Mille Lacs Lake Muskies . . . What Happened?
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- Опубліковано 14 лип 2024
- If you are after a giant muskie, Mille Lacs grows some of the biggest fattest ones in the state. However, the population of muskies and angler catch rates are extremely low compared to what they once were. So what happened? How did it go from being one of the best muskie fisheries on earth to what has become now . . . a low odds slot machine for big fish.
In this video, Josh and Nolen will explain what they think happened and back it up with some facts and data.
Two other things to note . . .
1. While many of Mille Lacs top muskies guides were forced to leave the lake when the bite crashed in 2008 and beyond. Some return to the lake during prime times to guide and a few stayed and still grind out some big fish. I would never want to hurt their bookings. Those guides are your best chance at scoring a giant on this lake. But, I think they would all agree it could be so much better with increased muskie stocking.
2. The MN DNR is taking public input regarding the future management of Mille Lacs Lake (including muskie management) through April 2nd, 2021. The current muskie management plan being proposed is to stick with the status quo of the same tiny amounts of muskies being stocked every other year. You can give your input on this matter at the following link . . .
(link was removed once deadline passed) - Спорт
Well done putting this together, Josh.
Really good detailed information! Nice work!!
Thanks Josh. I really enjoyed this video and it highlights the importance of an educated approach to stocking MN lakes.
Great info. Shows the importance of good management and stocking. Tight lines my brotha!
Good info. Thank u
Nice presentation. One factor in the WI survival study in 1975 that was not discussed was the size of the stocked fingerlings. I've heard that years ago the size of the stocked fingerlings was much smaller and the survival in the initial years was not as high as it is now. You probably didn't have that information, but I don't think it would radically change any of the conclusions that were discussed.
That's good information. I thought that survival rate seemed a bit low. We may have accidentally compensated for that in the model - the first year survival in the WI study was 11.4%, but we used 33%. The 33% figure was based on the MN DNR's stocking guideline of 1 yearling ~ 3 fingerlings.
One thing to note: for looking at adult populations, the intricate details of survival rates age 0-5 are not really relevant. It doesn't matter what percentage died in year 1, 2, etc, only what total percentage reach adulthood. Even that does not affect the shape of the graphs - it only shifts them up or down.
What does affect the shape of the graphs a are survival rates in adulthood. We looked at a range of plausible survival rates from 60% annually up to 95% annually. The curves looked slightly different but the overall trend is the same.
The most important point here is that the core story told by the model doesn't change even if the details aren't perfectly accurate. It is also consistent with angler observations (lots of big old fish in 06-07 with not many small ones), the lunge log catches, and common sense (high/low stocking --> high/low adult pop years later).
Thanks for putting this together guys. It's sad what has been happening to our fisheries in the northern states.
That’s Really Cool
Solid information. You can't catch what isn't there. Stocking rates are getting cut in IL also.
Great job Josh and Nolan!
Hopefully Musky fisherman will react and speak up to the DNR.
There is nothing that can be done for the lake due to native rights.
I think you’re right on! And yes do it more!
Thank you for this. I will continue to fish for a 60" She's out there. I KNOW it. 👍
Great info... in the words of Metallica, sad but true.
That was to establish a population live near by you would not belive the dead muskies due to mishandling (lets get a lot of pitures )
That’s cool
Super interesting, have you thought about presenting this to the dnr. Just doing a little checking on the stocking of a few of my favorite lakes that are 1/23-1/46 the size of mille lacs and they receive half as many fingerlings every other year! Are there just not enough fingerlings to go around?
Is that lake commercially fished by the Indians?
Josh, if you've got data on other lakes then please publish it. It can only help in the battle to stock more muskies. I wish I had found this sooner so I could have used the link and commented to the DNR.
Well, same thing happened here on the St. Louis River. Sad really. More mis management
Politics and game management don’t mix.
Fact of the matter is that the politicians are trying to run the Mille Lacs resort owners out of business so the owners of the casino can buy them up. They lied about the walleyes and didn't stock the Muskies. The smallies saved many of the resorts from extinction.... Politicians didn't count on that. Hail to the Bronzeback. Lets get the Muskie stocking going and save this amazing place.
Gill Nets?
That’s what I think happened for sure and no one will talk about it I would be willing to bet if they were never allowed to net it the musky fishing would still be amazing
I am curious to know why the Muskies at Mille Lacs do not have much spawning success?
Why would people harvest the trophy fish? As a trophy carp angler we do everything we can to release our fish for tomorrow.
Thanks for this guys! Clearly a massive correlation between stocking and angler success. Let's acknowledge the elephant in the room though which is the effect of (particularly night) fishing with double bladed bucktails. This inception happened just a year or two before the "cliff" or drought was experienced in 07. Clearly stocking is the heart & soul of muskie angling success on lakes like Mille Lacs and Vermilion. However the 07 cliff just seemed too steep to pin just on stocking. The cliff was inevitable (due to lack of stocking) but I wonder if the severity or steepness could have been avoided? Do we as muskie anglers need to be honest with ourselves about feel good phrases like "catch, photo & release" and what that really entails? A lot of time and money was invested to create that population of alpha, adult, 30-50lb. muskies. Forget 80 harvested muskies in 06. What about the #s of long photo sessions, girthing, out of the net then back in then out again, precise measurements, and massive barbed treble hooks sticking out of gill plates or buried in the throat or tongue that occurred between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. in the summer and fall of 06? We all remember how much fun 04, 05 and 06 were. 5-15 fish nights. Multiple 50" nights. Unforgettable. I don't know, maybe the crash was worth it? I do know I miss it though. Being a part of the problem that created the crash makes my approach to the "catch & release" process much different than it used to be.
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So is musky even a good meal I here pike is a good meal?
Sad but good stuff. Guessing vermilions story is pretty similar.
That’s what I was thinking as well.
reminds me of vermilion
Natives gill net everything on principle as some sort of protest or demonstration of their rights, there are piles and piles of dead fish mostly unused throughout the open water season.
80 muskie reported in the creel must be an estimate, correct? It's seems unlikely that a creel clerk (s) actually handled 80 dead muskie during a creel survey in a single summer. That's nearly 1 fish per day! If it's an estimate, then the 36# average needs some context. Also, will stocking more fish help if harvest stays that high?
I think that 80 muskies at a average of 36 pounds is correct! That was the year the Double Cowgirl was introduced to muskie fishing. If you were on Lake Mille Lacs at that time you would understand. I don't think harvest like that will ever happen again. The Double Cowgirl is still a great bait, but not like it was in 2006!
Do the Indians track all the muskies they kill with their nets?