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The MN DNR has been working feverishly to find out some hard facts on Muskie diet, stocking effects and the overall impact on lakes before and after the introduction of this Top of the line predator, here is some of their observations and research, I hope you will take a moment to read and open your mind to these new and ground breaking findings, and the good news is they are going to be spending more time and effort to gain more knowledge and get the FACTS out to all concerned interests

MN DNR Biologist Jerry Younk notes that Trophy Pike outnumber Trophy Muskie in the same lakes 3 to 1, this fact alone shows us the direct correlation between big fish and the coexistence of these top of the line predators, unfortunately many treat Pike as a “Garbage fish” and show them little respect or value, many have never seen a true trophy Pike of 40+ inches due to the fact most suc*****b to harvest before their true potential is realized also helping to create the issue of “Hammer Handle Lakes”, when all the big pike are gone and the small fish take over it may take as much as 10+ years to find out if special regulations are working due to the slow growth of Pike.

Muskie’s grow as large in Southern MN (French Lake) as they do in any other region or Lake in the State; this is due to ample food supplies of Rough fish, we have a virtual Valhalla of Muskie potential that is yet to be fully realized, many of our lakes in Southern MN have suffered with low water clarity issues and in some lakes massive overpopulation's of Carp and Rough fish, French Lake was one of those lakes, consideration of southern MN is long overdue for Muskie stocking, especially considering many fish are raised to fingerling's in and around the Waterville hatchery and the results of the last 2 French Lake surveys.

Muskie’s diets were found to contain very few species of fish that may be of concern to Anglers, Bozek 1999 investigated 34 Northern Wisconsin lakes through the spring summer and fall, White Sucker and Yellow Perch where found to be the primary prey, additionally research done of stomach contents by MN DNR Biologists over many years on Taxidermy fish 40 inches or larger showed crayfish are a bigger part of the diet than Walleye, the Bozek study shows Muskie’s actually eat more small Muskie’s than Walleye in both volume and relative importance, revealing that invertebrates and non-fish species hold twice as much relative importance than Walleye despite being abundant on many of the lakes studied.

Muskie’s once thought to have extreme negative effects on Pike and Walleyes, were studied by Fayram in 2005, evaluating evidence of predation and competition between several species of fish including Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Muskie, the findings came to a shock to some but were confirmed beliefs of many that fish lakes like Mille Lacs and Vermillion, in the study lakes the only fish that had a negative effect were Largemouth Bass, They found that “Largemouth Bass negatively effected the abundance of adult Walleye” during electrofishing studies, the Muskie electrofishing effort showed that “Muskie’s have a positive effect on the numbers of adult Walleye”, because Muskellunge abundances were positively correlated to Walleye abundances, direct competition or predation is unlikely to be occurring between these two species. As a result, “Muskellunge were not considered further”. Neither Northern Pike nor Smallmouth Bass catch values were significantly correlated to Walleye abundances, so Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike were not considered further.

” Muskie’s are now being actively stocked in 41 MN lakes by the MN DNR there findings were focused on 7 species and lake classes these are the results of the preliminary draft given to us at the last Esocide workshop in June.

Northern Pike numbers declined in 3 individual lakes and increased on 2 with the weight of fish being no different across the state, the distribution of fish per netting or trap was similar to years before the Muskie was introduced.

Walleye Numbers Increased on 9 individual lakes and declined on 2, with a lack of year class stocking being sited in 1 of these lakes, the average weight was not any different statewide.

Yellow Perch numbers increased on 3 lakes, with no significant decreases and no difference statewide, with distributions of fish similar to before stocking.

Bluegill numbers increased on 2 lakes and showed no significant decline or statewide trends. White Sucker numbers declined on 4 lakes and increased on 1, with no significant statewide or lake class trends.

Black Crappie numbers increased on 2 lakes in gill nets and showed no difference in trap nets, post stocking numbers were within or above in comparison with lake classes.

Tullibee showed no differences at any level before or after stocking. T

herefore the lack of any constant trends across any of these species lakes or lake classes combined with the fact that most of these lakes were considered above the average for their lake class and within the range expected suggests that Muskie coexist and have coexisted very well in these types of lakes and at the densities that the MN DNR Manages its Muskellunge program.

Although Muskie’s need to be managed in stocked lakes, they should be looked at more as a supplement or enhancement to not only anglers but to the entire ecological underwater environment.

We here in MN enjoy some of the best fishing on the planet and it’s all due to the hard work and dedication of a few individuals, Muskies Inc, MMA(Minnesota Muskie Alliance), a few dedicated publications and the MN DNR, when we can work together to manage the resource for the sake of the resource we hit a home run every time, as is evident in the Walleye and Sturgeon program on Rainy River, also the extensive regulatory needs that have been imposed on the “Walleye Factory” Mille Lacs, for Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Muskie including other regulations to lower mortality of all apex predators, it’s still hard for some to understand especially if these regulations temporarily or permanently effect their recreation, our hope is that we can all understand that regulations are imposed for the betterment and welfare of the ecosystem and not being used as a punishment for individuals or groups, we require these restrictions and regulations in order for all of us to continue to have great fishing and outdoor opportunities.

Muskie’s Inc, concerned citizens and the MMA have been talking to Politicians at Local, State and Federal levels, also communicating to the general public the need to release BIG FISH of all species, they are the future of our lakes, rivers and streams; we do this to make the overall fishing experience better for all anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Trophy fishing opportunities should be available for all species, because we love the outdoors and feel we need to protect the future for the next generation and all the outdoor pastimes that are represented in the state, this we not come easy but it is attainable with communication hard work and understanding.

Thank You John Underhill Conservation Director MMA Representative Muskies Inc Southern Crossroads Chapter 54

References Bozek,M.A. T.M. Burri, and R.V. Frie. 1999. Diets of Muskellunge in Northern Wisconsin lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 19:258-270 Fayram A.H., M.J. Hansen, and T.J. Ehlinger. 2005. Interactions between Walleyes and Four Fish Species with Implications to Walleye Stocking. North American Journal of Fisheries Management25:1321-1330 MN DNR Preliminary Stocking Data 66-0038-00. 2007. Fish Community Response to Muskie Introduction in Minnesota Lakes, MN DNR M.Knapp., S.Mero, and D. Bohlander. 2007. Esocide workshops, MN DNR, 2006-2007 Pokegama stocking Proposal, MN DNR, 2007