The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Warmer temperatures and melted ice mean the annual walleye spawning operation on Fort Peck Reservoir getting into full swing.

According to Heath Headley, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Fort Peck biologist, agency staff and volunteers are again trapping fish and taking eggs from areas in the upper Big Dry Arm of the reservoir. “The reservoir is about 2.5 feet higher than last year,” Headley said, “but we will continue to focus the operation near Nelson Creek.”

FWP staff have been working on setting up spawning barges, holding pens, and test nets since the first w...