03-31-2004, 12:20 AM
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] [font "Georgia"][#0000cc][size 2][/size][/#0000cc][/font] DNR to buy more walleye for stocking
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is contacting operators of large and small private aquaculture facilities in hopes of purchasing about 40,000 additional pounds of walleye fingerlings this fall to help increase stocking in the state’s lakes.
"We are glad to be able to partner with the private sector to help meet our stocking goals," said DNR Fisheries Chief Ron Payer. "We have been very pleased with the quality of fish obtained from the private sector."
Since the Accelerated Walleye Program, designed to increase walleye stocking efforts, was fully funded in 2000, the DNR has stocked an average of about 134,000 pounds of fingerlings each year, including 113,000 pounds in 2000, 161,000 pounds in 2001, 98,000 pounds in 2002 and 165,000 pounds in 2003. An average of 2.3 million walleye were stocked per year during this period.
Beginning this year, the goal for walleye fingerling stocking will be increased to 160,000 pounds or approximately 3 to 3.5 million fish per year as part of the Accelerated Walleye Program.
To provide opportunities for smaller hatcheries to submit bids, the DNR will break the 40,000-pound walleye order into 16 smaller bids. Walleye fingerlings will need to be 4 to 10 inches long and be delivered from Sept. 20 through Dec. 20.
The DNR will also purchase 8,000 muskie fingerlings, 2,000 tiger muskie fingerlings and 5,000 sturgeon fingerlings. Only private fish hatcheries or aquatic farms licensed by the Minnesota DNR are eligible to bid. Persons interested in bidding on DNR fish purchases should contact Roy Johannes at (651) 296-3325 for more information.
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] [font "Georgia"][#0000cc][size 2][/size][/#0000cc][/font] DNR to buy more walleye for stocking The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is contacting operators of large and small private aquaculture facilities in hopes of purchasing about 40,000 additional pounds of walleye fingerlings this fall to help increase stocking in the state’s lakes.
"We are glad to be able to partner with the private sector to help meet our stocking goals," said DNR Fisheries Chief Ron Payer. "We have been very pleased with the quality of fish obtained from the private sector."
Since the Accelerated Walleye Program, designed to increase walleye stocking efforts, was fully funded in 2000, the DNR has stocked an average of about 134,000 pounds of fingerlings each year, including 113,000 pounds in 2000, 161,000 pounds in 2001, 98,000 pounds in 2002 and 165,000 pounds in 2003. An average of 2.3 million walleye were stocked per year during this period.
Beginning this year, the goal for walleye fingerling stocking will be increased to 160,000 pounds or approximately 3 to 3.5 million fish per year as part of the Accelerated Walleye Program.
To provide opportunities for smaller hatcheries to submit bids, the DNR will break the 40,000-pound walleye order into 16 smaller bids. Walleye fingerlings will need to be 4 to 10 inches long and be delivered from Sept. 20 through Dec. 20.
The DNR will also purchase 8,000 muskie fingerlings, 2,000 tiger muskie fingerlings and 5,000 sturgeon fingerlings. Only private fish hatcheries or aquatic farms licensed by the Minnesota DNR are eligible to bid. Persons interested in bidding on DNR fish purchases should contact Roy Johannes at (651) 296-3325 for more information.
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