Colorado Walleye Spawning

Colorado Parks and Wildlife aquatics biologists continue annual walleye spawning operations at Pueblo Reservoir, collecting eggs that help support walleye fisheries in reservoirs across Colorado. Efforts began on March 16, 2026.

Spawning efforts at Pueblo and Cherry Creek Reservoirs have been a cornerstone of the state’s walleye program since 1986; this season the goal is to collect and fertilize approximately 127 million walleye eggs. Colorado partners with other states by supplying fertilized walleye eggs, while those states provide CPW with sauger milt to produce saugeye, a walleye-sauger hybrid. 

Walleye are the second-most-popular sport fish in Colorado, behind trout, and interest in fishing has grown in recent years as more people discover the state’s reservoirs and outdoor recreation opportunities. The spawning effort helps ensure those fisheries remain strong for longtime anglers and newcomers to the sport.

“This work is critical to maintaining strong walleye fisheries across Colorado,” said Carrie Tucker, aquatic biologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Pueblo. “Walleye are one of the most popular sport fish in the state, and the eggs collected during this effort help produce the fish anglers enjoy in reservoirs statewide. The fish can reproduce naturally in Pueblo Reservoir, but without spawning efforts like this, the population would be much lower than it is today.”

During the spawning period, crews launch from the North Marina boathouse at Pueblo Reservoir each morning to retrieve 32 gill nets set where walleye gather to spawn. Fish captured in the nets are carefully removed and transported back to the boathouse where biologists and volunteers sort them and prepare males and mature females for spawning. 

Volunteers play a crucial role in the process, pulling nets, sorting fish, helping staff untangle, repair, and prepare the nets each day so they can be reset for the next round of fish collection. “Volunteers are phenomenal, and we truly couldn’t do this project without their help.”

During spawning, biologists gently collect eggs (roe) from female fish, milt from male fish, and combine them in a controlled fertilization process. The eggs and milt are stirred with goose feathers, a technique that allows them to be stirred gently without damage.

After fertilization, eggs are transported to the Pueblo Hatchery where Colorado Parks and Wildlife hatchery technicians oversee incubation and care for the developing fish. Many of the newly hatched fish are stocked into Colorado waters as “fry” just days after hatching, while others are raised longer until they reach fingerling size before being released.

Several student groups visit the boat house and and tour the Pueblo Hatchery during spawning. These groups range from elementary classrooms to college students, including fisheries and biology students from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and CSU-Pueblo, giving students a hands-on look at aquatic science and wildlife management.

Later in the spring, CPW staff return to Pueblo Reservoir to stock young walleye produced through the spawning effort, completing a process that begins each March and helps sustain fisheries across Colorado’s reservoirs.

A Successful Operation

Aquatic Biologist Carrie Tucker says staff and volunteers at Lake Pueblo and Cherry Creek reservoirs completed walleye 2026 spawning operations with 127 million fertilized eggs delivered to Pueblo and Wray hatcheries. In the days ahead, walleye fry and saugeye will be stocked throughout the state.

Written by Dean J. Miller. Dean is the Southeast Region Public Information Officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.