Salmon Spawning Efforts Complete

Fisheries crews have completed their annual salmon spawning operation at Lake Sakakawea, reports Dave Fryda, Missouri River System supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Riverdale.

Nearly 500,000 eggs were collected from Sakakawea and the Garrison Dam Tailrace. “We surpassed our goal of 350,000 eggs,” Fryda said. “Montana just sent us a request for 150,000 eggs, so we will be able to meet their needs.”

Average size of female salmon was about 6 pounds, slightly bigger than last year. In addition, fish condition was better, and the number of eggs per female increased.

Current plans are to stock approximately 75,000 salmon in Lake Sakakawea and 50,000 in the Missouri River.

Fryda said fisheries crews won’t spawn anymore fish unless South Dakota sends a request. “If they need additional eggs, we will get them more,” he said.

Chinook salmon begin their spawning run in October. Since salmon cannot naturally reproduce in North Dakota, state Game and Fish Department and Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery personnel collect and fertilize eggs and transport them to the hatchery.

Once the eggs hatch, young salmon spend several months in the hatchery before being stocked in Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River.