I believe they are all through the river system prolly to the big lake. I hear of big ones getting caught every once in a blue moon. I believe the numbers arnt much better than a needle in a hay stack however. Sounds like fun if your in it for the ultimate hunt, if you just want a shot at a good ski Id stick to the lake(Thornapple). [smilie=2c.gif]

I kayaked up the Thorn from the lake yesterday evening, trying for cooler water plus wanted to check out a new reel (Saltist). Went maybe a mile up but the deadfall portages and bugs were adding up, water way cooler than the lake, maybe mid-70s but no temp gauge to be sure. There was nice shade and enough depth in spots for muskies and better pike (at least better pike, since many times I've found them in "deep" water on small rivers of maybe 3-4' on outside bends). In any case, I had high hopes but saw no sign of any Esocids, yet I'd imagine some are in there. I had floated all the way from Nashville a long time ago in a jon-boat but spent more time out of it dragging over logs than I did fishing, and that time I caught a few small pike and smallies.

The Saltist is impressive, thanks also to Jim T. for sharing info on it here. Built like a tank, with 3 feet of retrieve per crank but the gearing and handle made it easier than other big reels I've tried that take in much less line. I got used to the manual engage lever easily enough, it locks down like Ft. Knox when you engage it. If this lasts it'll definitely be my go-to big bait reel, I even casted the east end of the lake before I left and a big bucktail's resistence with that cranking power pulled me around the perimeter of the weedline with no paddling and of course no electric motor. I'll be trying that stealthy approach again after the waters cool down.