ODNR Just Gave Vermilion’s River over 20,000 Fish

On the morning of April 26, 2025, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Vermilion Port Authority hosted a community trout stocking event at the South Street Public Boat Launch, drawing city officials, local students, and members of the public.

The event began at 10:00 a.m., with attendees from Vermilion Local Schools, Lorain City Schools, and the broader community gathered to observe the release of thousands of steelhead trout into the Vermilion River.

An ODNR representative opened the event, explaining the stocking process and acknowledging the partnership between the state, the Port Authority, and the City of Vermilion. A local Catholic priest then offered a brief spoken blessing for the fish and the waters. Mayor Jim Forthofer addressed the crowd next, highlighting the value of the program: “This is a great example of the state, the city, and our schools working together. This event is as much about conservation education as it is about fisheries.”

Chris French, fisheries biologist with ODNR’s Division of Wildlife, then detailed the science behind the program. “Today, we’re stocking just over 20,000 steelhead trout right here in Vermilion,” he said. “Earlier this week, we stocked the remainder. Altogether, Vermilion will receive about 55,000 fish.”

These trout were raised at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County, using eggs brought in from Wisconsin approximately one year ago. French explained: “They’ve been raised to about seven and a half inches in size. They’ll spend about two weeks in the river, then head out to Lake Erie. After a couple of years of growth, they’ll return as adult fish.”

The Vermilion River is one of seven Lake Erie tributaries that receives a portion of the 450,000 steelhead stocked annually by the Division of Wildlife. The fish will grow in the lake and eventually return upstream to spawn, supporting both recreation and ecological balance.

French also discussed ODNR’s inland stocking program. “We do have other stockings in inland lakes and ponds with catchable-sized rainbow trout,” he said. “That’s more of a fish-in-a-barrel experience, where we want people to catch them quickly before temperatures rise.”

The Port Authority helped coordinate student attendance, ensuring safe viewing access and engagement for the younger participants. Students watched as ODNR officers carried bins to the edge of the dock and gently released thousands of steelhead into the flowing water.

The event gave Vermilion residents a close-up look at state-level conservation work happening right in their own backyard. For many students and residents alike, the trout stocking offered a rare and lasting connection to the natural resources that define the region. With agencies, educators, and local government aligned in purpose, the event served not only as a science lesson, but as a reminder of what’s possible when partnerships take root.