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Posts: 136
| I would like to hear opinions on stocking muskies on Prior Lake, of MN. I think it would have potential to be a premier musky fishery in the South Metro and I know there are many that agree. It would take gaining favor by the city and the lake association and it would take money. I would be in favor of making it happen. What do you think? | |
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| push the point that a south metro 'purestrain' lake is needed,,,south metro muskie lakes are all tigers | |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | I couldn't agree more. I was out on the lake for the first time a couple weeks ago and couldn't believe how good the structure was. Several big rock saddles, very deep water, etc. I would imagine one of the biggest points the opposition would make is the lack of available parking at the two ramps. From what I hear you have to be there before sunup to get a spot and later in the day it can be a total zoo to get your boat out. | |
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| Total Zoo Out there during the summer!!!! | |
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Posts: 136
| I think the biggest opposition would be the bass leagues that have tournaments there every weekend. It is a nightmare on the weekends, but so it Tonka. | |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | I'd love to see it too. Here's the hurdles we have to jump over before it can happen.
#1. The DNR's fish production can't keep-up with our current lakes. The fish have to come from somewhere and until the DNR gets additional funding to increase the muskie program we're not going to see a dramatic increase in muskie production. Our chapter is working with the DNR in a co-op program, but it's not going to be anywhere close to the amount of fish we need to stock a body of water. If you want to buy the fish, plan on $15,000-$20,000/stocking for the first 5+ years to get a lake that size going IF you can get a reliable source of fish.
In addition to that, the DNR isn't real keen on letting private clubs be responsible for the lakes only source of stocking. White Bear is an example of this. The TC Chapter started it years ago and didn't really keep up with it over some stretches of time (from my research). If it wasn't for Paul Hartman and the occasional DNR stocking (in good years) it wouldn't have been stocked at all during that time. Several of our members ask why should be stock the lake "way up there" when our chapter is located down here? Answer: We started the lake "way back then" and it's up to us to keep it going. If we fail to do so it puts us in a bad possition to ask for more.
#2. We already have a bunch of metro lakes. When approaching the DNR, there has to be justification to add an additional lake/expense.
#3. Get the "locals" (ie. lake shore association, sports clubs, spearers, etc) to get on board, or at least not oppose it. It can be done w/o their support but it's much, much tougher.
#4 Get someone(s) who's passionate enough to put in their time to get that lake stocked. Our chapter got many of the lakes in the metro stocked and now we spend much of our time fishing them. There hasn't been much of a call to get other surounding lakes in the metro stocked. There's some need in the southern part of the state and we've been fairly active in that area, but it's tough to get something going when it's a couple hours away and you have no personal agenda for it. That's where the newly developing chapter in the south will come in, but that's a different thread all together.
Right now George and I are working to create the base with the DNR that will eventually get use additional resources which will eventually get us the ability to increase production. I've discussed a lot of what were doing on the musky hunter board under "lobbying for changes".
Shawn Kellett
President
TC Chapter MI | |
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Prior Lake Muskies...Why Not?