GFP Collects Fish Eggs for Stocking South Dakota Lakes

PIERRE, S.D. – A late spring and unpredictable weather did not keep the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department fisheries staff from conducting annual egg operations that are needed to meet the state’s fish-stocking needs.

GFP typically begins egg collection in early April, but the operation was delayed a week or more in most areas due to ice and winter-like conditions. Egg collection efforts ended May 10.

The primary species targeted was the walleye. GFP collected about 61 million walleye eggs for rearing at Blue Dog Lake State Fish Hatchery. Some fish will be stocked as newly hatched fry, and some will be raised to a larger fingerling size, depending on the stocking needs of various lakes.

Fry and fingerlings will be used to stock lakes across South Dakota. Many lakes in the eastern part of the state do not have naturally reproducing walleye populations and completely rely on stocking efforts.

GFP also reached its egg-collection goal of 5 million for northern pike and 13 million for yellow perch.