Walleyes Forever |
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Fort Peck Walleye Spawn Update: May 7, 2008 with 44 million walleye eggs From HEATH HEADLEY Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks BIG DRY ARM, Fort Peck Reservoir -- This increase in warmer water is starting to signal a new wave of spawning activity. Other species such as shorthead redhorse and river carpsuckers are starting to make their way into the trap nets where the walleye once were. Water temperatures in the upper portion of the Big Dry Arm are ranging from 55-59 degrees. After two days of fishing, our trap nets only collected 17 ripe, 10 spent, and 5 green. We did have a couple of fish ripen up in our holding pens. However, a couple were released due to poor egg quality (reabsorbed and over-ripe eggs) during the egg-taking process. As a result, only 16 walleye gave us a little under 3 million eggs for the final day of the 2008 walleye spawn. This should bring our grand total to 44 million eggs for 2008 walleye spawn. On behalf of the reservoir and hatchery staff, I would like to thank all the volunteers who contributed this year and look forward to seeing you again next year. Thanks again to everyone, and best of luck fishing in 2008. Copyright, 2008  BigSkyOutdoors.Net |