Fish and Rivers

Fertilized Rainbow Trout

Albino fish and the fertilization process of fish were some of the highlights at the National Fish Hatchery in Ennis. The theme class was fortunate to be able to witness the harvesting and fertilization of Rainbow Trout Eggs at the fish hatchery. The biologists stood in the runways gathering fish and stunning them before harvesting eggs from the females and semen from the males. They would then mix the two and within 15 to 30 seconds the eggs become fertilized. Eggs that aren't fertilized turn white and float to the top of the bowl. Fish eggs are sent out all across the U.S. and Canada to be raised in fish farms.  We were also given a tour of the hatchery where the workers raise fish from eggs to fingerlings.
Albino fish and one blue fish were another noteworthy sight at the hatchery. Albinos don't do very well in the wild as they have no natural camouflage. The hatchery keeps them for show. The albinos end up living in the covered building in "raceways" which are long canal like pools.

Shelbi enjoying the sights of the river formation

After leaving the National Fish Hatchery, we rode the bus to Three Forks to the Headwaters State Park. At the park you can observe where the Missouri River forms. The Gallatin, Madison and Jefferson come together to meet and the Missouri is born.  The group hiked a ridge and walked the trail that some of Lewis and Clarks' group may have walked.