This fall, all lakes in the three-county area, including both Prior and Spring lakes, received a surplus of walleye fingerlings, roughly the size of a human adult finger, supplied by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
"Because of excellent production from DNR walleye fingerling ponds, we were allowed to stock at 110 percent of the poundage quotas," said Taylor Polomis, DNR fisheries specialist.
On Lower Prior lake, 11,829 fish (that's 410.83 pounds of walleye fingerlings) were released in the lake on Oct. 5 and 19 and Nov. 8. The expected quota to be released was 373 pounds.
On Upper Prior, 10,136 fingerlings were released Oct. 5, 6 and 19. A total of 362 pounds was actually released while 329 pounds was the expected quota.
On Spring Lake, 8,988 fish or 321 pounds was released on Oct. 6 and 11, with 290 pounds expected.
"This is the first time in my 23 years in Minnesota DNR fisheries management we were able to stock these levels throughout our area," said Polomis.
Though the fingerlings won't be mature enough for this season's ice fishing, the ice-over dates are fast approaching. According to Stacy Sass, DNR water-resources technician, "The historical records show ice-over dates anywhere from Nov. 14 (1970) to Dec. 24 (2001), with the last week of November and the first week of December being the most common."