Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | We took a survey last winter. Here is a breif summary.
2010 Musky Survey Highlights – UWSP/WDNR
RA = Resident Anglers
NRA = Non-Resident Anglers
NOR = North of Wausau (Northern District)
MCM = Musky Club Members
-32% of resident anglers (RA) and 39% of non-resident anglers (NRA) reported fishing specifically for muskellunge in 2010; versus about 98% for musky club members (MCM).
-Most fishing (all species) occurred in NOR; 65% of RA, 70% NRA and 90+% of MCM reporting spending some time fishing in NOR.
-56% of RA, 48% of NRA, and 83% of MCM reported catching a musky in 2010; 40%, 40% and 77%, respectively, caught at least one >32” – 95% were released by residents (99+% by NR and MCA)
-Between 19% (RA) and 32% (NRA) of anglers reported catching a musky while fishing for another species (typically, walleye).
-Largest musky ever caught in WI: 42” by RA; 41” by NRA; 46” by MCM.
-About 25% of RA, 32% or NRA and 65% of MCM reported doing at least some trolling for muskies.
-If legalized, about 80% to 90% of anglers would do at least some trolling.
-About 38% of RA and NRA use both live bait and artificial lures (versus 54% for MCM).
-RA and MCM use live bait about 1-10% of the time; NRA, about 25+% of the time).
-2% of MCM use single-hook rigs; 42% of RA and 36% of NRA use single-hook rigs , who were also indifferent on banning single-hooks. About 70% of MCM favored banning single-hook rigs.
-About 60% of anglers believe that fishing with live bait increases mortality.
-About 6% of residents fished for muskies outside of WI, versus 52% of MCM (Ontario or MN), with 45% of those seeking “big fish”.
-50” is still the most common response for what defines a trophy.
-23% of RA reported they would keep a “trophy”, versus 2% of MCM; 74% of RA prefer to keep at least some of the legal muskies they catch.
-Most anglers believe that more than half the muskies they release will survive.
-Most anglers favor the idea of other anglers releasing legal muskies.
-“Big issues” for RA and NRA include treaty rights, conflicts with boaters, and increased pressure; “big issues” for MCM include treaty rights, liberal size limits, and poor reproduction.
-82% of MCM would be willing to purchase a musky stamp, versus 36-43% of general license holders; 54% to 74% favored mandatory reporting of harvest.
-About 19% or residents attended the Spring Hearings at least once in the last 5 years, versus about 50% or MCM.
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | leech lake strain - 9/13/2011 8:41 PM
what's the single hook thing all about? can only have a single hook on a bait or no treble hooks allowed or what?
It is referring to hooks when using live bait (suckers). Old time methods used a single "J" hook through the lips of a suckers and allow the muskie to swallow the bait before setting the hook. Modern time anglers use what's known as a quick set or quick strike rig, that allows the angler to set the hook shortly after the muskie takes the bait. hooking the fish in the mouth instead of the stomach. |
2010 Musky Survey