Officials had to drill three wells on the site to provide water free of the whirling-disease parasite before construction of the new hatchery started in 2006.

The Utah Legislature approved money for the renovations. Wildlife officials say the new hatchery will outperform the old version by 25 percent.

Fisheries biologists expect the Midway Hatchery to produce roughly 180,000 pounds of fish in its first full year of operation, 2009. The old hatchery required six full-time employees; technological advances will allow the new facility to run with four staffers. The Midway Hatchery will play a major role in stocking Strawberry Reservoir.

Volunteers needed

Cache Anglers and Utah Trout Unlimited are seeking volunteers to help with the Spawn Creek rehabilitation project in Logan Canyon. The buck-and-rail fence work will take place June 14 starting at 9 a.m. at the trailhead. Contact Chris Thomas at cthomas@engineering.usu.edu for more information.

Baseball and fishing

The Salt Lake Bees and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are offering a chance to win a Lowe ST 175 boat and other prizes like a fishing trip with Bees players. The promotion, which runs through July 20, is funded by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation; minor-league teams in 30 states are participating.

For details, visit www.wildlife. utah.gov/news/08-05/bees.php.

Winter kill

Wildlife officials confirm that Crouse and Calder reservoirs in northeastern Utah suffered a loss of fish from winter kill. The reservoirs will be restocked with catchable-size rainbows when conditions allow. Some fish made it through the winter at Calder. Nearby Matt Warner Reservoir did not suffer a winter kill.

Winter kill happens when fish suffer a lack of oxygen or a buildup of lethal chemicals from interaction between soil and water. Both can happen when surface ice prevents oxygen exchange between water and air.

Willard Bay woes

Repairs in the dike at Willard Bay Reservoir are continuing. The reservoir has been kept low to facilitate the repairs. Utah State Parks officials report that Willard Bay is at 45 percent of capacity.

Boats can launch at the north marina with approximately 6 feet of water at the ramp and 3 feet outside the marina mouth. The south marina is closed to launching. Boat docks and slips are not available. The park rescue boat is not in the water, so boaters are advised to use extreme caution and boat at their own risk.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation predicts the work will be done by fall 2009.

Youth fishing club

Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway is holding a youth fishing club June 11 through July 16 for kids 5 to 12. The group meets every Wednesday beginning June 11 from 9 to 11 a.m., to learn fishing skills, etiquette and about natural resources. Each week offers a short lesson on various fishing topics, followed by time spent fishing the visitor center pond. Space is limited; 435-654-1791.

Deer Creek doldrums

Improvements on the dam at Deer Creek Reservoir mean there will likely be boat ramp closures. Work requires that the water level be lowered to no more than 50 percent of normal capacity. Deer Creek Island Resort, on the east shore of the reservoir, will remain open throughout the summer season for boat launching and other water recreation as water levels allow.

Blue Ribbon Fisheries program

A program about the history and funding needs of the state's Blue Ribbon Fisheries Program will be held May 29 at 7 p.m. at Western Rivers Flyshop, 1071 E. 900 South in Salt Lake City. Paul Dremann, chairman of the Blue Ribbon Fisheries Advisor Council and Utah Trout Unlimited vice president of conservation, will be the guest speaker.

For additional information, contact Western Rivers Flyshop at 521-6424

or Fred Reimherr at 918-6491.

The program is sponsored by the shop and the Stonefly Society, which is the Salt Lake chapter of the national conservation group, Trout Unlimited.