I really don't want to share this because it hurts to type the words. 2017 May go down as the year fish disease put a big dent in muskie restoration efforts here in Michigan. Currently there is a confirmed VHSv outbreak in the St Clair system that will most likely bring the egg take to a halt. If that wasn't enough… the muskies being overwintered in Wisconsin contracted a disease that has never been in Michigan and we will not be taking any of those fish planned for our broodstock lakes.
"Steve S" said:
Not good. To a halt? A year or two or is the end? [smilie=cry.gif]
Took a few years to clear last time.
The final decision isn't going to be made until Monday. I went to lunch with the hatchery biologist today and I asked him if he wanted to take a chance with the sterilisation they use on the fish and eggs and he said NO. It isn't his decision though and because the muskie building is separate it's possible they choose to proceed but I dont think that's very likely.
"Steve S" said:
I know this happened a few years ago, does it happen to all species? Is this natures way of thining out the herd or is it something else.
Some species are more prone to death from the disease. Muskies and shad seem to die easily while sturgeon seem to be immune. Its not nature's way since the disease was moved into the great lakes system by humans.
"Steve S" said:
What do you mean by another broodstock?
????
"Will Schultz" said:
That could be possible but where? There aren't many places where it would be safe.
By safe do you mean without disrupting natural reproduction? Or VHS free?
The 'wheres' are well known. Yes, it will take a lot of effort to catch ripe fish. Use volunteer help. And Yes, the number of individuals trapped & spawned would likely be low. But it is not that hard to mitigate the lack of genetic diversity:
-Place nets in more than one spawning area/water body to diversify genetics
-Stock low numbers into the broodstock lake
-Pick a new broodstock lake for crying out loud. Yes there are plenty of good alternatives. No the existing NMUS in Thornapple was not the problem.
-Stock lower numbers of fall fingerlings per lake, spread over several bodies of water
-Stock a low number of fall fingerlings back into the lake(s) where the broodstock was collected
-Repeat each year. After 3 years you are on easy street and the Golden Age of muskies in Michigan begins.
We have nothing to lose this year. Let's get started
"Duke" said:
[quote="Will Schultz"]That could be possible but where? There aren't many places where it would be safe.
By safe do you mean without disrupting natural reproduction? Or VHS free?
The 'wheres' are well known. Yes, it will take a lot of effort to catch ripe fish. Use volunteer help. And Yes, the number of individuals trapped & spawned would likely be low. But it is not that hard to mitigate the lack of genetic diversity:
-Place nets in more than one spawning area/water body to diversify genetics
-Stock low numbers into the broodstock lake
-Pick a new broodstock lake for crying out loud. Yes there are plenty of good alternatives. No the existing NMUS in Thornapple was not the problem.
-Stock lower numbers of fall fingerlings per lake, spread over several bodies of water
-Stock a low number of fall fingerlings back into the lake(s) where the broodstock was collected
-Repeat each year. After 3 years you are on easy street and the Golden Age of muskies in Michigan begins.
We have nothing to lose this year. Let's get started
Only one place that I think it could be doable but logistically it is difficult to put crews in the UP.
If all else fails in acquiring GLS fish this year can we get NMUS fry from another state so at least we can raise some muskies this year and stock the inland stuff where strain doesn't matter?
Also it sounds like more and more muskies are floating down the river each day now, it may not be 2006 but this is a significant Muskie kill event.
"alumacraft07" said:
Would it be possible to get eggs from the Antrim chain ? Especially in some of the smaller shallower lakes?
It wouldn't be my first choice since the best eggs would come from the smallest populations of fish. Difficulty timing when to attempt, difficulty getting a ripe male and a ripe female, etc, etc.
"Mayhem" said:
If all else fails in acquiring GLS fish this year can we get NMUS fry from another state so at least we can raise some muskies this year and stock the inland stuff where strain doesn't matter?Also it sounds like more and more muskies are floating down the river each day now, it may not be 2006 but this is a significant Muskie kill event.
I dont know that they want to go down that path.
The press release says it may not be as bad. The discussion behind closed doors isn't as positive. This could be as significant as 2006.
"alumacraft07" said:
On the bright side a friend of mine was fishing mid river Sunday and he said no floating muskies this trip. He fished Friday / Saturday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday they were tons of dead fish floating but Sunday he didn't see any.
Wind change is likely the reason he didn't see any on Sunday
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