HALF-MILLION REDBREAST STOCKED IN STATE RIVERS
More than a
half-million redbreast were stocked recently in rivers
in Clarendon, Williamsburg and Chesterfield counties by the S.C. Department
of Natural Resources.
Redbreast fingerlings, which should reach a catch able size by the
summer of 2004, were stocked in the Black River, Pocotaligo River, Santee
River and Great Pee Dee River during October.
In
Clarendon County, 151,415
fish were stocked into the Black River, and 120,000 into the Pocotaligo River.
In Williamsburg County, 43,000 redbreasts were stocked into the Black
River, 189,100 into the Santee River.
In
Chesterfield County, 11,640 fish were
stocked into the Great Pee Dee River.
All of the fish stocked were produced at Cheraw State Fish Hatchery,
which is supported by revenue from the sale of fishing licenses.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) annually stocks from
seven to 10 million fish in state waters, including striped and hybrid bass,
largemouth and smallmouth bass, channel and blue catfish, bluegill,
redbreast, redear sunfish (shellcracker), and rainbow and brown trout.
Anglers in South Carolina spend almost $742 million to fish each year,
making the sport, with economic multipliers factored in, a billion dollar
business in the Palmetto State.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources operates seven hatcheries
statewide: Dennis Wildlife Center in Bonneau, Cohen Campbell Hatchery in
West Columbia, Cheraw Hatchery, Glenmore Shirey Hatchery in Newberry, Spring
Stevens Hatchery in Heath Springs, Barnwell Hatchery, and Walhalla State
Fish Hatchery. The state hatchery program is an integral part of South
Carolina's rich and varied sport fishing tradition.
For information on the DNR's fish stocking program, call (803)
734-3891 in Columbia.
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Written by Greg Lucas -