Once again volunteers helped make the annual fish lift in Cobourg a success on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Over 50 volunteers from all over Ontario and all ages came out and lifted 189 rainbow trout (110 females and 79 males) over the dam at Pratt’s Pond at the intersection of Ontario and Elgin Street in Cobourg.
Christine Jubenville-Clarke, one of the organizes who organizes this event each year, said volunteers help “push” the fish up Cobourg Creek where they are pushed into a pond area where it is easier for volunteers to net the fish. Volunteers net the fish, place them in a holding bin and then lifted them over the dam and then released.
“This is important because we want to continue to maintain the reproduction of the rainbow trout. The fish are able to grow, thrive and live longer because there are no predatory fish up the creek to eat them.
With fish staying up the creek longer they have a better survival rate.”
Approximately 60 years ago the Ministry approached the Pratts Pond fishing organization. The group of local anglers has continued the tradition through generations of families.
Jubenville-Clark was introduced to the tradtiion when she was 25 years-old when her father Jim taught her. Soon after her son (Carter) started helping when he was seven-years-old and at age 23 years-old continues volunteering every year.
“We could not do it without volunteers. If we didn’t have these people, it wouldn’t be successful. We want to continue having the younger generation involved, so that when I’m not here or other members of the organization are not here, they can continue on this tradition.”
Having experienced anglers organizing the event each year, it’s also a perfect opportunity to teach upcoming anglers.
“It’s hands-on. We have three people out here (Carter Clarke, Frank Grooves, & Alex Begg) that are leading the pack that are educating volunteers about water levels, water temperature and why we are doing this . It’s hard work going against the water.
When the event first started decades ago there was 10 brown trout for every one rainbow trout.
“Now we’re lifting the rainbow trout over the dam, up the creek so they can go to the spawning beds in Baltimore. It takes approximately three days for the rainbow trout to make their journey to Baltimore. We don’t lift any salmon or brown trout over the dam. If we did it would defeat our purpose. This would reduce the population of the rainbow trout.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
