BASIC TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL SPAWN TAKING
Neil Van Gaalen
Former Hatchery and Brood Station Manager Colorado Division of Wildlife


During my tenure with the Colorado Division of Wildlife I accrued more than 30 years experience in taking spawn. I found that good techniques will result in less than a 10% pick-off. These tips cover two categories; wild fish spawning in natural conditions and domestic spawners raised in a hatchery environment.

The natural diet of wild fish gives them high quality eggs which will result in a very low pick-off. These fish are caught in fish traps placed at inlets or outlets of lakes or they are caught in rivers. When taking eggs in an open environment the sunlight shining on the spawning pan can have a negative impact on the fertilization process. This is particularly true in the late spring or summer when the sun is very strong. During this time it is advisable to construct a small shelter to protect the spawning pan from direct sunlight.

The fish should be presorted to separate the ripe females from the green ones before the spawn taking begins. Normally, when a female is ready her belly will become very soft. Separating the ripe females ahead of time enables the spawning process to proceed at a fast rate. The reason, of course, is to reduce the time that it takes for the eggs and sperm to come together. I have always used a glove on my left hand (I am right handed) in order to be able to hang onto the tail of the fish better while using my right hand to strip the eggs. Forcing the eggs from an unripe female is bad news.

For optimum fertilization, eggs from a couple females may be stripped into the pan and then be fertilized with a couple of males. More eggs may be added with additional sperm. Then the eggs should be rinsed in clear water to remove the sperm, placed in a container of clear water and allowed to water harden.