"Abomb" said:
so…are these northern strain reproducing slightly, or are they just the few from the previous plantings swimming back into the lake when the forage is there. I'm talking on Mac. ? I mean I know that one is one of them, but is it possible?
They could be in some of the nearby (N and S on the big lake)rivers/creeks. I would bet my favorite bulldawg that the fish in the photo above is from the 97 stocking.
I just have to throw in on this topic too, becuase its one of my favorites. I don't have any way to prove this but, in my mind believe that fish could be a pure GLS natural fish. Its probably not, Will is probably right, but the only reason I say that is playing the odds and probabilities (very few GLS needles left in that area of the haystack anymore vs. the stockings done in Macatawa). And like Steve said it would be great if the angler could get sample to the DNR for genetics. Maybe our DNR should be proactive and track him down?
The reason I say this is I believe that if you take a true GLS spotted Lake Michigan roamer and have him swim around in Mac's mud for a while (how long, I don't know- week, months, year??)- that is exactly what he just might look like. The markings as an indicator of the strain is over- reaching in my opinion, but the markings as an indicator of the fish's environment is more like it.
I respectfully disagree. I don't believe muskies can change patterns like chameleons, only hues of skin color based on water color or clarity. However, in the second pic of that fish It looked a little more spotted but not enough to convince me that its not a planted fish. I've seen spotties come from water thats gin clear to tannin tea to slate grey to brown with 0 visibility……..they've all been spotted, some lighter some darker. A lady kept a giant from the Mouth of the Tahquamenon this past May. The fish probably spent many of its years in Lake Superior, but the fish was barred. Duke is right abut one thing, regardless, genetic info from that fish would be interesting.
"Duke" said:
Dude, I have SEEN them change!! A leopard can't change its spots, but to some degree, a muskie (virtually any fish) can! Its alright you don't have to believe me, but its true. No its not like a chameleon, but I would say it is over more of a period like weeks-to-months.
OK, maybe i will show my ignorance here, cause I am not even armchair bioligist worthy… But I am gonna say Duke has presented a reasonable possibility, and I definately think they morph coloration due to water coloration and habbitat.
On LSC, if you catch fish from the east side of the lake that have been in really dirtly/milky water from runoff, they tend to be more washed out in coloration. Basically a white/grey color with spots that wre less pronounced. If you catch fish from clear open water, and especially from clear water with healthy weeds, they are very silver with darker backs, and pronounced spots/markings.
Secondly, out on Ottawa/St. Lawrence, they are all GLS, but fish from ottawas (Tanic/Sediment rich/dark water) have a gold/brown coloration and creamy belly with subtle markings (just like the mac fish). Fish from St. Lawrence look just like LSC open water/weed fish.
Well,
Last report was do to the "unexpected" high cost of getting it mounted the fish was cut up and eatin. Not very good was the verdict(go figure).
Pier measurement was 48 "exact", useing what devise to measure it, I have no idea(yet) — later measured at a bait shop with tape measure 46.5. Caught on 12 lb P-Line. It was supposedly his "last cast" before going home.<– guess he was right !! lol!!
This is the word on the street and I make no guarantee they are the concrete "FACTS". Heck of a fish in any case!!
I can only speak from seeing other GLS fish from other ports including some that are VERY dirty. In fact, here's a pic of a GLS from some very dirty water and this is exactly what I would expect a GLS in lake Mac to look like.
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