From the MN DNR Website at: Number of walleye fingerlings stocked nearly doubles (2004-12-09)
State and private fish hatcheries produced three million walleye fingerlings for stocking in more than 250 lakes this year, almost twice last year’s total of 1.7 million fingerlings, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The number of fingerlings increased because the average size and weight of fingerlings decreased. This year’s fingerlings averaged four to six inches or about 21 fingerlings per pound. Last year’s fingerlings were six to eight inches, or about 10 fingerlings per pound.
“Fingerlings stocked at a rate between 10 and 35 per pound provide the maximum benefit to anglers,” said Roy Johannes, who coordinates the statewide fish stocking programs for DNR. “At that size, the fingerlings are large enough to avoid predation from other fish species and plentiful enough to provide a good return to anglers.”
This year’s total of approximately 144,000 pounds represents 90 percent of the annual walleye-stocking goal, which was increased from 130,000 pounds to 160,000 pounds this year. State and private hatcheries have produced about 139,000 pounds of walleye. Private hatcheries are under contract for an additional 5,000 pounds.
The DNR purchased one million walleye fingerlings weighing 40,000 pounds from seven private producers. “Purchasing a portion of our quota from the private sector worked very well and we look forward to continuing the relationship in the future,” Johannes said. The DNR produced the remaining fingerlings.
Ron Payer, program chief for the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, is optimistic that in future years, the DNR and private fish producers will meet the goal of 160,000 pounds called for in the Conservation Agenda, a report that contains natural resource indicators and targets for 2003-2007.
“We have the capacity,” Payer said. “When weather conditions are good, we will likely meet or exceed our goals. There will also be years when production might be below the goal. Over time we’ll meet the goal on average.”
Under the Accelerated Walleye Program, the DNR has stocked an average of 136,000 pounds of fingerlings, including 113,000 pounds in 2000 and 161,000 pounds in 2001, 98,000 pounds in 2002, 165,000 pounds in 2003 and 143,000 pounds this year. Raising fish in natural ponds will cause annual production to fluctuate, because environmental variables cannot be controlled.
“We are somewhat at the mercy of the weather,” Payer said. “The upside is that it’s a low-cost way to produce fingerlings because we use the pond’s natural productivity to grow the fish.”
In addition to stocking walleye fingerlings, the DNR also stocked also stocked other cool-water species, including:
– 2,830 pounds of walleye fry in 242 lakes this past spring. Each pound contains approximately 100,000 walleye fry.
– 22,000 pounds of muskie fingerlings to be stocked this fall, which includes 2,100 fish purchased from a private fish hatchery. Each year, the DNR stocks between 20,000 and 30,000 fingerlings in 15 to 40 designated muskie lakes.
– 30,000 lake sturgeon fingerlings were stocked in four lakes and two rivers as part of the Red River restoration project in northwest Minnesota. The DNR stocked 17,867 fingerlings and the White Earth Reservation stocked the remaining fingerlings. Sturgeon stocked by the DNR included fish reared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and in the private sector.