Kenopsha Fisheries Restoration Foundation Inc

Kenosha salmon rearing pond equipment upgrade

Hi, my name is Walter Kreuser I’m the President of the Kenosha Fisheries Restoration Foundation and the Kenosha Sports Fishing and Conservation Association.

We have run the Kenosha Salmon Rearing Pond for over 50years for the Wisconsin DNR. In Dec of 2023 the DNR decided not to support financially our pond. Scrambling… we took over the ownership and operations of the pond. The pond now is totally financially supported by small donations and business sponsorships. The DNR helps greatly with supplying the fry, technical know how and the feed. But not financially.

In April we have 40,000 salmon fry coming and we need to update and repair 50 year old equipment. That cost this year is almost $7300. Including;

1. Adding a sand filtration system to the Pike River Water that imprints the fry as to where to return to spawn.

2. Changing the existing stainless steel piping to better cool the 1000’ well water.

3. Rebuilding the leaking pond gates

4. Removing the air bower system that over heats the water in the ponds, the fry need water below 59 degrees to survive

5. Adding a liquid oxygen injection system to the negative oxygen level in the well water to bring it up to 7ppm from 0ppm.

6. Replace old netting and Seine aged and rotting

7. Invest in digital technology for continuous temp and Do2 readings, network to the DNR website.

8. Help pay for the $6000 electric bill incurred to operate the pond for 5 weeks.

The pond in the distant past was used used a extension of the DNR hatchery facility, but recently it’s been used as a short term rearing pond to help fatten up the fry before release.

Our goal is to return the pond to economical use, and updated technology. Again this requires money. Please consider a donation.