|
|
Location: Munster, IN | Any update on what is going on with LCO?
Will the DNR be stocking Bone/Butternut Lake Muskies in there?
Has this project or study crashed and burned or is it still alive?
Dave N. are you out there?
If so, can you bring us up to speed on what has developed, if anything?
Thank you,
Paul L
| |
| | |
Posts: 622
Location: Seymour, WI | I get to fish LCO a couple times each yr so I'm also interested in the progress out there. I read a report this spring which seemed to indicate the musky pop was crashing on LCO. Please keep us informed.
Grass, | |
| | |
| I am interested too?
Saw something on the Pastikas site a few days ago but the post disappeared for some reason?
Dave Neuswanger (spelling?) is being edited by one of the moderators I guess.
Hope he posts an answer here | |
| | |
Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I'll call Dave over the next few days and have him answer. He's probably pretty busy now. | |
| | |
| Thanks for your patience, folks. This question was posed initially on Pastika's site, but I was awaiting a determination on web posting policy from the owners of that site before posting yet another response that would be removed arbitrarily by one of their moderators. (The owners are great people who simply are too busy to monitor those to whom they have granted moderator priveleges.) Ironically, even my interim response -- to inform folks that I was awaiting a policy decision -- got removed. I much prefer to respond here, so I appreciate the question being redirected to this site.
I really don't have a lot to report yet, but here's where we are. The general health of Butternut Lake fish were tested and certified last spring (2005), so we are clear to move them. But I will authorize the move (still hoping for spring 2006) to LCO only if genetic testing reveals there is no significant difference between Butternut and LCO muskies. Our Research biologists in Spooner found a treasure trove of historical and recent tissue samples for LCO muskies which I believe have already been forwarded for analysis to Dr. Brian Sloss at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. And our Butternut Lake biologist, Jeff Scheirer, had no trouble collecting fin tissue samples from 50 muskies in Butternut Lake last spring (2005). We will get those samples to Dr. Sloss' Conservation Genetics Lab this winter and hope to get a determination regarding compatibility soon enough to allow us to plan the transfer operation next spring (2006). We will still need supplemental funding for that operation, but Mr. Worrall has indicated that fund-raising efforts on this site will likely cover it. We appreciate his steadfast support, and the support of those who contribute, for applying good science and adaptive management to the improvement of our musky fisheries.
In summary, we still have some testing to do, and the entire project could be scrapped if muskies in the two lakes differ significantly in genetic character. But if they are similar, we hope to proceed with the capture, marking, and transfer of 500 28- to 38-inch muskies from Butternut Lake to LCO early next spring. It will be a major operation (we don't know if we can even capture half the estimated number of muskies in Butternut Lake), but we stand to learn a great deal while concurrently improving the musky fisheries of both waters. Time will tell...
Dave Neuswanger
Fisheries Team Leader, Upper Chippewa Basin
Wisconsin DNR, Hayward | |
| | |
Location: Munster, IN | Thanks Dave.
I appreciate the information.
I sure hope the fish are genetically compatible so you can move forward with the project in the spring of '06.
Keep up the good work.
| |
| | |
Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Dave,
Just let us know when you are ready and we will help raise the funds to help get this done. We appreciate the information, sir! | |
| | |
Posts: 734
Location: Watertown, MN | Being on LCO the last 5+ years, I can say the fishery is not doing well, Bruce from Angler Haven showed me the reports this summer showing estimated musky population for the lake to in the 700-800 fish for a 5000+acre lake. The lake definetly has some big fish in her, but could definitely take a shot in the arm as far stocking of fish. The lake is full of cisco and perch, plenty of forage to support a healthier pop of fish. In the past few years have seen some increase in the smaller fish, put definitely could use more. Any though of trying the MN strain, Dave just curious if what your thoughts are on introducing this strain into LCO.
Thanks
Troyz | |
| | |
| I think it would be hard to get a true population of fish in that lake.
there are so many that are proabably out in deep water their entire life and you wouldn't see them spawning because a lot of muskie spawn in the 10-12' depth.
just a thought,  | |
| |
|
DNR Fisheries Management Team- LCO update