Spirit Lake Hatchery Pics

[cjac]

I saw these pics in the Iowa forum and thought you might like to see them.

Esox_Magnum has spent a few nights with the fisheries crew down there and took some pretty cool pics. I'll let Shawn add a few comments, but the biggest this year was a 37lber.

Thanks for sending me the pics!

[Esox_Magnum]

A good year for netting for the future of muskie fishing. Several females in the 48" range including the 37 pounder, last years top fish was a 47 pound bruute. Also 4-5 over 40" males. Not sure on final count but close to 200 muskies netted. I'll try and get more numbers as to how many from what lakes after the crews are done sorting and get some well deserved rest. These guys run hard this time of year, my buddy that works theres going on his 26th day straight. It was interesting spending a few nights with the crews and seeing what all goes on in the wee hours of the morning.

Thanks Chris for posting the pics, hope you guys enjoy.

[Nick Kuhn]

I always thought eggs and melt were stripped on site? Or is that just walleye?

[Esox_Magnum]

Both muskies and eyes are taken to the hatchery till they are ripe then stipped of eggs. With the gill nets its to long a process to try and do in the boats to my understanding. The shorter time the fish spend in the nets the better for the fish. Keep in mind I'm not a biologist just the answeres I got to some of the same questions.

[Nick Kuhn]

Ahh. I had just seen the pics on this page: http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1025232/fpart/3

Very interesting stuff though.

[Black_Bay]

In Minnesota muskies are stripped on site at the lakes.

[Cooter]

Awesome pics but pure torture!

[imhooked]

 Originally Posted By: Cooter

Awesome pics but pure torture!

Time for dreaming of that elusive 50 incher.

Came close on ST. Louis Bay.

When I get that 50-plus incher, I will have entered the realm of the Muskie Gods and them be deemed worthy.