New Muskie lakes

[MuskieJ]

There are plenty of Waters That do not have muskies in them. Are there any lakes out there that you think should be stocked with muskies, and why. And if so what can we as muskie people do about it.

Thank you for your time.


Jim

[Holejumper]

In Mn some new lakes were added aroung 12 years ago, and before that a few more. There is a lot of opposition to forming new ones by a few vocal groups, namely No More Muskies, which will make it hard to get any more soon.

It's to bad that that group has stirred up so much trouble. Muskie fishing is by far the fastese growing segment of fishing in MN, but the negative press is outweighing that fact right now.

JS

[tomyv]

I can think of a local lake here in PA that I think should be stocked with muskies. The problem in PA I think is that the FIsh and boat commission has a management style that only uses musky to control other fish populations. I've often wandered what could be done to have this done, but don't even know how to start. Have to ask a commissioner next time there checking me for licenses and stuff.

[jlong]

There is a small naturally occurring population in these waters, but with a little more help and management they could become World Class fisheries. AND they are right in my back yard!!

For the believers in genetics, strains, etc. These waters harbor the percieved superior SPOTTED MUSKIE and have a forage base beyond belief.

Plus, Green Bay and the Winnebago System are the two LARGEST bodies of water in the state of Wisconsin. If big water = big fish... we are fools for not managing them as trophy musky waters.

jlong

[MNBS]

A couple of more muskie lakes in southern Minnesota (south of the Metro) would be nice. I think that there are some nice possibilities in Rice and/or LeSuer counties. For example, Tetonka, Francis, and a few smaller lakes in the Faribault area. We have one 800 acre lake down here and it gets hit pretty hard.

I know that in Minnesota it will be tough until something is done with the No More Muskie group.

Bob

[MuskieJ]

I live in Southeast Wisconsin and there just isn't a lot of muskie waters. Any one else from SEWI know of any lakes here that should have muskies in them. Big Cedar could grow monster fish.

Later

Jim

[Mother]

Can anyone image the possiblities of a stocked
Upper and Lower Red lake ?? As much water as Leech , Mille Lacs and
Winnie combined.
The trophy and quality fish could be staggering !!

Where else in the world would you want to go !
Mille Lacs - Leech - Cass - Winnie - Vermillion - RED LAKE !!
'The trophy triangle'

Open fishing to all !


Mother

[mcurto]

I definitely agree with Jason that Green Bay and Winnebago should be targeted as world class trophy waters for Wisconsin. These lakes will obviously not be hurt by new muskie populations. I would also add Big Green Lake to that list. Big Green has a tremendous forage base and decent enough size to produce huge fish. Finally, these waters should have at least 50" size limits, no questions asked. I have only been muskie fishing for a few years (am only 17 years old) and look forward to catching many trophies. I would rather catch a nice fish in Wisconsin than have to travel to Minnesota, and I am sure many other people feel that way. The proof is there that Green Bay can produce huge fish, but that fishery still needs the proper management. The future of muskie fishing in Wisconsin can only get better with the addition of these waters. I definitely look forward to trying to "crack the nut", so to speak, on some of these waters and catching a truly huge fish, which will be IMMEDIATELY RELEASED FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO EXPERIENCE!

[AWH]

There are a handful of lakes in the Brainerd, MN area that would be great muskie lakes. I think if Gull and Whitefish were stocked and managed with muskies, they would quickly become two of the best muskie waters in the state. Big bodies of water, plenty of deep water, and exceptional forage.

[MuskieJ]

Big Green is being stocked with muskies already. It will Just take a couple of years.

Jim

[drew]

Hola,
There are definitely some lakes that should be stocked. Can anyone think of a reason as too why the lakes shouldn't be stocked?
drew

[ToddM]

We are way shy of musky lakes in northern il. and se wisconsin. I have posted up in the past on this subject and here are my lakes.

Illinois: East and west loon(continued),sand, deep, round, guages, zurich, diamond, defiance,maple, busse, wolf, fox river, mazonia, spring, argyle, canton, bloomington, clinton.

So. il.: springield(is it), sanchris, decatur, mattoon, paris, jacksonville, gillespie, glen shoal, lou yeager, coffeen, greenville, vandalia, sara, sam parr, east fork, centralia, murphysboro, cedar, little grassy, egypt.

Some of these lakes would be ok and some would be first class.

