The McDuffie State Fish Hatchery in Dearing, Georgia produces Striped bass fingerlings each spring to be stocked into Georgia reservoirs, including Clarks Hill Lake. The hatchery was in need of a new tank to harvest and ship these fingerlings. This new tank is designed to greatly decrease handling and stocking stress on young Striped bass at this crucial age, insuring a better survival rate for newly released fingerlings. Perhaps the most important benefit of the new tank is its ability to allow Fisheries personnel to properly maintain critical oxygen levels during transport, and to be able to temper the small fingerlings in a much more efficient manner; abilities the older hauling tank did not afford. The new tank is constructed of fiberglass, as opposed to aluminum, making it much lighter and easier to handle, and making any future modifications less costly.
Hatchery staff is very thankful to the Clark Hill Striper Club and the Appalachian Striper Club for this generous donation, and look forward to assisting these clubs in any way possible in the future.
George Atnip
McDuffie PFA and Hatchery
Over the past five years, CHSC has raised money through sponsorships, Open Fishing Tournaments, and other fund-raising activities and as a result has been able to donate over $21,000 in equipment to DNR including the following:
-oxygen meter
-electro fishing unit used in the shocking boat
-4-stroke, 75 hp Mercury outboard motor
-6 aeration units for the McDuffie County Fish Hatchery
-hauling tank for McDuffie County Fish Hatchery
