SPIRIT LAKE - Crews with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources placed fyke nets in the outlets of the sloughs that flow into Big Spirit Lake on April 9 to start collecting northern pike. Northern pike spawn in sloughs and shallow vegetated areas around the Iowa Great Lakes prior to ice leaving the lakes.
A total of 257 adult northern pike were collected in one night. The fish were transported to the Spirit Lake Hatchery. The broodstock produced over 2.4 million eggs which are currently being incubated in special jars that allow fresh water to flow over the eggs, supplying oxygen.
In less than two weeks, the fry will hatch and be stocked into Iowa's shallow lakes.
The Spirit Lake Hatchery is open to the public. Starting Friday, April 14, hours of operation will be 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., 7 days a week, through April 30.