5 New Lakes May Get Muskies.

[DonBo]

DNR considering five new muskie waters

(Released January 7, 2010)

In response to growing interest in muskellunge fishing, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is considering the stocking of muskie in five new waters starting in the fall of 2011.

Proposed for muskie management are Roosevelt Lake in Cass and Crow Wing counties; Upper South Long Lake and Lower South Long Lake in Crow Wing County; Tetonka Lake in Le Sueur County; and the Sauk River Chain in Stearns County.

“All of these waters meet or exceed the biological and physical criteria for muskie management,” said Dirk Peterson, DNR acting fisheries chief. He said there are eight key biological considerations including:

Proposed muskie waters must be greater than 500 acres.

Waters must contain adequate numbers and species of prey fish.

Water clarity must be moderate to clear.

Gillnet catches for northern pike must be three or less.

Waters must have the potential to produce a trophy fish.

“All five proposals are consistent with our management approach,” said Peterson. “Also they have been selected in part because of their geographic location. These lakes represent a strategic approach to provide muskie fishing where opportunity is limited.”

The muskie is one of Minnesota’s largest fish, growing to more than 50 pounds and more than 50 inches in length. Anglers have become increasingly interested in the so-called “fish of 10,000 casts” now that 50-plus inch fish can be caught in Lake Mille Lacs, Lake Vermillion and other waters that have been stocked since the 1980s.

“As muskie grew in size and abundance, so did interest catching them,” said Peterson, noting that muskie anglers are the fastest-growing segment of Minnesota’s fishing population. He said the DNR is addressing the trend of increasing interest in muskie through a long-range northern pike and muskie plan that was developed with stakeholder input. That plan calls for adding up to eight new muskie waters by 2020.

Today’s announcement of the five waters under consideration marks the beginning of a lengthy process to determine if the lakes will eventually become muskie waters. The DNR will post information on the proposed stocking at boat landings at the five lakes this spring, conduct public input meetings this summer and fall, and accept public comments until early next winter. If the DNR decides to move forward with the proposals, stocking would start in 2011. It would be 12 to 15 years after that before the fish reach 48-inches, the minimum size at which a muskie can be kept.

“Our process will be very transparent,” said Peterson, who noted the agency recognizes the muskie’s mystique appeals to a certain segment of anglers and generates the opposite reaction in others. The proposal will be discussed at the upcoming DNR stakeholder roundtable and later by a citizen advisory committee that is focusing on northern pike and muskie management.

Currently, muskies are found in 116 Minnesota water bodies. Of these, 64 are waters that have been stocked by the DNR.

[muskydeceiver]

This does not mean these lakes WILL get muskies.....it means they are being CONSIDERED....

[pushbutton]

the sauk chain would be a great place. they could eat all the catfish, that ate all the walleyes. the eye diehards will be rerolling over in their graves if they start start introducing the polish northern. a little more serious though...have fished the water quite a bit the last few years and only caught 1 northern, i dont fish for them at all but chance usually gets you more than that. have always wondered why there arent more there, could be the places where i mainly fish, would think it would be a good habitat but who knows....

[Big Tom]

Roosevelt is a very interesting option as well. Check out the structure on this lake. The DNR tried to introduce Lake Trout 30 years ago without much success.

Roosevelt has always produced trophy Walleye and NP. Not a numbers lake due to clarity and depths but it must have a pretty decent Tulibee supply.

If Roosevelt is added, Lawrence will have them as well as the two are connected.

[MUSKY18]

That's really good news. Now that the word is officially out about what lakes are being proposed, we (the musky angler) need to voice our support and help make the decision easier. Hope they don't let another Gull incident happen. I know that Shawn K. and others will be involved and will keep us all informed. Here is our chance to get new waters, lets keep it going in the right direction!

[cbrooks]

So its great they have these lakes under consideration but whats the next step and how likely is it they will get stock?

[DTro]

the sauk chain would be a great place. they could eat all the catfish,

Hey now

[nater]

the sauk chain would be a great place. they could eat all the catfish,

Don't think that's possible when Dtro goes out and get 40 cats in a couple hours We'll see if that continues tomorrow.

I sure hope there is a lot of support because it would be a great fishery. Hopefully all the other lakes get widespread support as well.

