Where can a person buy fresh or frozen spawn??

[Bassbug]

I fish for salmon about every other year, and even given this small amount of experience I recognize how much better fresh or frozen fish eggs compare to their "Lil' Josh" counterparts.

It seems to me there are some regulations regarding the sale of eggs, but I think there are no restrictions on bartering or trading for products. I tie trout and salmon flies and I would be happy to trade or barter for fresh or frozen trout or salmon spawn.

I live in the Ypsilanti area, and I plan on fishing in the Thumb area. Please respond or PM me if you can help me. I would be happy to drive 30-or-so-miles to pick up the product.

Paul


P.S.
I would be happy to buy from some local place or something, but I can never find any bait shop that sells spawn.

[fishineddie]

the bait shops around the flatrock dam sell fresh spawn..bass pro shops sell it..meijers has that crap in the jar never really had any luck with it,but this is from a guy that has only caught one steelhead in 2 seasons trying :lol: but i'm gonna murda them s.o.b.'s this fall got a new secret weapon for em'

[rgillett]

If you're up in the Thumb this weekend stop by one of the fish cleaning stations in Pt. Austin or Grindstone...the Laker's are full of spawn right now. Still in skein, pretty mature eggs.

[live2fishdjs]

Here is a link for fresh eggs sold on the web (also cured eggs if interested).

Amerman Eggs (http://www.ifish.net/amer.html)

I am sure you could find other places out west that sell eggs, and I know Pro-Cure sells skeins as well. The eggs you buy at baitshops are not fresh (IMO), and if they are I believe that may not be legal.

In PA baitshops can "take donations for the laocal fishing/habitat club" for fresh eggs, but are not allowed to sell them...it would be nice if MI started doing this.

[solasylum]

You can purchase salmon (not steelhead) eggs in many bait shops in Michigan legally. It still may be a little early in the season for them to have a regular supply. They usually have bags tied up with or w/out floaters in them. I don't believe you can buy them bulk from bait shops.

As I understand it, by the letter of the law it is illegal to barter/trade eggs as well. But, so is speeding so each to their own.

I would say your best bet is to stop by one of the great lake ports with a fish cleaning station and I'm sure you'll get more than you want. Most of it gets tossed in the dumpster.

Good luck,

Scott

[Fishndude]

I think it is illegal for any shops to sell fresh eggs - they are supposed to cure any eggs which will be sold.
If you went to almost any popular spot on a river which has a decent run of fish right now - the fish cleaning station at Tippy dam comes to mind; you can probably get all of the fresh eggs you can use. Skein and loose. Sometimes I offer to clean a fish for someone, if they will give me the eggs. Everybody wins.

[solasylum]

Unless something has changed that I'm unaware....I've purchases tied salmon sac's at various bait shops and gas stations. The eggs are pretied and not loose.

Scott

[live2fishdjs]

Unless something has changed that I'm unaware....I've purchases tied salmon sac's at various bait shops and gas stations. The eggs are pretied and not loose.

Scott


Yes, but the eggs themselves are cured before tying...hence not fresh eggs.

[Fishndude]

That is a good link, but if you read it you will notice that they are in Washington State. The reference to fresh eggs states that they provide eggs which were taken from fish who were caught within hours of the eggs being taken.
The shelf life of uncured eggs is not long - especially when they are still in the skein. Like maybe a day or two at most. And those are fresh skein eggs. To make spawnbags, you want loose eggs. I prefer to tie bags out of river-cured eggs only. I do cure my skein (Salmon) eggs, but only use those for fishing for more Kings. I do not add any chemicals to loose eggs or Steelhead skein eggs.

And yes, the pre-tied spawnbags you buy in bait shops are made from loose salmon eggs which were cured. Smell them and you will see that they do not smell very fishy, like fresh eggs would.
Most shops tie 3 eggs bag, too. I prefer to use much larger bags for Steelhead - like 9 - 12 Salmon eggs. In Winter I use smaller bags, but still made with 7 - 9 eggs @. That is just my choice.

If you want an egg-cure recipe, please do a search on this website. There have been plenty of posts in the past.

[Bassbug]

I really appreciate all the helpful advice. I had not thought of fish cleaning stations. That's great advice.

I too have used those jarred eggs with no success. I fished for two days - no bites, no fish - while those around me using fresh or frozen eggs were catching fish.

Thanks again.