Fisheries crews completed their annual salmon spawning operation on Lake Sakakawea, collecting 1.9 million eggs.
Russ Kinzler, North Dakota Game and Fish Department Missouri River System fisheries supervisor, said the 2024 spawn was almost perfect with lots of fish and great weather.
“The numbers of fish in the spawn this year were amazing to see, and we saw a noticeable increase in the size of our salmon compared to last year,” Kinzler said. “In addition to collecting enough eggs for our needs, we were able to help South Dakota by collecting over 715,000 eggs for their salmon program.”
Kinzler said the eggs should be enough to stock the 350,000 smolts planned for Lake Sakakawea in 2025.
The average size of female salmon was 5.8 pounds, more than a pound larger than last year. The largest salmon was 9.7 pounds.
Chinook salmon begin their spawning run in October. Since salmon cannot naturally reproduce in North Dakota, Game and Fish personnel capture the fish and transport them to Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery where they are relieved of their eggs.
Once the eggs hatch, young salmon spend about six months in the hatchery before being stocked in Lake Sakakawea.
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