Hotspotoutdoors

I know the ice is just coming off the lakes. How soon will there be fish in the hatchery? I am assuming pike may already be there and the first walleyes and muskies will be coming in soon?

If you have never been down to the Spirit Lake hatchery it is a good experience for both adults and kids too see. It never gets old for me to see fish of that size only a few feet away I try to make a trip down there every year.

Pike are in!!! They started on tuesday. The guy I talked to said a week or so for the walleyes with the colder forcast.

I always make sure that I stop by the hatchery each year. Some of those walleye and northern really have to have some age to them. Very interesting if you have never stopped there yet...

I am bringing the family down on the opener for a week. Does the hatchery have tours?

You can visit the hatchery any time during the hours that it is open and just walk through. There are signs describing what is going on at each tank and there are workers there that can answer any questions that you may have at the time. I am not sure if there are ever actual tours at scheduled times...

By opener the fish will be back in the lakes. I hope to have time to help again this year with the netting, it is an interesting experience.

That would definitely be a cool experience. If you do help out make sure you post some pics. Im sure not many people realize how the whole process works and how fast everything actually happens.

Anything new happening at the Hatchery?? Are they bringing in any more fish?

I didn't get a chance to stop in when I was down there on Sunday but im almost certain that they should have walleyes by now or are will be getting them within the next few days I would assume muskies would be in the same time frame and pike should be getting released soon if they aren't gone already.

Far as I know walleye and muskie has not started yet but will soon.

just an update for everyone who is thinking about going to the hatchery. I stopped in there today and they had no fish. They have already released the pike and will be starting with walleyes and muskies next Wednesday or Thursday night depending on what the weather does this weekend. I was also told that if they end up starting with walleyes next week that next weekend will be the first weekend they will be open otherwise regular business hours are 8-4 M-F.

Figured with the weather they were holding off a bit, warmer temps after the Blizzerd forcasted. I might be netting fish instead of fishing next weekend.

Any updates?, thinking of coming down this fri

Thanks
perchlips

The phone number for the hatchery is 712-336-1840 I would call to make sure they have started before making a special trip.

Last I heard they will be starting late this week.

Thanks for the info

perchlips

They have sign up that says
"No big fish yet will start gill netting April 10"
I take it there were lots of ppl asking when they are starting

I know when I was a kid in Spirit Lake this was always my favorite time of year. Every few years they net a State Record muskie too. I remember every year we walked around and saw the fish, then doing the same in our High School classes.

So today is April 10... Hows the progress???

Starting tonight

Sounds like the boys had a great night, an 11# eye and a 35# muskie are the biggest netted so far. Not sure on total numbers but I think it was well above expectations.

441 walleyes and 51 skis and stipped bass and sheephead

AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHH! sorry, calling white bass 'stripers' is a huge pet peeve of mine. now should be the time to start catching those scrappy fighters at the spillway.

Any new info on the hatchery?

Eyes netted through Monday, according to the numbers I have.

Friday: 441
Saturday: 371
Sunday: 749

No muskie numbers yet but I think 35# is the biggest. I might swing by there after my DR's appointment today and get totals.

Lots of fish in there right now also an 11#+ walleye.