Its a sign of spring in Kenosha, roughly 40,000 salmon fingerlings arrived at the Kenosha Rearing Pond Friday as part of a decades-long conservation effort to boost the salmon population in Lake Michigan. The small fish will spe nd three weeks imprinting on the local water before being released into the lake, where theyll return as full-grown salmon in a few years to spawn.This is about conservation, said Russell Mann, president of the Kenosha Sportfishing and Conservation Association. We want to conserve the fish in the Great Lakes so that they're here for generations to come." The project not only supports local biodiversity, it also brings in tourism. Kenosha has one of the highest salmon catch rates and each year, people travel from across the country to fish these waters, generating millions in tourism revenue. Watch: 40,000 salmon fingerlings arrive in Kenosha to boost Lake Michigan fish population Kenosha County stocks salmonCommunity members and volunteers gathered to welcome the fingerlings and celebrate the citys role in sustaining Lake Michigans ecosystem. "I wanted to contribute to just not only conservation but sustainability specifically for our lake," said Trey Mitchell. "I think that just this project alone is pretty rewarding, not only for the fish but for the community."The KSFCA is currently looking for volunteers to help feed the fish during their time in the pond. If you're interested in volunteering, email ksfca06@gmail.com. Its about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for TMJ4 on your device.Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip ...read more read less