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Posts: 2024
| Out of curiousity, think of one question to base a study around involving the esox species (be it pike or muskies). What would it be?
I'm curious about the physiological impacts of catch-and-release fishing on muskies, with respect to high water temps.
I'm also interested in prefered substrate for spawning, with fisheries implications that equate to creating "sanctuaries." If you can keep a specific section of a lake off-limits, would this increase the amount of natural and successful reproduction (not only for muskies, but for bass and other species)? |
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| Total C&R of Largemouth Bass is said to not be the most beneficial, as it may lead to stunted growth and skinnier fish. There would be more fish fighting over the same food supply. I had once thought that the same scenario would take place with Muskies, but they are completely different fish, and more large Muskies seem to be caught all the time. So it would seem to be a moot point to do that study comparison.
I recently put a brochure together on what Muskies use for their main food sources. I learned a lot by doing it. I guess the only thing I'm curious about at the moment would be something that could not accurately be determined anyway- delayed mortality. I doubt anyone could come up with an accurate figure as to how many C&R Muskies end up as "Tuesday Floaters". I hope it's a small number. It will be interesting to see the other replies. |
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Posts: 2024
| Brad,
Sub-lethal stress factors leading to delayed mortality would be something I'd look at in a physiological study. A lot has been done with bass, but I'm not aware of any literature on muskies. What factors would you look for that would lead to delayed mortality?
Last week I had the chance to visit the St. Lawrence at Mallorytown. I spoke with a gentleman who was responsible for picking up the dead muskies in the St. Larry (I believe he said he picked up 38 last year). The biggest he said... 64", with many between 54" and 58". I asked him about the virus responsible for killing these fish, and if anything could be done about it. He said the virus would just have to run its course. I'd be interested in a study focusing on this specific virus, its origin, how we could prevent it (if possible), etc. |
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| I guess as far as delayed mortality, it would just be interesting to know approximately how many fish really do expire just from being caught. I read a letter to the editor in Esox Angler magazine a few months ago from a guy stating that he witnessed a kid catch a low 40's fish, which was the biggest fish he'd ever caught. The kid then got berated by some Muskie fishermen for keeping it, and the guy who wrote the letter said that those same guys probably catch 100 fish a year and you know darn well they ALL don't survive. Yet they got on this kid for keeping one. I agree, in that I don't think that just because the fish swam away that it lived. But how many out of that 100 fish did live or die?
I personally was on Detroit Lake and saw a guy catch a 35" fish. He had two other guys in the boat with him, and after a fairly long fight, landed the fish. He then had some trouble getting the hooks out, as it took him a long time. All the while the fish was on the boat floor. After he finally removed the hooks, ALL THREE GUYS had their picture taken with the fish. He then let it go and it swam away, but I really don't think that fish saw the sun come up the next day, do you?
I guess all I'm really curious about is the approximate number of released fish that pass away. I've read that even when released quickly, there is some delayed mortality, but what is the percentage? 2%? 5%? 8%? Have a good day. |
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Posts: 224
Location: Madison | I'd like to see a study on what depth muskies can be no longer "safely" be caught from. I've asked a WDNR fisheries biologist this question, and his answer was more like a guess. Doesn't seem that anyone's done a study like this, and I think it's important because I think a number of guys fish for deep muskies without realizing the damage they may be doing to the fish.
-d |
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| I like reading the results of tracking studies but I want to see hour by hour data.
With this data you could compare it to weather conditions and see exactly what a muskie does when the wind changes, increases, decrease, rains, snows, how much to they move at night? Most studies say, The fish moved 1 mile over 2 days. Thats nice information but not nearly the detail that I think they could recover. I'd love to take one full day, minute by minute and track every movement. Compare this to sunrise, sunset, weather changes, sun, clouds, etc.
That would be awesome. |
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Posts: 1168
| Only one question? geez...I'll indulge myself anyway.
1) Much more can be done to examine the differences between genetic strains and their potential. My personal soapbox is that by only thinking one particular strain is so much better than the others that exist and only stocking that supposedly better strain it would be the final death blow to waters where there are genetic problems. Some water right here in Wisconsin, state of the bad stocking practices, there are places that have exclusively only been stocked with that inferior WI strain muskie but yet they are showing signs of reproduction AND kicking out 50+ fish that are very healthy. Those fish are doing just fine in there, no need for GLS fish, Leech Fish, etc. etc. More studies on genetic potential would be great.
