Massive fish rescue in Estevan area

The aftermath of flooding in the Estevan area leftthousands of fish in peril until a massive rescue effort was launched last week.

More than 8,000 walleye, perch, pike and other species were swimming around in shallow pools close to the Rafferty Dam spillway.

When the pools started to dry up, the oxgyen was depleted and the fish had nowhere to go.

That's when area volunteers and staff from various government agencies, including SaskPower, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, got involved.

Sportsman Donald Holinaty was one of the volunteers who scrambled to return as many fish as possible to nearby reservoirs.

He said he heard a sound of flopping fish "like dogs trying to run through water" and knew they had to act fast.

"The oxygen was cut off from them. You knew what was going to happen potentially in the next 72 hours when the oxgyen would have been depleted," he said. "It wouldn't have been pretty."

Starting Aug. 10, and for several days afterward, people went into the puddles with nets and started moving fish to the Rafferty reservoir and to a channel that led to the Souris River.

Meanwhile, the Rafferty was opened up slightly to allow a trickle of oxygen-rich water into the pond.

Between 5,000 and 6,000 walleye, bass and perch have been rescued so far, according to the Watershed Authority.

Some of the fish were well over nine kilograms. In addition to the more familiar species, there were also bluegills, channel catfish, and bullheads saved.

Holinaty said the survival rate was very high, something his whole family is feeling good about that.

"I have three little girls myself...they're all avid fishermen," he said. "They see one dead fish, they're asking, 'Why Daddy?'"

There are still about 2,000 fish in need of rescue.

Volunteers will be back rescuing more fish next Tuesday and Wednesday and any additional help will be welcomed, Holinaty said.

"Thanks to the local volunteers...we don't turn anybody away," he said.