It’s a little fish, but there is more to the walleye story
Black Hills Energy, Jacobson Legacy Fund major supporters in 2026
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When the walleye fish release occurred last week, there were multiple experts involved with the project.
The Hamilton County Conservation department, which coordinates the project with help from volunteers and donors, have many donors each year which help fund the walleye release project. Primary donors this year were the Doug "Jake" Jacobson Legacy Fund, and Black Hills Energy, which was incorrectly named in the articles last week. But families like the Pat Thompson family, and other local donors are contributing regularly to continue this program by making donations to the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation and Friends of Hamilton County Conservation to insure the walleye project happens each year.
Those efforts are continuous. This year the City of Webster City, through the Hotel Motel tax grant, awarded the project with funds that will help support the 2027 and 2028 walleye purchases.
"The walleye are reserved and purchased ahead of delivery to make sure the fish hatchery holds the 600 fish for our walleye project. After ordering is placed, which is usually in the spring, then the hatchery raises those fish to get to the desired 9-10 inch length," said Ryan Rupiper, who volunteers with this project each year.
Brian Lammers, Hamilton County Conservation Director, who had indicated a 30% survival rate in first interviews, conceded that the survival percentage could be much higher, from 50-70%.
"That survival rate is going to vary," he explained, "That survival rate is depending on the habitat, and there is a lot of stuff in the lake to help."
The 30-35% survival rate was stated as an industry norm. The Hamilton County Conservation office has been working to make the fishing at Briggs Woods Lake some of the best fishing in the area.
"With everything we have out there, the fish have a better chance," said Lammers. "Ideally we want 9-10" fish. The bigger the fish, the greater the survival."
But, said Lammers, there are so many variables, all they can do is create an environment that gives the fish, and the fishermen pursuing them, the greatest chance for success.
"It could easily be a 60% survival rate," said Lammers. "We have so much structure out there they should be just fine."
Montour representatives, who were responsible for the fish used for restocking the lake, said it will definitely be more than the standard survival rate.