[Muskiefool]

The fish are counting on us, you guys can make all the difference, these are great lakes that will be stocked and managed as low density trophy lakes, tons of diverse forage.

There was allot of Muskie talk at the round table this weekend and allot of support from the fishing community, its going to be allot of fun working through the process, I'm really looking forward to it.

The key is informing people about the facts, such as the latest on the co-existence between Muskie and Walleye on Miltona.

[BehindtheHead]

so what happens to SPEARING on the lakes that are proposed to be stocked with muskies?

i live on lake tetonka near waterville. waterville and the cities around have a strong spearing haratage.

what will happen when muskies are stocked, will the dnr ban spearing, or put a slot on the lake?

putting a slot on a lake is as good as closing it for a spear fisherman.

just because the gill nets have less than 3 pike in them doesnt mean the population is down. that is only a idea of whats in the lake. i have been spearing the lake all year and i have seen alot of pike.

public accesses

tetonka has 2. one in the cannon river, and one on the south side of the lake. in the summer when the campgrounds are full your lucky if you can find a spot to park at 8 am.

what do you think will happen when there is musky guys comming dowm from the twin cities. GOOD LUCK

now i know there are already a fue muskies in the chain of lakes because the fish hatchery raises them there and some get out. but thats no reason go put more in.

i have alot of respect for you musky guys but put the money into lakes that already have fishable musky populations.

thats my opinion and i will FIGHT THIS TO THE END.

[dcmusky]

Now just think our friends down there with the S MN MDAA have been spewing this nonsence for 6 months now. READ THE MUSKIE/PIKE LONGRANGE PLAN! What pressure that lake is underutilized and you know it. Is Waterville booming so good that it couldn't use an influx of dollars? You should also ask were this idea originated.

[dcmusky]

The fish are counting on us, you guys can make all the difference, these are great lakes that will be stocked and managed as low density trophy lakes, tons of diverse forage.

There was allot of Muskie talk at the round table this weekend and allot of support from the fishing community, its going to be allot of fun working through the process, I'm really looking forward to it.

The key is informing people about the facts, such as the latest on the co-existence between Muskie and Walleye on Miltona

You hit the nail on the head!

[MUSKY18]

so what happens to SPEARING on the lakes that are proposed to be stocked with muskies?

i live on lake tetonka near waterville. waterville and the cities around have a strong spearing haratage.

what will happen when muskies are stocked, will the dnr ban spearing, or put a slot on the lake?

putting a slot on a lake is as good as closing it for a spear fisherman.

just because the gill nets have less than 3 pike in them doesnt mean the population is down. that is only a idea of whats in the lake. i have been spearing the lake all year and i have seen alot of pike.

public accesses

tetonka has 2. one in the cannon river, and one on the south side of the lake. in the summer when the campgrounds are full your lucky if you can find a spot to park at 8 am.

what do you think will happen when there is musky guys comming dowm from the twin cities. GOOD LUCK

now i know there are already a fue muskies in the chain of lakes because the fish hatchery raises them there and some get out. but thats no reason go put more in.

i have alot of respect for you musky guys but put the money into lakes that already have fishable musky populations.

thats my opinion and i will FIGHT THIS TO THE END.

Behind: The DNR will not close the lake to spearing. I do believe, and someone correct me if I am wrong, that any new musky lake will not be closed to spearing. Also, there is a HUGE misconception about when a lake gets stocked. The DNR isn't going to put a 1,000 forty inch fish in the lake. They are going to stock it with limited number of adults and mostly fingerlings. It will be 12-15 years before the lake will become a trophy lake with a population of big fish. So while the lake is being stocked, you aren't going to see the pressure from the musky guys for years down the road. There are many criteria that go into a lake being chosen to be stocked and Tetonka met these criteria. Not every lake will make a good musky lake, but through extensive research the DNR feels Tetonka and the other 4 lakes will, and that is good news for everyone. Take a look around the state at the premier musky lakes and what do you notice about them? They are not only great musky lakes, but also great waleye, pike, panfish and bass lakes. First 20lb pike I caught was from a musky lake, that is only a little over 1000 acres. Musky's are GOOD for a lake system, in the water and out of the water, so I just can't understand why everyone is so against it.

