MUSKEGON, Mich. — Fishermen along the Muskegon River are being asked to stay aware of efforts to collect walleye eggs to help bolster populations in other bodies of water.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be collecting over 23 million walleye fry, raising them to fingerling size and stocking area rivers, ponds and lakes.
Officials will be collecting below Croton Dam starting March 18 through April 12. Electrofishing boats will be moving through the area to collect the eggs.
Experts say this helps keep the walleye population up, which is essential for many inland lake ecosystems.
"This adult population consists of mostly stocked fish," said Ed Pearce, DNR fisheries technician supervisor who coordinates the egg take. "The Muskegon River has the largest run of walleye in the Lake Michigan watershed south of Green Bay, and the walleyes contribute to populations in other areas. For example, based on angler tag returns, walleye from the Muskegon River have been recaptured in Lake Macatawa, Spring Lake, Manistee Lake and Port Sheldon Lake, as well as the Grand, Kalamazoo, Pere Marquette and White rivers."
Any fishermen wanting to avoid the collection boats should fish downstream. Fishermen are also asked to leave the water when the electrofishing boats come through.
Officials say electrofishing collections start at Croton Dam around 8 a.m. and proceed downstream to the Pine Street Access Site. If more eggs are needed, additional collections may occur downstream to the Thornapple Street Access Site.
The fish will be stocked in other lakes and rivers throughout the state in late spring or early summer.
The exact dates of the collections will vary depending on parameters like water temperature and the presence of fish.
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