The fish are delivered in mid May and are held in the pens along the river walk in Manistee. The project plants almost 100,000 Chinook salmon fingerlings that will stay in containment pens in the channel for approximately one month getting accustomed to the water in their new home. During their month in the pens, the fish will triple in size while being fed by automatic feeders. The weather usually determine how long the fish are held.

The Manistee County Sport Fishing Association sponsors the Net Pen Project annually with the help of the Department of Natural Resources. MCSFA board member Steve Hamilton organizes this project with the cooperation of many individuals who donated their time and services to help make it successful.