2) I'd also like to see more done in terms of what initiates a muskie to strike, specifically in the area of vibration and rattle frequency. Does bait that "clunks" more like a burt initiate more strikes in colder water versus warmer water. What about things like Jakes that have a more "tinny" rattle to them? Could a rattle frequency curve be placed on a temp chart to match up and see at what water temps are muskies more likely to be turned on by different sounds.
3) The last one is related to both #1 and #2. Are certain strains of muskie tuned into different prey and the frequency they throw off? For example, will a WI strain fish, if dropped into a southern shad based resevoir feed like the southern fish do on shad? ...or are the WI fish not "in tune" with shad frequencies or genetically programmed to respond to that type of sound when they would be more genetically programmed to feed on perch, bluegills, and other kinds of panfish. The WI fish is just an example tossed out there because we do not have the same forage base as Cave Run, Green River, etc. do. Or would we just find that food is food is food is food no matter where we go.
Responding to the first study idea...I think that's a good one but I'll expand on it a little further regarding water temps. Last year on some lakes in my home area we had a real quick warming period where water temps screamed up the thermometer...then were hit with some sharp cold fronts, cold rains, etc. and the water temps dropped about 10-12 degrees in a matter of 24-36 hours. Shortly after this happened I was out in the boat with a fisheries biologist and he talked about how that would cause a unique early summer "turnover" where the water mixed and the upper level was devoid of high concentrations of dissolved oxygen. Any fish we spotted were below 8 feet and when fish were brought up into that upper level containing little oxygen they were really struggling. He went on to say that conditions like that are more detrimental than extreme warm water temps because even in warm water temps there was more oxygen than when it rapidly cooled down. Eventhough the temp sensor read 66 degrees it was not a good place for the fish to be. So maybe not more research on this topic, but more written about it because it could help save fish if we are more aware of what to look for if this happens.
-Bob |
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| That is a good point, about what depths Muskies can safely be caught from. I talked to a very well known writer for a national Muskie magazine, and he said he would never use a Wishmaster lure because of that very reason. You sure can catch Muskies on those lures from far down, but they don't all go back down. The air bladder issue may be interesting to look into. |
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| What forage do muskies eat on average?
How often do muskies move on average and how far do they move on average?
What percentage of fingerlings survive and how long to they live on average?
What are the average seasonal transitions of muskies?
How often do muskies feed on average?
What times of day do muskies feed on average?
How long do muskies feed on average?
When do muskies travel in packs and feed together?
Can muskies become conditioned to avoid lures after being caught one or more times?
How far away can muskies sense and see lures based on different water clarity?
What triggers muskies to strike versus follow?
What conditions encourage muskies to chase baits further away versus closer and how far will they travel on average?
How often does color really matter?
How deep can muskies safely be caught and released?
What temperature can muskies safely be caught and released?
What is the ideal density of muskies per acre on average?
All of this needs to be controlled by type of water and musky strain |
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Posts: 929
Location: Rhinelander. | Like to see some info on what the bigger size limits have meant to the lakes in wisconsin that they are on. Not just if more big fish but about the system and its impact on it. I have not seen anything on this yet and its been in place on some lakes long enought to to do a study on. I would like to see the figures on the lake from befor the increase in the size limit and after.
Pfeiff |
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Posts: 32944
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I'd like to see more funding so study can be accomplished. |
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Posts: 2024
| The funds are there (in more cases than not), the key is to be able to pursuade someone to support - financially - your work... schmooz if you will. A good biologist is a good writer, good writers = grant $$$.
Unfortunately, muskie fishing will always take a back seat to bass and trout in terms of how far the money tree goes. While I love muskies more than any fish swimming in North America, the money is with bass. Needless to say, individual muskie clubs across the U.S. deserve a round-of-applause for setting funds aside to assist with research projects! It is a big help, and until you see just how expenisve some of this highly specialized equipment is we tend to take it for granted. |
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