I guess I can come clean on this now that these fish are swimming in their new home. Back in September I found out that 850 fish were going to Diane and the rest were going to Margrethe. This prompted countless e-mails and phone calls to the biologists directly responsible then to their bosses and then to their bosses. Fortunately a change was made to get the fish moved from Margrethe to Sanford. I'm certain that I irritated some people in the DNR to the point where it will take some effort to repair the damage. I guess it was an education for those that didn't already know that I will NOT take being blown off with a politically correct e-mail like the average person.
I can understand all of the MMA members being passionate about one lake over another. Take the friendly posts debate last year of Hamlin Lake VS Sanford Lake stocking. I could have made a case this year for Hamlin Lake which has received less than half of the fish proposed for their startup. I'm happy for any lake receiving the bonus fish this year including Sanford Lake. Enjoy.
That was a HUGE part of my argument Tom. From what we're seeing, those of us actually on the water, stocking at 1/2 the suggested rate is about where these lakes should be stocked. Some lakes would be fine stocked at 1 fish per acre every other year. The problem is that there isn't the money in place to survey all the lakes and we (Michigan) keep going with requests made by biologists who know little if anything about muskellunge management. Some of which have openly admitted that I know more about muskies than they do. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing them. I should know more because I take the time to communicate with biologists across the muskie range and read their reports, while I walk this path that I've been put on by the members of MMA. I live and breathe this stupid fish and they have countless other species to deal with let alone the invasives and all the disease issues.
This is not the same case or reasoning, but I received similar flack for supporting alternate year stocking of walleye in lakes that were receiving annual stocking. Another case is the recent Lake Michigan salmon stocking reduction to match the forage. More fish stocking is not always better for the 'quality' of the fishery.
A smaller healthy population of muskie with all the forage to themselves with ample room to grow can provide a good fishery. The extra fish can then be stocked elsewhere to spread the fishery around. Are we becoming spoiled? Do we need large numbers of fish in landlocked puddles for egos of the less skilled fishers? Remember that historic phrase the muskie is a fish of thousand casts, but what the heck do I know about that. I never made a single cast this year. Maybe next year somewhere or two years from now when Hamlin Lake comes online.
Will, just a quick thanks to you for doing that work to move the fish from Margrethe to Sanford. I'm not a Midland-ite and Sanford is not in my back yard, but I'm happy to see them go to a lake that we know can grow 'em big. Thanks again!
"Will Schultz" said:
I guess I can come clean on this now that these fish are swimming in their new home. Back in September I found out that 850 fish were going to Diane and the rest were going to Margrethe. This prompted countless e-mails and phone calls to the biologists directly responsible then to their bosses and then to their bosses. Fortunately a change was made to get the fish moved from Margrethe to Sanford. I'm certain that I irritated some people in the DNR to the point where it will take some effort to repair the damage. I guess it was and education for those that didn't already know that I will NOT take being blown off with a politically correct e-mail like the average person.
Will – THANK YOU, job well done.
And just for the record, both lakes are top notch bodies of water with all the right ingredients that should in it for the long haul. But the stocking numbers show this move this year of Sanford over Margrethe was the RIGHT decision, not just oiling the squeaky wheel. [smilie=quickkiss.gif] These numbers only include fall fingerling stockings.
Margrethe (1920 acres) came on board with the non-tiger muskie program in 2002:
2002- 2011
2004- 4893
2005- 5000
Sanford (~1500 acres) with a long history of low return spring fry plants, received its first fall fingerling stocking in 1993:
1993- 1998
1995- 1494
1996- 788
1997- 2000
2000- 2500
2003- 1059
2004- 3800
With 10,000 fish still in that juvenile stage (~3 yrs) Margethe did not need fish now as much as Sanford with just 3800 up-and-comers. The bottom line- both are good fisheries that should be top destinations on every musky fisherman's list now and into the future. Now get out there and enjoy them, and let the DNR know you appreciate the musky opportunities in these and all lakes!
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