Hatchery works to strengthen walleye population, improve fishing [Video]

JANKOSKI. THIS IS NBC5 NEWS> WORK IS UNDERWAY IN THE CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS THIS WEEK, AIMING TO IMPROVE SPORT- FISHING IN THE LAKE AND ITS MAJOR TRIBUTARIES. AT THE HATCHERY IN GRAND ISLE, THE VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE IS BOOSTING THE WALLEYE POPULATION — THROUGH CAPTIVE BREEDING. THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR THE SPECIES NATURALLY SPAWNS. SO A TEAM WENT OUT AND CAUGHT MALE AND FEMALE WALLEYE. THEY’RE GATHERING MILLION OF EGGS AND FERTILIZING THEM — EXPLAINING THAT IN THE WILD, WALLEYE HAVE A áLOW SURVIVAL RATE FROM THE EGG TO HATCH STAGE. WITHOUT HUMAN HELP — THE DEPARTMENT SAYS OUT OF A HUNDRED OR 2- HUNDRED áTHOUSAND EGGS PER FEMALE, MAYBE ONLY A FEW INDIVIDUAL FISH WOULD SURVIVE TO ADULTHOOD. BUT GIVING THEM A START AT THE HATCHERY DRAMATICALLY INCREASES THOSE NUMBERS. <“THEY’RE ALREADY FEELING THE EFFECTS OF STUFF LIKE GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND POLLUTION. SO ON …