[RK]

BehindTheHead -

This will NOT mean there is a spearing ban. During the meetings with the DNR, the MDHA and various other groups that helped develop the LRP and discussed other muskie/pike issues over the last 3 years, the Muskie Alliance (which is a group that includes all Muskies Inc chapters in the state) has made it perfectly clear to everyone there (The MDHA and the DNR) that we are not making any request for an expanded spearing ban. It's a position that has been made perfectly clear on multiple occasions.

Slot limits on pike have nothing to do with muskie stocking. They're two totally separate issues and I'm not sure why so many darkhouse spearers think they're one in the same. If you have issues with slot limits, fair enough, but it's nothing to do with muskies on Tetonka or anywhere else.

So - no spearing ban, and pike slots are about pike, not muskies.

Rob Kimm

[Shawn Kellett]

As far as you "put your money in the lakes that already have muskies"; last year 1 in 10 muskies that got stocked in this state did so with private funds. We're already putting our money where our mouth is. Do the dark house people?

[walleye365]

hope this happens and in 10 years wont have to drive 30mins to get to a musky lake

[Muskiefool]

The only way a slot could be implemented is if the area manager brought it to the region then to St. Paul, we all know; well us that know the real score know; this will never happen.

To add to that; the only reason any lakes have slots is because the large pike have been removed, this is due to angler over exploitation, not Muskies, kill all the big fish out of of the system by any means possible and you find slots historically, its not just a spearing issue.

Muskies Inc cannot add a slot, only your Area Manager can do that, ask him at breakfast tomorrow if he plans on imposing a slot or banning spearing, that's his call not anyone from Muskies Inc or the Muskies themselves.

Maybe the postman or woman is an expert on Muskie effects as well?, maybe he or she can get slots or spearing bans? but Muskies Inc and the Minnesota Muskie Alliance will not endorse any further bans on new lakes, slots are a management tool generally requested by lake assn.s after the lake is destroyed.

It has nothing to do with Muskies or anyone I know.

[AWH]

thats my opinion and i will FIGHT THIS TO THE END.

If you're going to fight it, just make sure you're educated on the matter with facts first. Your credibility and your arguements will go a lot further that way. The same goes for the people in favor. When we allow facts to speak for themselves, the picture becomes much more clear.

Aaron

[Comit 2]

I saw this post and had to join FM.

I have been fishing Lake Tetonka for 35 years and I hope you don’t think everyone in south central Mn are against Muskies. To have a new fishing opportunity like this nearby is a god send! The only thing wrong with it is it didn’t happen 15 years ago.

I just want you to know that I will do every thing I can to off set the guy who said “i will FIGHT THIS TO THE END.” For I will fight for this to THE END.

[cbrooks]

Welcome to FM. Good to have the support of some the local people that fish that area.

[dcmusky]

I think the area DNR managers have picked some great waters. I hope people will utilize the DNR's web site and really educate themselves on muskies. I think they will like what they see! The folks on and around Miltona hated muskies and now they are useing them to boost their tourism. The muskies effect on the walleye fishing, nothing but possitive. Not only could you catch some nice walleyes and eaters but when the walleyes quit biteing you have this wonderful trophy fish that will bite when the sun is high.

[blue_healer_guy]

After being silent for about a month, your winter mortality rate on lake tetonka will be huge. I dont spear. A waste of money and time for your efforts. I may get into spearing tho.

[Comit 2]

Thank you for the warm welcome.

The way I see it is. Right now, I fish Tetonka around 20 times a summer and fish half that time for Bass and half on Walleyes. In the future I will still fish Tetonka around 20 time a summer but will have to split the time 3 ways. That means less pressure on the Walleye.

Right now is a good time to stock Tetonka with Muskies. The number of good Walleye in the lake is down from 3 winters ago (way down) so it would be hard to blame the low number on Muskies when every one knows it is from over harvesting.

[dcmusky]

After being silent for about a month, your winter mortality rate on lake tetonka will be huge. I dont spear. A waste of money and time for your efforts. I may get into spearing tho.

So now you are condoneing poaching? Wow! That's a new low.

[dcmusky]

Comit 2 I think there's allot more fishermen like you in southern MN. I just hope they all let their voices be heard when the public hearings come up this fall.