![DNR Cancels 2020 Fish Egg-Taking Over Virus Fear](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/09/DNR.jpg?w=980&q=75)
DNR Cancels 2020 Fish Egg-Taking Over Virus Fear
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has canceled this year's egg-taking for walleye, northern pike, muskies and steelhead because of concerns over spreading the coronavirus.
The agency says the work cannot be done safely under social distancing guidelines. According to the DNR, collecting eggs and sperm from spawning fish in the wild is labor intensive and requires teams of six to eight people working in close proximity.
The DNR looked at whether egg-taking could be re-engineered, but determined it was not possible to safely handle fish during the egg take and protect staff from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The DNR collects fish eggs each spring to stock Minnesota waters that have low or no natural reproduction of those species. The agency says missing one year won't hurt the fish population.
![AM 1240 WJON logo](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/11/attachment-wjonam-alexacard-big.jpg?w=100)
Central Minnesota Joins Nation to Light It Blue to Support Essential Workers
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Cities To Vote On Donating Rocori Trail](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/10/attachment-RocoriTrail.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Starry Stonewort Discovered in a Wright County Lake](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/08/Starry-Stonewort.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Keep an Eye Out for Snowy Owls in Central Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2022/11/attachment-zdenek-machacek-wKbuplZNaMY-unsplash2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN Fish and Wildlife: Watch for Bears While Driving at Night](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2021/07/attachment-pete-nuij-lWHvAw1Inbs-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Freshwater Jellyfish Caught on Camera in a Minnesota Lake](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2022/07/attachment-averi-dickinson-nr9qphh8_wY-unsplash-e1658755803607.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![DNR Seeking Help Monitoring Loons on Minnesota Lakes This Summer](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2021/11/attachment-j-photos-wNrRNR-9xd0-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN Couple’s Rude Neighbors Blow Lake Muck Into their Property](http://townsquare.media/site/68/files/2021/08/attachment-Algae-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota DNR Hosting First Day Hikes at Six State Parks](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2019/01/Snowshoeing.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![DNR Offering Free Admission to Minnesota State Parks Friday](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2019/11/GeoPDF-Itasca-State-Park.jpg?w=980&q=75)