Underwater trees.

[carlcmc]

i agree. the lake suffers from stunted sunfish. this represents not enough mid and large predators. Stocking of Muskie by the DNR would be a welcome addition. I'm sure you would get some 'crybabies' that would complain that their child would get bitten at the beach but i think that is a falacious argument.

On the other hand, would there be any potential negatives that you could think of?

I do catch quite a few 1-2lb bass and I would imagine their numbers would decline.

Do muskies feed on catfish? Remember how this past summer there was the catfish kill on Chesterwoods? If the Muskies would feed on catfish I would be all for it (since I don't fish catfish). But that would bother others I'm sure.

How does one go about asking the DNR this?

[ikeslayer]

Well here is my take on this. If they wanted to release muskies into this lake then they should do tiger muskies because tiger muskies are sterile which means they can't reproduce and offspring. this way they could keep everything in check. As far as what a muskie would prey upon i think a muskie eats whatever the heck it wants to. muskies know they are the top of the food chain and they aren't even afraid of people. But that would be a forage delight for a muskie of any size.just what i think. Anyone else out there have similiar scenario????? As far as asking the dnr i have the e-mail address for the fisheries biologiest for the zumbro and lake pepin i might shoot him the question and see what he thinks. thanks ike

[CrappieJohn]

In another forum Carl brought up the issue of a catfish kill in Chesterwoods last summer. This will forever be a peril there due to the very limited amount of water exchange and the way the lake heats up during the hot summer months. I'm not sure that the lake offers enough cool water retreats that the muskies could get into and not have issues of territory come about.

Northerns now, they can tolerate warmer water than the muskies and far mor turbid water than muskies. They too could go to work on some of the smaller panfish to get the size to improve somewhat and provide some serious action for those who chase them. It would have to be a catch and release fishery though or they'd be out of there like, well you know.

[FishinFool]

If the DNR did decide to stock northerns in Chesterwoods, how do you think the DNR would control their population? The northerns would be able to reproduce and there isn't much that would feed on the young northerns. What I'm trying to get at is what would be done to prevent Chesterwoods to becoming a lake with a bunch of hammerhandles? IMO I would rather have the small sunnies and largemouth than lots of little pike.

[CrappieJohn]

I personally don't fish there much. I'll go out and talk to people on the ice for my daily walk and see how they are doing, but other than that I seldom put a line in the water there.

I didn't mean to sound as though I am endorsing the stocking of an fish in there other than what is there now. My suggestion was that if the dnr were to stock a predator fish there, the northern would likely be better suited for that water. Muskies need cooler water or very deep water where summer temps will not smother them.

Trust me, I was less than excited when they tossed muskies in the Zumbro and can honestly say that I am quite happy the fishery has been below the dam for those things. The northerns out there are bad enough.

[JPSavage]

OK...You guys had your chance!, I was willing to take someone out to the "secret lake"in the northwoods, however now that I've been snubbed by all, I'm taking my tackle box and going home....I'll posts pics during the open water season for ya!........LOL

[Slyster]

Sounds like a great gem you have JP... wish I lived in your area! I wish I could move.. live down south in Texas. BIG bass!