Devils Lake walleye hatch sets record

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department says rising water in Devils Lake has helped produce the largest natural walleye hatch that fisheries crews have ever documented.

Randy Hiltner, the northeastern district fisheries supervisor, says the annual fall reproduction survey produced a lakewide average catch of 107 walleyes per net. That compares with the 17-year average of 17 walleyes per net and is more than twice the previous high of 45 per net in 1997.

The lake has risen nearly 27 feet since 1993 and tripled in size to more than 140,000 acres. That has reduced the saltiness of the lake and boosted walleye egg hatching.

Hiltner says strong populations of spawning-age walleyes, favorable weather and ample food sources also contributed to the banner hatch.

Hiltner says it is too early to know what the strong hatch will mean to fishing. He says the young walleye will need to survive up to five years before they are nice, catchable fish.

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Information from: Grand Forks Herald, http://www.grandforksherald.com

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