I have a couple of questions for you, I fish mostly the chain of lakes and just want to make sure I'm educated as far as spawning and fishing this time of year.
1. Does the current Muskie opener not protect spawning fish?
2. When do fish spawn in my area, how do I know when they are in post-spawn?
3. Is it safe to fish muskies right now?
I'm planning on going out on the water tomorrow, but just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be wasting my time, and also that I dont harm any fish by fishing them. Thanks.
Chris Musselman
"Chris Musselman" said:
1. Does the current Muskie opener not protect spawning fish?
No, in most places it doesn't.
"Chris Musselman" said:
2. When do fish spawn in my area, how do I know when they are in post-spawn?
From the end of April through the middle of May but weather can play a role in this and there will even be spawning fish into the first week of June. The upper Antrim Chain fish are usually done by the end of April. The lower chain fish are normally done by the third week of May.
"Chris Musselman" said:
3. Is it safe to fish muskies right now?
When they're spawning they are harder to catch which means catching a spawning fish shouldn't be likely. However, catching a pre-spawn fish could cause her to dump eggs during and after the fight with no male around to fertilize the eggs. The best thing (in my opinion) is to stay out of known spawning areas while the fish are spawning. Careful handling and no time (or very limited) out of the water is important if you happen to catch a big fish.
"Will Schultz" said:
catching a pre-spawn fish could cause her to dump eggs during and after the fight with no male around to fertilize the eggs. The best thing (in my opinion) is to stay out of known spawning areas while the fish are spawning. Careful handling and no time (or very limited) out of the water is important if you happen to catch a big fish.
Now, of course, this only applies to people like yourself, Chris who are fishing waters that rely on natural reproduction and have no stocking efforts. We don't have the same situations here in "the south".
"Jim tenHaaf" said:
[quote="Will Schultz"]catching a pre-spawn fish could cause her to dump eggs during and after the fight with no male around to fertilize the eggs. The best thing (in my opinion) is to stay out of known spawning areas while the fish are spawning. Careful handling and no time (or very limited) out of the water is important if you happen to catch a big fish.
Now, of course, this only applies to people like yourself, Chris who are fishing waters that rely on natural reproduction and have no stocking efforts. We don't have the same situations here in "the south".
Yes.
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