Posted April 30–
-by biologist Heath Headley
The weather conditions have continued to cooperate in the Big Dry Arm of Fort Peck Reservoir. Water surface temperatures have increased to 50-53F throughout our trap netting locations. These favorable water temperatures have allowed us to capture good numbers of walleye since the last update.
Nearly all female walleye captured over the last several days have been ripe. Very few greens have been collected. In addition, numbers of spent (released eggs) female walleye have increased indicating walleye spawning activity will be winding down.
We’ve managed to hold an egg-take each day (4/24 to 4/26) since the last update, thanks to good numbers of ripe female walleye captured in the trap nets. These egg-takes on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday averaged close to 10 million eggs each day which quickly brought the total to approximately 83 million eggs for the season. This should provide enough eggs at the Fort Peck and Miles City fish hatcheries to meet fry and fingerling stocking requirements for 2024.
On behalf of the fisheries and hatchery staff at Fort Peck, I’d like to thank all the volunteers who assisted with this year’s efforts. Be safe on the water and best of luck fishing this year!
Doug Voight with a big green female walleye on a nice day.
