Since 2010, Nor’East TU chapter has worked on the Mill River in Rowley and Newbury to restore migratory fish runs. In April and May, the river Herring return along with sea lamprey. In the winter, sea run trout spawn in the lower reaches of the river. Any sightings of fish in the river are important and please let us know. In 2023, migratory fish are responding to improvements in the Mill River and Ox Pasture Brook, a tributary. Here is a photo of a lamprey in the Mill River on May 16, 2023.

Sea Run Brook Trout Restoration on the Mill River

On Friday, April 23, 2010 the Nor’East Chapter was well represented among the 28 volunteers who participated in First Light Anglers privately funded stocking of sea run “salter” brook trout in the Mill River. A literal bucket brigade ferried the trout from the stocking truck down a steep embankment to the river below. Once there the fish were loaded into stocking pens designed by Patrick Brown so that they could be ushered miles downstream before being released. Over 500 salters were float stocked in the Mill River and Ox Pasture Brook.

The complete story was covered in the Newbury Current. A PDF file of that article can be downloaded here.

Chapter President, Kevin Correa, describes
the project to local reporters

One of the stocking pens designed by Patrick Brown
is being shepherded downstream

Hatchery owner Dr. Wayne Miller fills
Bruce Bromby’s first couple of buckets.

Nor’East members Kevin Correa, Gary Uhring, Dave Williams
and Tom Schultz form the bucket chain.

First Light Anglers crew and Nor’East TU Chapter
members move down stream to release the trout.

Photos courtesy of John LeJeune