Members of the I&FW have been in the area recently releasing fish into local waters. Pictured are Gene Arsenault (left) and Keith Carpenter from the Embden Fish Rearing Station in Kingfield last week. See story inside. (David Hart photo) KINGFIELD –- Fishing will be a whole lot better in the Carrabassett River after fish culturists Gene Arsenault and Keith Carpenter of the Embden Rearing Station delivered 1,000 brook trout. The fish on average are about 10 inches long and were released below the dam in downtown Kingfield. Additional fish are expected to be delivered south of the airport in Carrabassett Valley.

Tuesday, April 13 they delivered 1,000 fish to Porter Lake. On Thursday they delivered trout to the Sandy River in Phillips, Farmington, Farmington Falls and New Sharon.

The Embden facility raises fish for over 200 bodies of water annually. More than 260,000 fish or 90,000 pounds of ether brook or brown trout, landlocked salmon and splake come from Embden. Nearly one-third of the state population of fish is raised at the Embden facility. Delivering two to three loads a day, these fish culturists serve the Rangeley Lakes, Jackman Moose River and Upper Kennebec River Valley Region.

Arsenault explained that today’s technology produces much healthier and more natural looking fish. It’s hard to differentiate a stocked species from a native. Over 10 years ago, the state switched and established the Kennebego strain over the Maine Hatchery strain which has improved rearing success and genetics.

Arsenault and Carpenter said they get great enjoyment in delivering fish and love seeing both locals and tourists getting out to enjoy fishing.

“We are all fishermen and have a passion for it,” Carpenter explained. “We do it because it’s what we do when we’re not working.”

The governor passed an emergency bill to start the fishing season a week early this year. With early springlike conditions, the Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife has a jump start on fish stocking by more than a full month.

“Get outside and enjoy the sport of fishing,” Arsenault said. “Take advantage of this opportunity because this is what we do.”