Hundreds of rainbow trout went from the hands of one school to another last week at Thetis Lake.
A group of children from a Saanich preschool helped the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC release the fish in order to ensure the lake is well stocked for the upcoming fishing season.
The fish, which are of a “catchable size” that allows anglers to dip their lines in the water immediately, are sterile and can put on several pounds.
Fish culturist Graham Nessman said it’s important to get the kids involved from an early age. “It’s great to get kids out here and plant that seed early and get them interested in the resource and interested in fishing,” he said. The organization is funded mainly by fishing license revenues and stocks more than 800 fishing lakes throughout the province on an annual basis.