Post by Woody Williams on Mar 31, 2008 11:11:26 GMT -5
Muskie survey to begin at Skinner Lake in mid-April
A survey on the number and size of muskies caught by anglers at Skinner Lake in Noble County is set to begin in mid-April and will run through October, according to the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).
Although muskies, which are large predatory sport fish that can grow up to 4 feet long, have been stocked in the 125-acre natural lake since 1986, biologists say current information is needed on the status of their population and popularity among anglers.
"Each year we stock about 625 muskie fingerlings in Skinner Lake at a commercial value of $5,000," said Jed Pearson, DFW biologist. "We want to know how many anglers fish for muskies at the lake and how many muskies are caught to assess the program."
The most recent angler survey at Skinner Lake was conducted in 1994. At that time, anglers fished nearly 11,000 hours, 21 percent of which was directed at muskies.
"That's a pretty high level of interest," Pearson said. "Although no legal-size muskies were taken home that year, we estimated anglers caught and released 264 muskies. Interest and catches back then were enough to justify the stocking program."
Beginning April 15, DFW personnel will be stationed at Skinner Lake to count the number of anglers and examine their catch . The DFW personnel will also ask about the species anglers fished for, whether they caught any muskies, and how they rate fishing at the lake.
"Based on the fraction of anglers interviewed by survey clerks, we can estimate total effort and catch for each month," Pearson said. "The survey will tell us whether interest in muskie fishing has increased, decreased or stayed about the same since 1994."
Biologists will also set trap nets in early April to help estimate the overall relative number and size of muskies in the lake.
"We also plan to look at the long-term impacts of the muskie stocking program on other fish in the lake," Pearson said. "In May, we'll conduct an electrofishing survey to estimate the number and size of bass. Then in June, we'll go back to conduct a follow-up survey to see if there have been any changes in numbers or sizes of bluegills, crappies and other fish species."
---------------------------
Media Contact:
Jed Pearson
fisheries biologist
(260) 244-6805
Marty Benson,
public information officer
(317) 233-3853
cell (317) 696-9812
A survey on the number and size of muskies caught by anglers at Skinner Lake in Noble County is set to begin in mid-April and will run through October, according to the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).
Although muskies, which are large predatory sport fish that can grow up to 4 feet long, have been stocked in the 125-acre natural lake since 1986, biologists say current information is needed on the status of their population and popularity among anglers.
"Each year we stock about 625 muskie fingerlings in Skinner Lake at a commercial value of $5,000," said Jed Pearson, DFW biologist. "We want to know how many anglers fish for muskies at the lake and how many muskies are caught to assess the program."
The most recent angler survey at Skinner Lake was conducted in 1994. At that time, anglers fished nearly 11,000 hours, 21 percent of which was directed at muskies.
"That's a pretty high level of interest," Pearson said. "Although no legal-size muskies were taken home that year, we estimated anglers caught and released 264 muskies. Interest and catches back then were enough to justify the stocking program."
Beginning April 15, DFW personnel will be stationed at Skinner Lake to count the number of anglers and examine their catch . The DFW personnel will also ask about the species anglers fished for, whether they caught any muskies, and how they rate fishing at the lake.
"Based on the fraction of anglers interviewed by survey clerks, we can estimate total effort and catch for each month," Pearson said. "The survey will tell us whether interest in muskie fishing has increased, decreased or stayed about the same since 1994."
Biologists will also set trap nets in early April to help estimate the overall relative number and size of muskies in the lake.
"We also plan to look at the long-term impacts of the muskie stocking program on other fish in the lake," Pearson said. "In May, we'll conduct an electrofishing survey to estimate the number and size of bass. Then in June, we'll go back to conduct a follow-up survey to see if there have been any changes in numbers or sizes of bluegills, crappies and other fish species."
---------------------------
Media Contact:
Jed Pearson
fisheries biologist
(260) 244-6805
Marty Benson,
public information officer
(317) 233-3853
cell (317) 696-9812