The lakes are selected based on thier individual need for large predators. For example; Lakes with average forage and a number of large predators already in place (Pike, Walleye) aren't good choices. Conversely, a lake with tons of forage with walleye and pike present could be a good choice. Besides forage, and the abundance of large predators, management plans for specific lakes may not be muskie friendly if the lake is being managed for trout or another species specifically.
What lake(s) did you have in mind, that might help answer in more detail.
When we were talking with Scott at the Fish Fest (he manages the muskie fries) he told us it was mostly politics to get a lake stocked. That and how close you already have a lake with skis in it. He actually made it sound pretty simple. Have 20+ people call or write asking for muskies in the same lake and if you don't have one close by, your chances are pretty good. There's no way I would get another lake close by me stocked. Campau= 10min. Murray= 35min. Thorn=50min.
"Jim tenHaaf" said:
When we were talking with Scott at the Fish Fest (he manages the muskie fries) he told us it was mostly politics to get a lake stocked. That and how close you already have a lake with skis in it. He actually made it sound pretty simple.
HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! He's also argued with me that the muskies in the show pond are all pure strain and not Tigers… 🙄 He likes to talk.
It would be nice to pick up on stocking programs that where side tracked. Hamlin Lake (Mason Co) was scheduled to receive three years stocking of 12,500 to create a new muskie fishery. It received the first stocking of 12,500 in 2005 and a partial 5,000 in 2006. Hamlin Lake is still 20,000 short. VHS stocking restrictions for 2008 may still leave Hamlin Lake short. The Hamlin Lake Association and Mason County Walleye Association are supporters of their new muskie program as a rare example of such cooperation to promote muskie stocking.
"Hamilton Reef" said:
It would be nice to pick up on stocking programs that where side tracked. Hamlin Lake (Mason Co) was scheduled to receive three years stocking of 12,500 to create a new muskie fishery. It received the first stocking of 12,500 in 2005 and a partial 5,000 in 2006. Hamlin Lake is still 20,000 short. VHS stocking restrictions for 2008 may still leave Hamlin Lake short. The Hamlin Lake Association and Mason County Walleye Association are supporters of their new muskie program as a rare example of such cooperation to promote muskie stocking.
Tom – From what we've seen on the lakes that were stocked based on that old system it's just too many fish. Starting them off with one per acre every other year is probably the best way to go. Hamlin is also on track for the GLS and I'm not sure if it will get another batch of northern strain (purely speculation on my part). With the dam a stone throw away from Lake Michigan it probably shouldn't have ever seen N. Strain stocked but that's another story…
Again Will is correct. The changing conditions and goals for Hamlin Lake are in transition. Hamlin Lake has an exciting muskie future coming. The important point is the rare cooperation of the locals trying to help the MMA. I know there are MCWA members and Hamlin Lake residents that will be joining the MMA.
thanks guys. that was the answer i thought i would get.really i would like a quality muskie fishery closer to were i live.knowing it does take time to mature. hudson is the closest one to me and thats over an hour drive.but maybe some research on closer lakes and some other people petition we could get somthing going. the lakes i had thought about were wolverine lake(commerce)lake pohnema(fenton) to name a couple. and what ever happend to tipsico lake (oakland county) i heard of people catching tigers and it was supposed to be stocked with a true strain to be managed for a trophy fishery. how true this is, im not sure.
Brandon – Close to Redford?? You can almost throw a rock into the 250,000+ acre Lake St. Clair and the 30+ mile of the Detroit River.
I took a quick look at Tipsico because I remember fishing that a long time ago. It looks like it might have been killed in the early 80's then re-stocked. Recent predator stocking has been Northern Pike and the DNR isn't going to stock both pike and muskie in the same water.
yes it drives me crazy that the river and lsc are so close but my 12 ft aluminum boat and 6 hp motor isnt the best setup for either one of these great fisheries although it does me just dandy on the smaller inland waters. and no i have not tried ovid yet, if i get my license back in march [smilie=ballchain.gif] that will be my next destination. hudson i love but it beats me up somtimes….. alot of times.but ovid seems to be the place to go if you want some consistancy. i might grow a pair and try lsc during the week next year depending on the weather and stay close to shore just in case. maybee one day i will be able to afford a bigger rig but right now i need to work on getting some decent wheels and my driving privlage back. thanks everyone for the feedback.
Sorry, I forgot the smaller boat was the issue. We have a 16 foot that we do very well in, but yes, 12 foot would be even more intimidating. It can be done, but please be very careful when you finally do go. Launch as close to where you want to fish as possible, watch the weather very closely, and wear your pfd!
Hi Scrappy, I wondered where you were. Good to see you promoting your local area. Everyone should be helping to promote their favorite lakes. Scrappy's Sanford Lake has couple decades of muskie stocking head start over Hamlin Lake, but that's not so important. Fun to tease. Someday the state will have a larger program to better supply the whole state. I take a lot of teasing for patience waiting for a local GLS muskie lake to be established in Muskegon County (Muskegon, White Lake, Mona Lake). Meanwhile, I've only got two weeks for salmon behind my house followed by the steelhead. No gas needed. The wheelbarrow is cheap to haul the beer to the river and the fish back.
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