More muskies in MN

[muskieman87]

I was out on a metro muskie lake the other day and couldn't believe how many people I saw fishing for muskies. It seems like in the last 2 to 3 years the number of people fishing muskies has gone through the roof. Lakes like Leech, Mil Lacs, and Tonka are seeing more pressure now than they ever have. I think the MN DNR should think about stocking more quality bodies of water with muskies. I know not every lake is a great place for muskies to thrive, but the stocking in minnesota has been so successful the last 10 to 15 years, that with the growing number of muskie fishermen, maybe the state should consider this. What are your thoughts?

Drew

[Just a Guess]

Maybe that was the day of the Metro Musky Tourney held last weekend?

[ToddM]

Mn needs about 1000 lakes. No reason not to have that many. I would dare say most of the lakes up there would be good musky water by comparison to other states. Why not stock some of those southermn dishpans with areators and abundant bullhead for forage and have an earlier opener in the southern part of the state? That is just some of the many opportunities.

[muskieman87]

Exactly
We've got about 50 fishable muskie waters in the state.... out of how many lakes... some 15 or 16,000. Regardless, let's say round down to the infamous 10,000 lakes.... That means we've got muskies in .5% of the lakes in MN. How great would it be if we had twice or three times the number of lakes with muskies swimming in it than we do right now. I just think we need to support the growing number of muskie fisherman.

[Muss Key Mast Are]

Tonka is a great Muskie fishery. I see more Musky fisherman everytime I am on that water. It is for good reason - that lake is absolutely full of Muskies.

[Bushwacker]

You have my support for adding more muskie lakes. I live in Sauk Centre and the closet muskie lake is on the other side of Alexandria to the west, and about two hours away to the east. In this same area there are at least 500 lakes lakes and no muskies. How can this be changed?

[Dustythemuskyhussie]

I was listening to a Muskie expert (wish I could remember his name) on KFAN Outdoors a couple weeks ago. They were talking about the introduction of Muskies into new waters. He said they have had little or no success introducing Muskies into waters smaller than 1000 acres. Although there were exceptions, he said in general a size of 1000 acres was considered the minimum to maintain a viable muskie population in a lake.

So, that probably explains why many good lakes do not have muskies in them.