Adult Paddlefish transported from Grand Lake O' the Cherokees in Oklahoma to the Tishomingo NFH for spawning on March 17, 2009. Photo courtesy of Tishomingo NFH.

Paddlefish eggs in hatching jars at Tishomingo NFH's updated fish culture building. March 2009. Photo courtesy of Tishomingo NFH, USFWS.

The first paddlefish brood stock collection took place on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, resulting in bringing nine females and 10 males back to Tishomingo NFH for spawning purposes.  The second paddlefish brood stock collection trip was to Fort Gibson Lake on the Arkansas River, where 12 females and 10 males were captured and transported to the hatchery for spawning.  Another trip to insure spawning success was made to Fort Gibson Lake, returning six females and six males to the hatchery.  Water temperatures and weather conditions cooperated and to date, approximately 100,000 paddlefish fry have hatched, with additional hatching daily. The enhanced egg incubation area with new water filtration system is being credited for the successful hatchings.  When these paddlefish grow to fourteen inches or more, they will be returned to the lake waters in an attempt to restore this fish to its native waters.