Maine is home to the last remaining wild Atlantic salmon populations in the United States, making local conservations efforts critical. To help protect Atlantic salmon, the Maine Council of the Atlantic Salmon Federation collaborates with Maine educators to introduce young learners to the challenges faced by endangered Atlantic salmon. The Fish Friends program engages students through hands-on learning about the migratory lifecycle of Atlantic salmon and creates awareness for the importance of protecting our local environment.
7 Lakes Alliance is pleased to once again be a program host site.
Atlantic Salmon Lifecycle
As part of the spring 2026 project to re-populate healthy streams with salmon, 7 Lakes Alliance received 200 Atlantic salmon eggs in late February. We are raising the Atlantic salmon from the egg stage, until the fry stage. During development, we match the fish tank water temperature to the river release site water temperature.
Once the river reaches the desired 50º Fahrenheit temperature, usually in mid-May, black fly larvae and other aquatic insects start to hatch. These insects serve as the salmon’s first meal, and act as indicators for when the salmon are ready to be released into the wild.
Watershed And River Connection
The Sandy River flows into the Kennebec River, just like the Belgrade Lakes watershed. The Sandy River is one of Maine’s few designated salmon release sites, thanks to its good water quality and minimal barriers, such as dams. These conditions are important factors for Atlantic salmon and their migratory lifecycle. Atlantic salmon are anadromous, meaning they are born in rivers and streams, migrate to the ocean to live their adult lives, and then return to the same stream they were born in to reproduce. We will release our Atlantic salmon into the Sandy River alongside students from Mt. Blue Middle School.
The Atlantic salmon are growing in a special tank located in the 7 Lakes Alliance building now through mid-May. The public is welcome and encouraged to visit and view the salmon tank. 7 Lakes Alliance is open to visitors, Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Atlantic salmon release, May 2025
Sally Whittington
Community Engagement Coordinator
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