Great Lakes Muskellunge
Moderator: Cyberlunge
- Jim tenHaaf
- Posts: 3126
- Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:48 pm
- Location: Kentwood
- Contact:
I thought that I had heard, or read that years ago Northern strain fish were being stocked in the Indian river. What I remember was that they stopped because the fish were heading to Lake Huron, and leaving the system. Not staying in the river, and Burt/Mullet/Black lakes.
I hope that these fish that are stocked into lake connected to Lake Michigan, don't just leave the lakes, and enter Lake Michigan.
Does this sound like a reasonable concern?
I hope that these fish that are stocked into lake connected to Lake Michigan, don't just leave the lakes, and enter Lake Michigan.
Does this sound like a reasonable concern?
- Will Schultz
- Posts: 7663
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:06 pm
- Location: GR, MI
There were some fish we got from Wisconsin stocked in the inland waterway but they were GL.LonLB wrote:I thought that I had heard, or read that years ago Northern strain fish were being stocked in the Indian river. What I remember was that they stopped because the fish were heading to Lake Huron, and leaving the system. Not staying in the river, and Burt/Mullet/Black lakes.
I hope that these fish that are stocked into lake connected to Lake Michigan, don't just leave the lakes, and enter Lake Michigan.
Does this sound like a reasonable concern?
Yes, many of these waters on the radar for the future will lose fish to Lake Michigan or Huron for sure. That really goes in hand with a restoration project like this. Consider the fishery created in Green Bay, most fish stay nearby some leave and never come back. Then again maybe they find their way to another suitable location and find a parntner the following spring... voila... restoration reaching new water.
Self interest is for the past, common interest is for the future.
Please forgive this ignorant and selfish question but for those who have caught plenty of both, would you say they are essentially the same in habits, difficulty to catch, etc.? I've had very little experience with the GLS and was hoping that they weren't even tougher than the Northern Strain, but either way I do still like the shift to what would be a more natural part of our waters. Thanks.
- Jim tenHaaf
- Posts: 3126
- Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:48 pm
- Location: Kentwood
- Contact:
Joe, there was an article in Musky Hunter back in 2008 written by Steve Gensen on a lot of the differences that he has observed fishing both Wisconsin and Minnesota waters. There were some differences like the GLS are pack feeders, and there are more intense feeding windows, whereas the barred were more likely to bite at any time throughout the day. Also, the GLS seemed to be more wandering. I still have the mag and can make copies if you are interested in reading it.pikerule2 wrote:Please forgive this ignorant and selfish question but for those who have caught plenty of both, would you say they are essentially the same in habits, difficulty to catch, etc.? I've had very little experience with the GLS and was hoping that they weren't even tougher than the Northern Strain, but either way I do still like the shift to what would be a more natural part of our waters. Thanks.
I would like to see that article.Jim tenHaaf wrote:Joe, there was an article in Musky Hunter back in 2008 written by Steve Gensen on a lot of the differences that he has observed fishing both Wisconsin and Minnesota waters. There were some differences like the GLS are pack feeders, and there are more intense feeding windows, whereas the barred were more likely to bite at any time throughout the day. Also, the GLS seemed to be more wandering. I still have the mag and can make copies if you are interested in reading it.pikerule2 wrote:Please forgive this ignorant and selfish question but for those who have caught plenty of both, would you say they are essentially the same in habits, difficulty to catch, etc.? I've had very little experience with the GLS and was hoping that they weren't even tougher than the Northern Strain, but either way I do still like the shift to what would be a more natural part of our waters. Thanks.
- kid coulson
- Posts: 1976
- Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2005 11:20 pm
- Location: grandville MI
- Will Schultz
- Posts: 7663
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:06 pm
- Location: GR, MI
Depends on the lake. Some of the N. Strain lakes were on their way out anyway so this will likely end those prematurely.kid coulson wrote:So how will this affect the smaller inland lakes? Will these lakes get switched over to GLS or will they fade away?
Self interest is for the past, common interest is for the future.
- kid coulson
- Posts: 1976
- Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2005 11:20 pm
- Location: grandville MI
- Will Schultz
- Posts: 7663
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:06 pm
- Location: GR, MI
The NS don't belong there so hopefully they'll be replaced over time by the GL.kid coulson wrote:Are they worried at all about NS and GLS cross-breeding together throughout the Thornapple river. Reproduction seems to be zreo in the lake but who really knows throughout the river?
Self interest is for the past, common interest is for the future.
- Will Schultz
- Posts: 7663
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:06 pm
- Location: GR, MI
Hudson could get them eventually if it is decided that the GL will be the only strain reared here. That hasn't been decided and it's possible that some NS will be reared in another hatchery eventually.Steve S wrote:Would Hudson be switched over to a GLS?
Self interest is for the past, common interest is for the future.
- Will Schultz
- Posts: 7663
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:06 pm
- Location: GR, MI
I'm not aware of that ever being done on purpose. There are some areas around the state where they're together but that was a mistake. When crossing strains generally the purpose is to get a faster growing fish and/or one that is adaptable to a variety of water. With the goal to rebuild/enhance self sustaining fisheries around the state it's best to select the strain based on their spawning site selection habits. In many of our waters, even where NS have been stocked the GL seem to be a better fit. Once again though, this is the strain that belongs in the LP and most of the UP waters and not the NS.Steve S wrote:Have they ever crossed a NS & GLS to see what would happen? Bigger gene pool.
The planned genetic testing will answer lots of questions. Let's keep our fingers crossed on the money!!
Self interest is for the past, common interest is for the future.