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Posts: 474
| Hey guys
Our local Muskies Inc chapter is working with our state hatchery to purchase and install anti-predation nets over the hatchery rearing ponds. Tons of baby muskies are lost to various predatory birds and the netting we provide will help keep the birds out. The state does not have the money to spend so we have been fundraising to purchase these nets
My question is does anyone here know another hatchery in their state or elsewhere that uses large ponds with nets that we can get some info from. We are trying to determine how to best setup the netting and supports so it is cost effective and not a pain in the a$$ for the hatchery workers
Any help is appreciated
Thanks
KevinJ |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Illinois uses them, I think Iowa also uses them. They are very costly when I last checked to install properly and there might be other less costly options like air cannons or electronic devices that can deter the birds. My personal favorite is to have someone at the hatchery get the permits needed to "deter with extreme prejudice" any herons, egrets, cormorants, etc. that want to feast on the muskies. The permits are obtained through US F&W I believe. |
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Posts: 474
| Thanks Will
Does anyone have contact info for hatchery in IL or IA?
Thanks
Kevin
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| the aqua farms I used to visit had nets over the "ponds". It's closed now.
But others ones may be a source. Those birds are smart though, they would gang up in the middle and weigh the net down an each a a turn at pecking the salmon and trout in the head. good luck |
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | Not sure we use nets in Iowa, at least at the Spirit Lake facility but I can find out. |
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Posts: 409
Location: Almond, WI | Jake Wolfe Hatchery in IL put out the call to IL clubs for volunteers to help put up the nets this year. I would contact someone from there for info. |
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Posts: 16
| Lost Valley Hatchery in Warsaw, MO uses nets on their ponds. Our local club (Pomme de Terre Muskies Inc) just bought some for them
They use 2" medium from Endurance Nets out of New Jersey. Phone 800- 808 - 6387. Two years ago I did a thourough search and could not beat their prices. If you are a non-profirt group hit them for a 10% discount.
Denis |
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Posts: 75
| Here is the contatct info for IL:
Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery
25410 North Fish Hatchery Road
Topeka, IL 61567
309-968-7531
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | In Iowa:
Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery
122 252nd Ave., Spirit Lake, IA 51360
712-336-1840
I don't know how much research the hatchery in question has done concerning why their returns are low, or if they are indeed related to avian predators and not just part of the cost of doing business with muskies that are disease prone little cannibals. If this has all been considered and the answer is nets then please disregard the following. One thing to consider is the type of pond and the losses overall. Get the specifics on pond return and weigh that against other states/hatcheries to see if the nets are a wise investment. Some ponds are diffucult for wading birds to do much damage especially if they have steep banks and are lined. Earthen ponds with shallow angle banks seem to have the most problem and would benefit the most from the nets. As far as return goes here's a little info that I've been able to gather over the years.... consider nets or other method to remove or scare avian predators if the pod returns are lower than 60% and can be attributed to avian predators and not disease or cannibalism. Returns from a pond in the 70-80% range is very good and even with netted ponds about as good as it gets.
Lastly, it is my belief that these guys need to know how to evade avian predators because in most instances for the first couple weeks they're stocked their #1 predator will be birds. Basically, some loss needs to be accepted to let darwinism work.
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Posts: 474
| thanks for the info guys I knew I could count on the muskie community
Thanks Again
Kevin |
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Posts: 198
| If blue herons and other wading type birds are a problem you could try putting up tree swallow boxes around the pond. I read a study someplace that the swallows chased the herons away. Can't remember the distance needed between houses though but I remember thinking it wasn't too bad. |
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