that's what rainbow trout eat,” Stone said.
The society stocks Chemainus Lake several times a year, including in spring and fall.
The society raises about 400,000 fish at the facility each year.
“We put triploid sterile fish in to make sure we’re not interbreeding with native species like cutthroat trout,” Stone said. “And because the fish are sterile, they put all their growth into growing instead of reproducing — so they get bigger.”
The class’s teacher, Madame Camille, said it’s a field trip the class looks forward to each year.
“We have done this for probably seven or eight years,” she said. “It’s one of my favourite trips. I love that the kids get hands-on with nature and they learn about the cycle, they get to see the beginning-to-end process. And I love that there are a lot of local families that fish on this lake.”
After learning about fish habitat, food sources and lake health, the students took turns releasing the trout one by one. Each child was invited to release more than one fish, heading back to the bucket station for multiple rounds. Many gave their fish names before letting them go.
“I named my fish Jimmy Bob. Jimmy Bob Jr. And Bob,” said student Leon.
His classmate, Henley, went with less Bob-related names.
“I named my first Greeny Boy, then Shiny, and the third one was Green Spot,” she said.
Once every student had a turn, the remaining trout were released directly into the lake through a hose attached to the hatchery truck.
The visit was part of a broader effort to teach students about aquatic ecosystems and the life cycles of local fish. By meeting the trout up close, they gained a deeper appreciation for freshwater habitats and the role people can play in supporting healthy lakes.
The experience gave students a hands-on lesson in local ecology and a memorable cast of characters now swimming through Chemainus Lake.