[mcurto]

Muskie J,

I e-mailed the Green Lake County DNR fisheries biologist about a month ago on the status of the Big Green Lake muskie fishery. He said last spring they captured a 50" tiger in one of their fyke nets, one of the most beautiful fish he has ever seen. He also said they will continue to recommend that the stocking numbers remain at 1,000-2,000 muskie per year as to not hurt other gamefish populations. As for a higher size limit, currently 40", he said they have not had a big enough return on their stocking efforts to consider raising it. Either way, I am sure there are already some PIGS in there but in very, very small numbers. The future for Big Green as a trophy muskie fishery looks very bright, but the question is how many people will actually target muskies on this challenging water.

[ToddM]

Ok here are some for se wi: Beulah, elizabeth, lily, paddock, hooker, bohners, waubeesee, thichigan, potters, lulu, eagle spring, pleasant, whitwater, denoon, upper/lower phantom, nagawicka, beaver, keesus, ashipun, oconomowoc, fowler, upper/middle genesee, silver(by oconomowoc), pretty, blue spring, kegonsa, ripley, rock, druid, green(washington co.), wallace, little cedar, mason, mirror, long(kettle morrain north), kettle morrain, lake five, ivanhoe, pell, benedict/tombeau, george, voltz, forest, lake twelve, bark, spring(by mukwanago), pickerel, booth, army, potters, north, moose.

There are more I could list. Some have musky but are not stocked. Many would not harbor huge fish but would provide a decent fishable population. Some of these lakes are mediocre at best and would benefit having musky in them making them desirable to fish.

[MuskieJ]

What can we do about this. Lets get somthing together wether it be through muskie inc. or somthing along that line. I think we should give it a whirl.


Later

Jim

[BJ]

One thing that our club discovered about stocking muskies is that to be proficient, do not stock anything shorter that 12/14 inch fish. The 4/6 inch fry were in a sense stocking forage for the adult population already in the lake. Just something to keep in mind.

BJ

[Jon Jantzen]

Growing up in Southeastern Wisconsin, I've always thought that Lake Geneva could definitely sustain a trophy musky fishery. It definitely has all of the characteristics needed, size, depth, forage base, etc. Does any know if it has ever been stocked with true muskies or hybrids ? And if not, does anyone know why it hasn't ?

[nxtwrldrcd]

Hey JJ I know you! Guess who?
Y.I.T.B.O.S.
Fall 87

[Jon Jantzen]

Hi Mike R., if thats you. Otherwise, whomever you are get a hold of me. Work (715) 356-5919 Home (715)542-4131.

[Ande]

In terms of adding new muskie lakes in minnesota and other areas. How about enhancing lakes that already have a low unfishable population. In Minnesota how about Steamboat, Ball Club, Belle taine to mention a few. In Minnesota there is way too few muskie lakes. JA

[ToddM]

If what I heard was true, there was an effort that was defeated to stock lake geneva with musky. Too much opposition. There are alot of lackluster se wi. lakes that would make good musky water as I listed above. Some would grow big fish and others probably medium sized. Either way the area needs more lakes.

Don't know much about these northern il. lakes but what about griswold, third, druce, fourth, miltmore, highlandsullivan, slocum, wooster, duck and slocum? There are some other lakes in the area that do have musky but I am sworn to secracy.

In the resivior section of the state there are tons of "carlton's" and "sules" that would make good water like argyle and kickapoo just to name a few.

[MNSteveH]

I've always loved Big Marine Lake - - it would be anwesome musky lake. It's very similar to White Bear - clear, good weedlines, a great bass and walleye lake and very prolific northerns - and we know how well the skis ended up doing in WB. The DNR guys at the Musky Expo agreed, but sounds like there were unwilling to attempt it. It's so close to Forest that hopefull it's only a matter of time before they work thier way into Big Marine on their own - just like the Bald Eagle skis worked thier way in White Bear.

[Lockjaw]

There are 3 lakes in NW WI that I think could potentially turn into trophy lakes if they were stocked and MANAGED PROPERLY. The first one is Lake Owen in Bayfield Co. Its 1300 acres and 95' deep. It has Pike, Walleye, Bass, Panfish, Perch, and Suckers already and has a fair amount of structure, rock bars, sand bars, weedy bays, etc.. The 2nd lake is Whitefish Lake in Douglas Co. 830 acres and 102' deep. It has Pike, Walleye, Bass, Trout, Panfish, Perch, Bullheads and Suckers. Again a fair amount of structure here as well with some sand and weeds, rock and gravel. Last is Long Lake in Washburn Co. This lake is especially interesting at 3300 acres and 74' deep. It has Pike, Walleye, Bass, Panfish, Perch, Bullheads and Suckers. As a bonus, it also has decent populations of Cisco and Whitefish. There is tons of structure from one end to the other. Bars with rock, gravel, sand and muck type bottoms and weedy areas. All 3 lakes are decent size with very deep water, plently of structure, other gamefish, and a variety of non gamefish species. Just think if these lakes had some Muskies in them and were manged properly. It would be great.

