The last few adults left in the Hatchery creek ( 12 to 14, two year old males) were removed up to the spawning race at Rangitata South Irrigation. They may attract some females into the race and along with a lone female may start something up there. A site was chosen for an incubator which will also help to populate this stream.

Returns to McKinnon's Creek this year have reflected the low numbers of adult salmon returning to all Canterbury rivers and to date approximately 90 fish have returned. this is made up of around 60% to 40%, females to males. This compares to between 450 and 900 in previous years.
Although numbers are down, the quality of the eggs is good so far, and around 70,000 fertilised eggs are under incubation in the hatching shed. A few fish are still trickling in to the trap and we may still end up with enough to complete at least 30% of our annual programme.