Trout in the classroom

The Basin raw water pond is now fully stocked with 132 rainbow trout thanks to Greybull Elementary School’s third-grade class. Teacher Jamie Keisel hosted Wyoming Game and Fish and Trout Unlimited’s Trout in the Classroom program in her class for the second year in a row, this go round with high success. 

“I loved seeing the students be excited at how the fish change so quickly at first, and then seeing how much they grow every week,” Keisel said. “They were so excited to release them into the raw water pond in Basin and maybe be able to fish there knowing they helped stock that pond.”

Keisel’s class received their eggs in the “eyed” stage, about halfway through their incubation process, on January 7 from a hatchery in Dubois. Their tank had already been cycling since Thanksgiving. Keisel said the Trout in the Classroom program ties in wonderfully with their WyoWonders curriculum: learning about agriculture, raising stock and crops, which animals are raised and sold for profit and which are preserved for the future generations. The trout fit into that latter category. 

“They also learn about the different life stages of the trout, how to test the water to keep them healthy, and some jobs that are available to them in the future,” Keisel said. “Planting the fish in the pond helps get them excited to know they contributed to the outdoor recreation in our area, and they become better stewards of taking care of the land and animals around us.”

Trout in the Classroom has existed nationally more than 30 years. Wyoming Game and Fish helped GES students release their fingerlings in Basin on Tuesday, May 5 and taught them about responsible recreation. 

“This program allows the students to see the fish up close and be able to interact with them more than they ever could in the wild. They see the different life stages and learn about the importance of clean water and protecting our waterways,” Keisel said. “They also learn that you can’t just put any fish in any water you want. We want to protect the native species and help them survive.”

Seven Big Horn Basin schools participated in the Trout in the Classroom program this year, roughly 345 students. Fish were also released in Homesteader Park Pond in Powell, New Cody Reservoir, Airport Pond in Worland, and Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center pond in Lovell. 

“The unique experience of bringing trout directly into the classroom helps students develop a new understanding and appreciation for their local fisheries, aquatic life cycles and reinforce science curriculum by providing a hands-on experience,” Tara Hodges, Information and Education Specialist with Wyoming Game and Fish, reported. 

Applications for the upcoming school year will open on July 1. Teachers interested in learning more about the program can complete the Trout in the Classroom interest form at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/education-camps/conservation-education/conservation....