Stocking Muskies

[Mr. Outdoorsman]

Hi Guys,

Just have a few questions on how I can get a lake stocked with muskie fingerlings? The lake already has a extremely low population of muskies in it so it wouldnt be introducing a whole new species into the lake.

Is there somebody I can write to? I assume the DNR would be the first place to get the ball rolling. I am not trying to make this into a premier musky fishery(Well actually I am) but I figure I can start small and maybe just have them stock fingerlings in every other year. I will even come out of my own pocket to pay for some of it.

I am not trying to change the entire makeup of the lake but I would maybe like to upgrade the lake to a Class C or maybe even a Class B musky fishery.

Thank you for any responses.

[Eggy]

If you're in Wisconsin, it will be a lovely trip through political b.s. The D.N.R. will want to do a study to see if the lake is appropriate, since there are muskies there they will want to see if natural reproduction is happening. If they say, "O.k., you can stock it," you will find out that they aren't about to do it themselves. So you decide to raise money and buy some fingerlings, now the lake association will step in and say they don't want muskies because it will wipe out their panfishing (even though it isn't true), and they will go to the local government and the DNR and get them to stop you. If you really want to stock a lake, you may as well start with the locals and work your way up the gevernment ladder from there, otherwise they will pull the ladder out from under you.

[muskybob]

I'd start by talking to the county fisheries biologist of the county of the lake you are considering stocking. I'm pretty sure you have to have authorization before doing any stocking, even if you buy the fish from a private hatchery. Good luck--babies aren't cheap!!!!!!!!