"elk_n_esox_baby" said:
While getting some Crappie minnows last weekend, some redneck fisherman guy said he heard there were muskies in White Lake? CAn anyone confirm?On a really bright note… I drew my Elk tag for Wyoming… can you say back strap baby!
There ara some that come and go but catching one would be only slightly better odds than winning the lottery.
I don't have any documentation, but I guarantee you there is a muskie in White Lake RIGHT NOW!
Just because one hasn't been caught and documented means nothing by me, I just hate it when biologists start spewing the "our scientific data has not shown…" blah blah blah. Kinda reminds me of the front page announcement on the DNR website right now- they are claiming this sensational find of the first confirmed cougar tracks in the state, while the rest of the citizens who actually go out into the real world, away from the scientific journals and computer screens, are sarcastically saying "no crap, thanks for the news flash!"…
I understand what you are saying well, but I have to work within the system as awkward as it is.
It is unfortunate that I don't have the old photo documentation within my own family. My father and uncle both had caught historical muskies in Muskegon Lake back in the 1910's, through the 40s. My family had a house on Bear Lake Channel with old boat rentals etc before factory pollution, shoreline developments, and the freeway altered the healthy environment need for walleye and pike/muskie spawning. Their stories and time taking me fishing is what lead me to fishery biologist career. However, my father did take a b/w Bear Lake Channel photo of me when I was 2-1/2 years old wearing life preserver, ball cap, holding a fishing rod, and my first northern pike. The members of this site understand well what I'm referring to.
One last deviation that some might find interesting – an angler I know very well has boated 3 muskies while salmon fishing in Pere Marquette Lake over the past few years. The first was caught before Hamlin was stocked (so not a spillover), and all were heavily spotted. So they ARE out there! It would be interesting if the population is actually closer to 'fishable' in PM than the other drowned mouths. Speaking from experience, fishing areas that aren't fishable is not very exciting!
"Pete" said:
One last deviation that some might find interesting – an angler I know very well has boated 3 muskies while salmon fishing in Pere Marquette Lake over the past few years. The first was caught before Hamlin was stocked (so not a spillover), and all were heavily spotted. So they ARE out there! It would be interesting if the population is actually closer to 'fishable' in PM than the other drowned mouths. Speaking from experience, fishing areas that aren't fishable is not very exciting!
There are some drowned rivermouth lakes that have better populations than others. The one thing the better ones seem to have in common is that they are closer to Green Bay. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying they only have muskies because of the stocking Wisconsin has done but that hasn't hurt things either. Once you get north of Spring Lake you'll find that all the muskies will be of the spotted variety.
Anything is possible, and life seems to always find a way (albeit lately, the life that's finding a way, unfortunately are those of the wrong and problematic species), but i read once that fertilized fish egs can be transplanted from lake to lake, in the plumage of waterfowl.
That's one of the great things about fishing… you never know what you're going to catch, anywhere or any time.
I once caught a 30"-ish muskie on the Huron River, in Island Lake rec area, while fishing for bass and panfish.
57
11