{"id":32842,"date":"2021-10-06T19:13:06","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T19:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/10\/06\/keep-em-frying-3000-channel-catfish-released-at-macdill-air-force-base\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:28:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:28:04","slug":"keep-em-frying-3000-channel-catfish-released-at-macdill-air-force-base","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/10\/06\/keep-em-frying-3000-channel-catfish-released-at-macdill-air-force-base\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep \u2018em frying: 3,000 channel catfish released at MacDill Air Force Base"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MacDill Air Force Base <\/a>is best known as the home of two of the U.S. military\u2019s most important headquarters, U.S. Central Command<\/a> and U.S. Special Operations Command<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But to the folks stationed at or visiting the Tampa, Florida, installation, MacDill is also a paradise for fishing enthusiasts, with a marina, miles of shoreline and several freshwater ponds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, just as the base\u2019s Eisenhower-era KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling fleet requires upkeep, so too do the waterways. To that end, last week, personnel from the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service\u2019s Welaka National Fish Hatchery to release approximately 3,000 channel catfish <\/a>into several lakes and ponds on base, according to MacDill\u2019s homepage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFishing is a long-time hobby for me. It facilitates a connection between nature and the resources that I work hard to protect,\u201d Andrew Lykens, the 6th CES Natural and Cultural Resources manager, said in an article posted on the homepage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service\u2019s Welaka National Fish Hatchery releases channel catfish at Lewis Lake on MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 1, 2021. These catfish, which are roughly 2 years old, were acclimated to Lewis Lake before being released by Welaka National Fish Hatchery, the only federal fish hatchery in Florida. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The move comes as part of a greater effort to preserve and protect \u201cdelicate ecosystems\u201d all over MacDill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are pulling a couple of missions together here for the 6th Air Refueling Wing,\u201d said Kevin Kish, the 6th CES Installation Management flight chief. \u201cWe have the flying mission going on overhead, and here, on the ground we are bringing in some natural resources as part of the [squadron\u2019s] contribution to our local environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The channel catfish, meanwhile, took a circuitous route to MacDill. The hatchery spawns various fish on-site, according to the homepage, but it also has an ongoing partnership with the state of Florida specifically for channel catfish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fish stocked at MacDill are initially spawned at Richloam State Fish Hatchery, north of Tampa, then transported to the Welaka Hatchery in Welaka, Florida, where they are raised for nearly a year until they reach a catchable size. Before releasing the fish into the waters at MacDill, hatchery personnel were responsible for keeping the water temperature in the tank truck comfortable for the new habitants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After mitigating land erosion and overgrown aquatic vegetation, personnel have worked to increase the fish population, \u201cwhich gives the MacDill community more opportunity to land a big one,\u201d the MacDill homepage says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fishing is just one of many recreational opportunities at MacDill, which also boasts two golf courses, a long running track along the water and rental boats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of research supporting the mental and physical benefits of spending time outdoors, whether fishing, hiking, biking, or just hanging out with family and friends,\u201d Lykens told MacDill officials. \u201cI strongly encourage everyone to get outdoors and find an activity to participate in that feels right for them!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n