05/15/2026
On May 4th, 2026, two members of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Mike Siepker, Dan Kirby) gave a presentation to the Cedar Valley Walleye Club (CVWC) regarding the current and future status of interior river walleye stocking. This presentation was recorded and is available below.
Overview:
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In the past, river walleyes were stocked at the Fairport Fish Hatchery, near Muscatine on the Mississippi River. This facility is over 100 years old and utilizes outdoor ponds, which have been susceptible to AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species), predators, and aquatic rodents. Ultimately, AIS concerns forced the Fairport Fish Hatchery to stop production of non-Mississippi-bound fish in Fall 2024.
Near-term (2025-2030), interior river walleye will be sourced from Rathbun, Decorah, and Genoa fish hatcheries. Unfortunately, the expected supply will be lower than the DNRs annual desired amount, which is ~100k annually. In recent years, the DNR received ~60-100k walleye fry/fingerling for interior river stocking. (Generally 80-100k, but 1 year was reduced due to flooding). In 2025, the DNR received only 7,420 walleye for stocking, which was a direct result of the decision to no longer utilize the Fairport Fish Hatchery in Fall 2024.
Long term (2030), the DNR is investing in a new RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) that will allow fish to be raised indoors, in a controlled environment. This will allow for better survival of fry/fingerlings, reduction or elimination of AIS, and easier management of aquatic disease. The first river RAS will be set up at Big Spring Fish hatchery on the Turkey River, near Elkader, IA.
Iowa interior river walleye populations remain healthy, but will see a reduction in stocking over the next several years until the RAS is finished. The RAS units are expensive, but arguably less than the alternative - which is digging and maintaining fish in manmade ponds. The current best course of action to help the DNR with interior river walleye stocking is funding. The Cedar Valley Walleye Club recently donated $1,580 (a combination of donated money and club money) to the RAS project.
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On May 4th, 2026, two members of the Iowa DNR (Mike Siepker, Dan Kirby) gave a presentation to the Cedar Valley Walleye Club (CVWC) regarding the current and...
