|
|
Posts: 507
| http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/muskievideo.asp
The Green Bay Great Lakes Strain Muskellunge Reintroduction Program
Kevin L. Kapuscinski
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources started a three phase program in 1989 to reintroduce Great Lakes strain muskellunge to Green Bay, Lake Michigan, and its tributaries. Phase one of the program, to locate an egg source, obtain gametes, and successfully hatch, rear, and release muskellunge, has been completed. The Indian River Spreads, Michigan, was recognized as a potential source of gametes, and eyed-eggs were imported to the Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery during 1989-1993. More than 13,000 muskellunge fingerlings and yearlings were released into the lower Fox and Menominee rivers and Green Bay during 1989-1994. Phase two of the program, to develop a captive broodstock in Wisconsin that allows continued propagation, has also been completed. A captive broodstock was established at Long Lake, Waushara county, and gametes were taken from this broodstock population during 1995-2004. More than 73,000 fingerlings and yearlings were released into Fox, Peshtigo, and Menominee rivers, Sturgeon, Little Sturgeon, and Green bays, and the Winnebago system during 1995-2003. Phase three of the program, to establish a self-sustaining population in Green Bay, is still underway. More than 50 adult muskellunge in spawning condition were netted in the Fox River during 2004, and viable gametes were collected for propagation. Congregations of mature fish with viable reproductive products during the spring suggests that hatchery-reared muskellunge are spawning in the wild. However, we have not documented successful natural reproduction. Future program directions include: obtaining gametes from additional broodstock sources, continuing to release hatchery-reared muskellunge to increase population density, evaluating release locations and selecting locations that have the greatest potential to support natural reproduction, attempting to document spawning, evaluating spawning success and attempting to document recruitment of wild-born muskellunge to the adult population, and monitoring recruitment until self-sustainable levels are achieved.
| |
| | |
Posts: 32884
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | This was a very interesting presentation about the redevelopment of the Muskie fishery in Green Bay that is getting so much attention now because of the large fish caught over the last few years. | |
| | |
| Thanks, very informative as allows  | |
| |
|
Green Bay Symposium Video is Up