Lockjaw

[WoodsideJckc103]

Lake Winnebago has a population of Muskies in it, however the vastness of this the second largest inland fresh water lake in the continetal United States, is under fished. This lake is also under managed when it comes to Muskie. The focus of the DNR's attention are the Walleye and Sturgeon populations. If there were a species that would prosper, improve the local economy, more than the before mentioned species; it would have to be the Muskie.

I remember as a high school kid, hearing about the DNR netting a potential world record Muskie, while netting Sheepshead one day on Winnebago. They held it in a holding pond for several days before releasing it. The fish caused quite a stir, and for several days numerous anglers cast a look at this remarkable fish. I didn't get to see this fish, I arrived several hours too late. The fish was released the morning of the day I had intended to see it. The year was 1963 or 1964.

Recent stocking efforts have been underway in the Fox River (below the DePere Dam) for several years, but only as a study. Being that I live in a community along the West shore of Lake Winnebago, I would like nothing more than to see the DNR execute an aggressive stocking program to establish a first class Muskie fishery in Lake Winnebago.

There it is, my two cents worth.









































Now you have my two cents worth.

[mcurto]

Lockjaw,

I also agree that Lake Owen should be stocked with muskies. Maybe talk to the DNR or Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies Inc. I could definitely see Lake Owen as a trophy lake in the future. Lots of structure, cisco, and clear water would make this a tough fishery, but also would produce big fish. It is a very fun lake to fish and is surrounded by beautiful national forest. Adding muskies to this already great smallmouth fishery would add one more great muskie lake to the Hayward area.

[B420]

STEVE,
Had the EXACT same idea! It would be cool as all ##### to have musky in there, and it is an easy lake to fish! Always did great on pike/bass when I used to fish for "bait" out there!
B420

[Doug]

I agree that Lake Geneva would be a great musky lake. Of course, I am biased because I live about 20 minutes away. I'm sure it could sustain a 40 pounder.

I've heard that Lake Delavan has musky, but I've never fished for them. Anyone ever fish muksy there?

[ToddM]

Delavan does have some musky in it but not many. I never hear of anybody catching one either. I don't even know if they stock them anymore. It would make a good lake though but there are so many non-musky anglers that would protest I am sure.

[Jomusky]

After reading this post, one lake I know of which needs premium musky management is Shawano Lake. The local club, Figure Eight Musky Club, does stock it. However, I stongly believe the lake has potential to be a premier musky fishery. Shawano Lake is very fertile and has great weedbeds, weed lines, reed beds, and a tremendous forage base. It also has plenty of shallow weed areas which are great for spawning. Take a look at the topo for this lake and you will be amazed at this 6,063 acre lake! The stocking info listed in the Sportsman's Connection map book states: 649 fingerlings in 93', 225 fingerlings and 150 yearlings in 97'. Quite minuscule in comparison to the DNR policy of 1 fingerling per acre for some "up north" musky lakes.

In my opinion the DNR needs yet another musky hatchery to get Shawano, Winnebago and Green Bay on the map of musky waters! I live in the highly populated Appleton area and have to travel great distances to musky fish in the state who boasts the musky as it's state fish! Funny how there is a musky hatchery down by Madison, and good fishing close by.

[jlong]

Geez, how could I have overlooked Shawano Lake?? Jo is right about that baby. It has everything to offer (size, fertility, structure, weeds, massive forage base, etc.) but what I like about it more than the Winnebago System is the water QUALITY. The lake is much "cleaner" and does not turn to pea soup or get real turbid like the Wolf River and Winnebago system. A real bonus for the aesthetics of musky trip.

All the big WI metro areas have at least one CLASS A musky fishery withing a reasonable distance (Madison, Milwaukee, Eau Clair, etc.).... but Green Bay and the Fox Valley areas are really lacking a good resouce within an hour drive.

Am I gonna have to move... or is the DNR going to help fix this predicament?????

jlong