BROOKINGS – The Brookings Wildlife Federation will host Game, Fish and Parks fisheries biologists Dave Lucchesi and Mark Ermer, who will talk about results of their recent surveys of area lakes, the status of the annual walleye egg-take program, and prospects for fishing.
For the May 7 meeting, the group will again meet at noon in the Outdoor Adventure Center, 2810 22nd Ave. S. in the OAC’s archery range, where it is possible to “social distance.”
A light buffet will be available for a free-will donation.
At this annual get-together between the Federation and GFP biologists, GFP speakers discuss information on new rules and regulations, but attendees are usually most excited about the results of GFP test-netting in area lakes.
For example, netting results (and angler catches) in the Highway 81 lakes show that the musky stocking program has been successful. However, Lucchesi says that the walleye spawning was off schedule, and minimal in this region, but GFP set nets back into Sinai to catch the walleye spawners when they finally ripen up. Meanwhile, Lucchesi’s crew moved to the Missouri River, where they helped with the spawning effort at Mobridge. Ermer reports that there has been much better success in northeast lakes, which have been the primary source of eggs this year.
The walleye spawning program requires the biologists to set nets as soon as the ice goes off of area lakes. Walleyes are spawning when the water temperature gets to the upper 40s. Fish in spawning condition can usually be “stripped,” meaning that the eggs and sperm can be pressed from the fish into containers where fertilization takes place.
The adult walleyes are returned to the lake. The fertilized eggs are taken to Blue Dog Fish Hatchery where they are hatched and reared for restocking.
The young fish “fry” are restocked by the millions as 6-day-old fry, or as 3-inch-long fingerlings after they spend one summer growing in hatchery ponds or small natural wetlands. The infolunch is open to the public.
The BWF is affiliated with the South Dakota Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation. The BWF is in its 40th year of supplying conservation information and activities to the Brookings community.
For more information, contact BWF President Spencer Vaa at 695-6867.
The Link LonkMay 07, 2021 at 12:52AM
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BWF to discuss fish management in area and fishing prospects - Brookings Register
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