RAPID RIVER -- Every spring, walleye eggs are taken out of Little Bay de Noc for the walleye stocking program in the Upper Peninsula, and on Tuesday, a crew from Thompson State Fish Hatchery collected eggs to take back to the hatchery.
Another part of the day included walleye tagging.
The crew was at the Rapid River boat launch, conducting their work. A tag goes into the jaw of the fish and has a unique number on it. The information includes the sex of the fish, the length, and where it was caught.
According to Darren Kramer, Fisheries Management Biologist with the Department of Natural Resources, the tagging study helps them estimate how many walleye are harvested from the system every year.
"Walleye fishing in the U.P. is a very popular sport," said Kramer. "It's generational. So the research we do in working with partner groups to raise and stock walleye are really making fishing better and keeping that resource strong for everybody to enjoy."
About 500 more walleye will be tagged later this week when the water warms up.
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