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Michigan Muskie Alliance, Muskies, Inc. Chapter 47
Position on MDAA Lake St Clair muskellunge spearing proposal

Michigan Muskie Alliance (MMA) supports the scientific management of Michigan's fisheries for all anglers, and for future generations of anglers. To work towards this goal, MMA is driven by one fundamental principle that is integral to success: To support selected conservation practices based on scientific merit and carried out by authorized federal and state agencies. Simply put, conservation is the wise use of natural resources.

Muskies are a challenging fish to gather scientific information on, primarily due to their relative scarcity. Even in Lake St. Clair, arguably the most productive muskie fishery in the world and part of a large metropolitan area with intense interest in the fishery, many scientific questions remain unknown. But one documented fact that is undeniable is that the conservation practices of Lake St. Clair's anglers and protective regulations put in place have contributed significantly to the success seen in its muskie fishery today.

MMA does not view the proposal to reinstate a winter spearing season for muskies on Lake St. Clair as a question of whether or not to allow the method. Rather, it is a question of whether to allow an increase in harvest by any method. Angling methods are irrelevant in scientific fisheries management; only the impact of angling and the rate of exploitation matter. Scientific research clearly shows that muskie populations are highly vulnerable to over exploitation. The vulnerability of muskellunge fisheries is recognized in the following Objective of the Michigan DNR Muskellunge Management Plan:
Prevent annual mortality rates from exceeding 25% to prevent recruitment over fishing on naturally reproducing populations.
Annual natural mortality for muskellunge is accepted to be between 16 and 26% (Casselman et al. 1996). Therefore, to achieve the management plan objective to prevent over fishing (i.e. achieve sustainable population) and prevent annual mortality from exceeding 25% of the population, muskellunge annual exploitation needs to be near zero. Handling and release techniques used by experienced muskellunge anglers may result in low levels of post-release mortality (< 5%), but inexperienced muskellunge anglers likely cause higher levels of post-release mortality (Landsman et al. 2011). Incidental catch makes up a portion of overall catch and anglers not accustomed to handling large esocids resulted in 10% of all sublegal tiger muskellunge caught to die as a result of the angling experience in a small Illinois impoundment (Newman and Storck 1986). Lakes with muskellunge in Michigan likely experience a higher level of angling from anglers inexperienced with handling large esocids than those experienced. Even if annual natural mortality is only 16%, and even if a muskellunge fishery were 100% catch and release, with inexperienced anglers the annual mortality could possibly exceed 25% if the overall catch rate is high enough.

The Lake St. Clair muskie population does not appear to be experiencing over exploitation, certainly not over the last several decades at least. However, angler reports and some DNR research are potentially beginning to show indications of a decline in population in recent years. This data is not conclusive, but it bears caution based on known general muskellunge population dynamics.

Impact on Population Dynamics and Recruitment
An increase in annual mortality would have a negative impact on the size structure in Lake St Clair. While it would seem that a minimal increase in annual mortality would not dramatically impact the muskellunge fishery, it can dramatically impact recruitment. Increases in annual mortality can cause a decrease in mean age of muskellunge, with as little as a 2% increase in annual mortality causing a reduction in mean age of muskellunge from 23 years to 21 years, which is comparable to a 70% decline in recruitment (Casselman et al. 1996). In addition to impacting recruitment, any increase in annual mortality will impact size structure as found in Wisconsin waters where angling and tribal spearing are both impacting the fishery. Numbers of trophy length muskellunge (≥ 40, 45, or 50 in) decreased as harvest mortality from either fishery increased across all body types and regulations. Combinations of angling and spearing mortality were identified that reduced relative stock density of muskellunge greater than 38 in and 42 in below levels used by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to define trophy fisheries (Faust 2011). Conversely, data presented by Jim Francis ( MI-DNR) detailing historical muskellunge age structure in Lake St. Clair shows a significant improvement in fish age distribution and size structure after enacting more restrictive regulations and the adoption of catch and release by anglers.

Interestingly, there were no regulations on muskellunge angling whatsoever in Lake St. Clair prior to 1969. Following years of population decline believed to have resulted from both environmental and angling impacts, Michigan and Ontario fishery managers grew concerned that muskies were being overfished. The very first regulation to be enacted was to close the season during winter and spring and to ban spearing in 1969. Shortly thereafter came the first minimum size limit of 30" and a daily bag limit of 1 fish, followed by gradual increases in MSL until- combined with adoption of catch and release practices- the desired result of a successful recovery of the muskie population was achieved.

In summary, MMA opposes allowing an increased harvest of muskies in any body of water with an unknown, but potentially adverse impact. While the modest spearing season proposal on Lake St. Clair likely poses a relatively low risk, we believe the increased harvest it allows should be offset by another, more protective measure such as an increased MSL. Furthermore, as a chapter of Muskies, Inc. Michigan Muskie Alliance is bound to abide by the policies of its parent organization. Policy 04-05-86 indicates that "Muskies, Inc. opposes the taking of muskellunge by any method other than sports fishing by hook and line.”

Lastly, while MMA bases its position on the best available scientific information, the DNR must also manage fisheries based upon social and political considerations. It has become apparent that the legitimacy and the attractiveness of Michigan's muskie fishery to in-state and out-of-state anglers is at stake. As the only state or province that allows non-tribal spearing of muskies, we are already likely sacrificing economic value of our fisheries due to higher harvest rates and lower populations in lakes other than Lake St. Clair. To jeopardize our crown jewel and only true muskie destination, and one that we share with Ontario who does not support muskie spearing, is a risk that Michigan cannot afford to take.

Sincerely,

Michigan Muskie Alliance, Muskies Inc. Chapter 47

References

Casselman, J. M., E. J. Crossman, and C. J. Robinson. 1996. Assessing sustainability of trophy Muskellunge fisheries

Faust, M. 2011 Effect of harvest mortalits on muskellunge size structure in Wisconsin’s ceded territory.

Landsman, S. J., H. J. Wachelka, C. D. Suski, and S. J. Cooke. 2011. Evaluation of the physiology, behaviour, and survival of adult muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) captured and released by specialized anglers.

Newman, D. L., and T. W. Storck. 1986. Angler catch, growth, and hooking mortality of tiger muskellunge in small centrarchid – dominated impoundments.