Crystal Lake Fisheries celebrated their 60th anniversary this month, and was honored to host the United States Trout Farmers Association in Branson on Sept. 10.
The local trout fishery had hosted the association 10 years ago in honor of their 50th anniversary.
The association had a conference that included a series of aquaculture meetings, updates on current legislation concerning trout farming, an update of rules and regulations and was finished by a banquet, according to David Emerson, a co-owner of the business.
Crystal Lake produced a DVD of pictures in the fishery’s history for viewing during the conference.
Marvin Emerson, president of Crystal Lake Fisheries, is treasurer of the USTFA board of directors.
Wes Emerson, the eldest of the four Emerson siblings, said that he recalled when their parents (Dwight and Mary Alice) first bought the farm, the roads were nearly impassable.
He recalled parking and walking on a swinging bridge over the creek to get to the farm.
The farm then had only outdoor holding pens for the fish, but now they have indoor spaces to keep workers out of the elements while working with the fish.
