By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL

The Island’s favorite fishing ponds were stocked last week with rainbow, brown and tiger trout. The annual pilgrimage of bringing fresh fish over from the Cape took place on Thursday, March 24. They were delivered in an unusual Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife truck.

Uncle Seth’s, Old Mill, and Duarte’s Pond in West Tisbury received the bulk of the fish. The Head of the Lagoon, which is shared by the towns of Oak Bluffs and Tisbury got the rest.

Steven Hurley, southeast district fisheries manager, said that the delivery of the fish is underwritten by a state dedicated fund. The money to pay for the fish comes from the sale of sportsman’s licenses, federal reimbursement and gasoline taxes on boats.

This year the state-run fish hatchery in Sandwich raised over 60,000 pounds of fish. The state has owned the hatchery since 1912, though it is older than that.

The state keeps track of the fish delivered: 175 rainbow trout, around 12 to 14 inches in length along with 25 tiger trout were delivered to the Head of the Lagoon. A total of 150 rainbow trout were delivered to Old Mill Pond, and the same went to Uncle Seth’s Pond. A total of 150 brook trout were delivered to Duarte’s Pond.

Ten tiger trout were delivered to the Head of the Lagoon. Five were delivered each to Uncle Seth’s, Old Mill and Duarte’s Pond.

Island recreational fishermen count on these freshwater fish, for it represents a significant part prior to the saltwater recreational fishing season. There are only a few local native trout and pickerel in Island streams and ponds. The state will make another delivery on Friday, April 14. Another trip is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 5.

Most adults are required to have a license to fish in Massachusetts and the state has revamped the way they sell fishing licenses. State saltwater and freshwater recreational fishing licenses are available online at mass.gov/dfwele/licensing/index.htm This is the first year that Massachusetts is selling a recreational saltwater fishing license. Check the Web site for details.