Mike Lemon started out as a basketball player but choose fishing over a University scholarship in Hawaii. He travelled from the Gulf of Alaska to the Gulf of Georgia following the fishing lifestyle, long lineing Halibut, gillnetting salmon and herring, and crabbing, but his true passion was his years as a West Coast troller. He began building his own troller at Oona River with the help of boat builders Fred Letts and Axel Hanson and in 1968 he and wife Jan began tolling on MV Equinox. He knew early on what sustainable fishing meant and was keen to do his part in insuring there would always be salmon for the future. In the winter months he spent many years doing the salmon enhancement and enjoying his family and friends. He loved to be either on the ocean or at Oona River helping out whenever he could, never asking for glory or gain.

Mike Lemon began his involvement in the SEP program in the late 70s when West coast trollers, along with DFO realized that the coho stocks were declining. In 1980 a Program was initiated by DFO with Don Lawseth and in 1979 Mike, his wife Jan and 4 other fishermen began to learn how to do salmon enhancement. It was tough going in the early years as the run of coho at Oona River had declined to near extinction, Mike and his fellow volunteers keep at it even though the nay-sayers called it "salmon extinction" instead of enhancement. The river slowly began to come back with a good solid run of coho returning. Over the years Mike was involved where ever he could be of best help. When the new facility was built upriver during the time of Fisheries renewal and the coho crises he was there to offer the crew a helping hand whenever he could. His support was always given to Jan who by that time had become the fish teck and hatchery manager. He especially loved brood stock time and his big strong hands kept the males in line when they were taking milt. In August 2017 he received a beautiful SEP watch for more than 35 years of volunteer work.

Mike passed away quickly and peacefully on the morning of January 4, 2019; sitting in his favourite chair at home in Oona River. Mike is survived by his lifelong partner Jan Lemon, daughter Pam Lemon (Des Shearing), son Daniel Lemon (Kristina Smythe), grandchildren Teagan and Keelan Lemon-Shearing, brother-in law McKay Innes and many niece, nephews and cousins. He will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched. The presence at his memorial of his first CA Barry Peters and his present CA Rob Dams, and the many young people, especially hatchery summer students or kids around the community, showed how much he was loved.