(Orleans)– State budget cuts will result in some changes in the D-N-R’s annual gillnetting operations on the Iowa Great Lakes.
Donna Muhm, Natural Resources Biologist with the D-N-R, says for the first time ever, all of the gillnetting will be conducted by fisheries personnel from throughout the state, with help coming from as far away as the Fairport Fish Hatchery near Muscatine. In the past, local citizens were hired to help out.
Another change due to the budget situation will be in the hours the fish hatchery will be open to visitors. Beginning April 9th, the hatchery in Orleans will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. seven days a week. In the past it had been open to visitors around-the-clock while the gillnetting operations were going on.
Weather permitting, Muhm says gillnetting operations will start April 9th. The daily routine will consist of stripping of female walleye at about 8:30 a.m.; sorting of fish at about 6:00 p.m. and stripping of male walleye at about 7:00 p.m. A variety of other operations will be available for viewing at other times during the day.
