Kokanee Spawning: Hatchery Workers Gather 3 Million Salmon Eggs

Workers at the Flathead Lake Salmon Hatchery have gathered about three million eggs from Kokanee salmon in Lake Mary Ronan.

The eggs will help the hatchery supply 1.2 million two-inch kokanee to waters in western Montana as well as eggs to other hatcheries, such as the Big Springs Trout Hatchery in Lewistown.

Hatchery manager Mark Kornick says last year's efforts gathered 1.6 million eggs. The hatchery is managed by the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Kokanee salmon are a landlocked version of Pacific sockeye salmon and typically spawn in October and November in western Montana.