Muskie Student Exchange Program

The Muskie Student Exchange Program was a joint venture between the Friends of the Spanish River and the Ministry of Natural Resources. It was designed to include the grade school children who live along the lower Spanish River in an on going Muskellunge re-introduction program.

The reintroduction program and the 'Student Exchange' were wrapped up with at the "Muskie Merriment Celebration" at the Four Seasons Complex in Spanish, Ontario, on November 6th 2003. Students, industry sponsors, non-profit organization members and key political figures attended.

Program Time Line

September 17, 2003 – Introducing … the Muskie Student Exchange Program
Amber Hamilton gave her pitch to the principals of nine area grade schools and the response is unanimous! All schools were anxious to participate.

October 6, 2003 – It’s Muskie Mania!
Amber Hamilton and Seija Mallory travel to participating schools to set up tanks and present muskie facts to students and teachers. The ‘Name the Muskie Contest’ is unveiled and students receive Muskie Bookmarks!

October 15, 2003 – Muskie ‘Exchange Students’ Arrive at Host Schools
Christine Selinger and Seija Mallory bring the muskie fingerlings to their new schools – two to each class. Everyone is bubbling with excitement! ‘Name the Muskie Contest’ ballots are collected.

October 31, 2003 – And the Winner of the ‘Name the Muskie Contest’ Is…
St. Mary’s Catholic School in Massey, Ontario! Congratulations, Ms. Wagler’s Class

November 2, 2003 – It’s Time to Go…
Students say goodbye to their finned friends. MNR Biologists remove the fingerlings from the in-school aquariums in order to prepare them for their big send off!

November 6, 2003 – Muskie Merriment!
Students of Ms. Wagler’s grade three/four class are VIP’s at Spanish’s Four Seasons Complex where their muskie friends are released into the Spanish River. Games, snacks and prizes were enjoyed by all. Presentations and awards are made to thank the project’s valued contributors.

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From One School to Another…
On October 15, 2003 nine area schools each received a brand new aquarium containing two muskie fingerlings. These “exchange students were graciously welcomed by the host schools, and were made part of the curriculum during their three-week stay. The host classes received the fingerlings’ “student files” as well as cameras and photo albums to record their favourite “muskie moments”.

Participating Schools…
Spanish Public School – Lindy Spencer – Grade 3/4
A. B. Ellis Public School – Ms. Parks & Ms. Hreljac – Grade 3 & 2/3
S. Geiger Public School – Ms. Adams – Grade 3/4
Ecole Saint Joseph – Madame St. Claire – 3/4
Ecole Sainte Anne – Madame Julie – Grade 5/6
St. Mary’s Catholic School – Ms. Wagler – Grade 3/4
Sacred Heart Catholic School – Ms. Sauve – Grade 3/4
Beedaben First nations School – Ms. Toulouse – Grade 3/4 & 5/6
Webbwood Public School – Ms. Lenard – Grade 3/4

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Name the Muskie Contest…
What do you call a 54 inch, 45 pound female muskie caught in McGregor Bay in the North Channel? We don’t know either! That’s why we need you.

Amber Hamilton and Seija Mallory will bring the nameless fish friend into your class to give you one good look and then it is all up to you! The winner will be chosen and prizes awarded at the Muskie Merriment Party on November 6, 2003.

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Muskie Merriment…
On November 6, 2003 the muskie exchange students were reunited with their families in the Spanish River. A class of young VIPs stocked those fingerlings and said farewell to their finned friends.

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A Special Thank You to Our Valued Partners and Contributors…
Friends of the Spanish River
Hon. David Ramsay, Minister of Natural Resources
Mike Brown, MPP & MNR Parliamentary Assistant
Ministry of Natural Resources, Espanola, Ontario
Environment Canada
Falconbridge Ltd.
NAR Environmental Consultants
Muskies Inc. Fox River Valley
North Shore Anglers and Hunters Conservation Association
Recreational Fisheries Institute of Canada
Township of Shedden
Sir Sandford Flemming College, Aquaculture Program
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Fish America Foundation / Wildlife Forever
Espanola Fish and Game Protective Association
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Muskies Canada Inc.
INCO Ltd.
Domtar Inc.
Chamberlain’s Fish Culture Services

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Seija Mallory, MNR Biologist
Christine Selinger, MNR Biologist
Amber Hamilton, MNR Communications
Carole Trepanier, MNR Communications
Mike Butler, Doctoral Candidate, MNR Genetics Lab
Markus Schwabe, CBC Radio
Marcel Golec, FSR Chair
Lesley Piche - Webpage Design & Site Maintenance
Produced for The Friends of the Spanish River by Bill McKenna,
in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources