DNR: No musky or sturgeon egg collections this spring
Due to the coronavirus pandemic and concerns for employee safety, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will not collect lake sturgeon or muskellunge eggs this spring.
The moves mean the state hatchery system will not produce 2020 year classes of the popular species and consequently none will be available for stocking this year.
In addition, sucker eggs also will not be collected. The fish are reared and used as forage for game fish in the hatcheries.
The decisions to suspend the sturgeon and musky operations were made after consultations among the fisheries staff, said Todd Kalish, DNR deputy fisheries director.
Lake sturgeon egg collections require close contact between DNR staff, other agency staff and volunteers, Kalish said.
Health guidelines, including those under the state’s safer-at-home order, recommend keeping at least 6 feet of space between people in work and social environments.
In addition, many of the spawning areas where the DNR conducts sturgeon activities are currently closed due to the pandemic, according to Kalish.
Musky egg takes are unique in that they require significant staff effort and travel to collect eggs for musky and suckers for forage.
In addition, musky egg take requires close contact among staff since two people are typically required to hold and handle the fish.
The agency made an exception this year for walleye egg take, which proceeded with adjustments to work schedules and practices to comply with current health and safety guidelines, Kalish said.
The DNR takes walleye eggs from the Menominee River, Red Cedar Lake and Big Arbor Vitae Lake in order to meet its statewide stocking needs.
As of April 30, the DNR had finished egg collections from the Menominee River and Red Cedar Lake. The agency met its egg goals at each site.
It was still working at Big Arbor Vitae Lake and hope to complete walleye egg take the last week of April or first week of May.
The Wisconsin hatchery system was deemed “essential” under state business guidelines and has maintained operations throughout wider shut-downs.
Hatchery staff completed the planned stocking of trout and salmon in Lake Michigan as well as inland trout.
It also completed collection of steelhead eggs at facilities on the Kewaunee and Root rivers.
CALENDAR
Sunday-Tuesday
Fourth period of spring turkey hunt.
May 23
Musky season opens in northern zone.
June 20
Smallmouth bass harvest opens in northern zone.
Wildlife stamp contests
Artists looking to have their work featured on a piece of history have until July 15 to submit artwork for the 2021 Wisconsin wild turkey, pheasant and waterfowl stamp design contests.
The contest is open to anyone 18 years of age or older living in Wisconsin who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Artwork must meet certain technical requirements to be eligible.
Funds derived from the sale of these stamps contribute to restoration and management efforts on thousands of acres of wildlife habitat in Wisconsin.
The contest winners for the 2020 stamps were Robert Metropulos of Arbor Vitae for waterfowl and Brian Kuether of Greenfield for wild turkey and pheasant.
For contest rules, entry information and reproduction rights agreements, visit the Wildlife Stamps page on dnr.wi.gov.
Stamp design entries must be received or postmarked by July 15 to be eligible. Judging will take place in late July or early August.