(Orleans)– Another spring ritual is about to get underway on the Iowa Great Lakes.
Donna Muhm of the state fish hatchery in Orleans tells KUOO news the Department of Natural Resources will begin its annual gillnetting operations this Friday, April 9th.
Muhm says six crews will go out each evening for about a week or so setting nets perpendicular to the shoreline. Walleye, musky and northern pike are collected and brought to the hatchery where they are spawned, before being returned to the lake. The fry is then reared at the hatchery and are used to stock area lakes.
Muhm says DNR personnel from various areas of the state will once again conduct the operations this year. She adds DNR Director Rich Leopold is even going to assist on one shift.
Depending on weather and water temperatures, Muhm says the netting operation will take about a week to 10 days to complete. The hatching process will continue another four to five weeks.
Muhm says the fish hatchery in Orleans will once again be open extended hours during the gillnetting operations. She says the facility will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. daily and that the public is more than welcome to stop by and view the process.
