FYI

QUOTE(Large Mouth Peks @ Jun 14 2009, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Good info Bob. Incredible stats regarding the consistant size increase in the past 10 years. I guess it is still hard to determine whether it is just a natural up and down curve with these big fish, or it soley has to do with the invasive species, and we are with these big fish for the long run...lets hope its the latter.

the fish seem to have gotten bigger since the vhs die off, less competition in the food chain i think plays a part in it. now it appears were getting a smallie die off too wich is another highly populated fish in lsc is mother nature balancing the scales ? just my opinion but i think it is a part of the big picture,clearer water,whitefish making a return to our area etc ... i know some complain about a few big fish being harvested but some of them fish may be so old they dont even spawn anymore and i dont think it harms the fishery where else do you hear of double digit muskie catches in one day of fishing. to my knowledge lsc has never had to be stocked to replace the numbers taken by anglers like some of the other species. most fish die from starvation not old age thats why we dont have floaters all over nothing in the stomachs to make gas

QUOTE(troller11 @ Jun 14 2009, 10:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE(Large Mouth Peks @ Jun 14 2009, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Good info Bob. Incredible stats regarding the consistant size increase in the past 10 years. I guess it is still hard to determine whether it is just a natural up and down curve with these big fish, or it soley has to do with the invasive species, and we are with these big fish for the long run...lets hope its the latter.

the fish seem to have gotten bigger since the vhs die off, less competition in the food chain i think plays a part in it. now it appears were getting a smallie die off too wich is another highly populated fish in lsc is mother nature balancing the scales ? just my opinion but i think it is a part of the big picture,clearer water,whitefish making a return to our area etc ... i know some complain about a few big fish being harvested but some of them fish may be so old they dont even spawn anymore and i dont think it harms the fishery where else do you hear of double digit muskie catches in one day of fishing. to my knowledge lsc has never had to be stocked to replace the numbers taken by anglers like some of the other species. most fish die from starvation not old age thats why we dont have floaters all over nothing in the stomachs to make gas


I also also agree highly with what you say here. It is a BIG picture we are dealing with, and it looks like it has been in the works for years and years and years and we are finally seeing some results of whatever it is that was brewing out there. I would have to assume the Whitefish would be directly related to the invasive species (zebras). In turn, if the Whitefish population remains constant, this could ultimately increase the musky size around here in the future by a small, minut bit......and with the Musky, every lil bit counts!
Just another assumption, but I would lean towards our lake not being stocked, because of how shallow and connected we are to two large Great Lakes, that any fish stocked in our Lake would relocate or die off quickly? No clue though. I just see the 23foot max depth being an issue with fish native to the Great Lakes, that are so accustomed to having deeper water near by.

I know, I talk too much lol

QUOTE(Large Mouth Peks @ Jun 14 2009, 12:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE(troller11 @ Jun 14 2009, 10:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE(Large Mouth Peks @ Jun 14 2009, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Good info Bob. Incredible stats regarding the consistant size increase in the past 10 years. I guess it is still hard to determine whether it is just a natural up and down curve with these big fish, or it soley has to do with the invasive species, and we are with these big fish for the long run...lets hope its the latter.

the fish seem to have gotten bigger since the vhs die off, less competition in the food chain i think plays a part in it. now it appears were getting a smallie die off too wich is another highly populated fish in lsc is mother nature balancing the scales ? just my opinion but i think it is a part of the big picture,clearer water,whitefish making a return to our area etc ... i know some complain about a few big fish being harvested but some of them fish may be so old they dont even spawn anymore and i dont think it harms the fishery where else do you hear of double digit muskie catches in one day of fishing. to my knowledge lsc has never had to be stocked to replace the numbers taken by anglers like some of the other species. most fish die from starvation not old age thats why we dont have floaters all over nothing in the stomachs to make gas


I also also agree highly with what you say here. It is a BIG picture we are dealing with, and it looks like it has been in the works for years and years and years and we are finally seeing some results of whatever it is that was brewing out there. I would have to assume the Whitefish would be directly related to the invasive species (zebras). In turn, if the Whitefish population remains constant, this could ultimately increase the musky size around here in the future by a small, minut bit......and with the Musky, every lil bit counts!
Just another assumption, but I would lean towards our lake not being stocked, because of how shallow and connected we are to two large Great Lakes, that any fish stocked in our Lake would relocate or die off quickly? No clue though. I just see the 23foot max depth being an issue with fish native to the Great Lakes, that are so accustomed to having deeper water near by.

I know, I talk too much lol


from what ive heard from the dnr they been unsuccessful at rearing pure strain great lakes muskies. they have tried so they can stock other places besides lsc why we see hybrid tiger muskie stockings they can successfully raise those

Bob

Thanks for bringing up the MOMC data. Many of us have worked long and hard, to keep the statistic up to date. I have been doing so for the MOMC, since the mid 90's.

The trends you point out are dead on. You can almost match the size limit changes (increase) and the popularity of C&R in the 90's (way increased, compared to the 60's & 70's) with the stats.

Many forget about the days, when John Minor and Roy Aldous Charters were both running 3-5 boats out of Belle River. Both fleets, used to line the docks with 30-50 inch muskie daily, until the Size limit was increased to 40inches. (pictures at Belle River marina, still on the wall) Also, the old tourny days, when weigh ins were at the foot of Alter Rd, and 40-60 muskies hung on the hook, each derby.

I am certain, these changes (no more dock lining, and 60 fish derbies), make the numbers what they are today.