Fisheries and hatchery staff at Fort Peck concluded their annual Chinook salmon collection egg-taking efforts this week. A total 809,530 eggs were collected this season, which was the second most eggs collected since collection efforts began in the mid-1990’s!
Overall, the size of Chinook salmon collected during electrofishing efforts averaged in the teens, and fish looked very healthy. This is likely thanks to a high abundance of cisco currently in Fort Peck Reservoir. In addition, an ample amount of cold water habitat during the summer months and favorable water temperatures during collection efforts also appeared to promote good egg quality.
Hatchery staff should know the eye-up (an indication of initial survival) percentage of the eggs by mid-November, and eyed eggs will begin hatching by the end of Nov. through early Dec.
After the fry use up their egg yolks and develop a functional stomach and moving mouth parts, staff will begin feeding the young salmon around early to mid-January, with the intent to be stocking fingerlings back into Fort Peck Reservoir in June of 2024.
Hopefully some of you anglers will be able to catch these salmon in a few years!
(by biologist Heath Headley and hatchery manager Wade Geraets)
