Spirit Lake Hatchery

[perchlips]

I was just wondering if they have any fish coming in?

Or is there ice on the lakes yet? Any info would be great

Thanks

Perchlips

[Esox_Magnum]

Still iced up, hoping this wind and rain will help get rid of the ice. I'm going out hopefully to help net this year time and weather permitting of course. Theres a slight chance there will be fish in the hatchery on opener if this ice holds much longer. They are starting to net Storm this weekend so I'm hoping by next weekend we are running.

[perchlips]

Thanks for the reply Esox, hoping to bring the boy down to

see some fish when it happens.

Thanks

perchlips

[Esox_Magnum]

I'll post when they start filling the tanks.

[PerchPounder]

With the ice still being arounnd for the time being. There is a pretty good chance of fish being there for opener. I've been there quite a few times and its still pretty cool seeing fish that big only a few feet from you.

[Esox_Magnum]

Netting has started.

[PerchPounder]

Im just guessing but there should be a healthy supply of muskies and pike which are the first spawners? Have they started netting walleyes as well?

[Esox_Magnum]

Pike are done and over with, Walleyes and Muskies now.

[Esox_Magnum]

1300+ eyes in the tanks and 144 Muskies. I'm riding along with a friend tonight so numbers will increase.

I got pics but no clue on how to post them and don't think I can link to them??

[PerchPounder]

If you want to email them to me I'd be happy to post any pics for you.

[Esox_Magnum]

150 or so more eyes last night and a few more 30 pound muskies, 1 walleye weighing in at 10.15

[perchlips]

Esox_Magnum

How long do you usually keep the fish at the

hatchery?

perchlips

[Esox_Magnum]

Untill they are all milked, My guess is the weekend will be the end of it.

[PerchPounder]

Esox, do you have any pics to post? you can email them to me and ill post them for you. [email protected]

[Esox_Magnum]

i sent them last night check your mail

[PerchPounder]

hmmm. nothing there.

[Esox_Magnum]

sent to your yahoo address

[PerchPounder]

Did you resend them? I haven't gotten anything yet.

[Esox_Magnum]

On their way again

[PerchPounder]

Here they are. I can speak from experience and say that these pics really don't do these fish justice. It is really a site to see for anyone who hasn't been to the hatchery make the trip its very cool.

Excellent pics Esox!

[muc33]

Sweet pics, thanks! Always a fun trip to get the kids to and gain them some knowledge.

[delmuts]

great pics!! just seeing those fish gets ones' heart pumping !

[Esox_Magnum]

10.4 pound eye taken last night nice fat 28" fish. Last night was the end of netting so only a few more days before they release the fish back to the lakes. Rough count 1700+ walleyes netted and 300 or so Muskies. I got to ride in the boats while pulling nets last night neat to watch and help. Was a bit brisk with the north winds and 40 degree temps, our nets only yeilded 1 eye rest were non target fish such as carp and white bass. One crew netted a 6# smallie and a couple had cats over 20#.

[PerchPounder]

Do they release all the carp and other unwanted fish? yellow bass which they don't want or so I was told buy the DNR.

[Esox_Magnum]

Everything but the walleyes and muskies are counted and imediatly release. The 3 nets I helped with last night yeiled about 150 sheephead, a few carp, buffalo 1 northern and several whites. Nothing is culled or taken out of the system as far as I know. What surprised me honestly was the 2 20 pound plus catfish caught on West.