General Muskie Information

[Weekend Angler]

Hi Folks;

I wanted to share the following article. It's a public info article that should hit the local papers anytime now. Trying to educate the public about the naturally reproducing Muskie population and knowing the difference between a Pike and a Muskie...

Dinosaurs In Your Backyard? By Ken Taggart (Editor Muskies Canada)
March 25th, 2009

I bet you didn’t know that we have living dinosaur’s right here in Ottawa and the surrounding area. It’s true...

With a set of teeth that could rival a T-Rex, the mighty muskellunge, (esox masquinongy), that swim in our local waters are an apex predator that has remained virtually unchanged for millions of years. These fish can live to be 25 years old and reach up to 60” in length. This amazing fish has endured and remains today as one of the most sought after freshwater sport fish in North America.

We are very lucky to have naturally reproducing muskellunge in our local waterways. Unfortunately the general public has little knowledge of this fish and its history. They may see a story in the paper every once in a while about a large fish that an angler catches. People are often surprised and amazed that something that big is swimming in the local rivers. All too often these stories show the lucky angler holding the dead fish up in their driveway or backyard. Sometimes the angler will get the fish mounted by a taxidermist but it’s very expensive. Sadly the fish will often end up in the garbage or otherwise discarded sometimes even as fertilizer.

A fiberglass replica can be made of any fish and will last longer than a skin mount of the actual fish. All that is required is a few photos and an accurate measurement of the total length and girth of the fish. Releasing the fish helps to ensure the survival of the resource as it can spawn again and another lucky angler may get to catch it. Ask Ottawa’s Dale MacNair how it feels to let a giant muskie swim away. He was lucky enough to catch and release a giant 57” x 33” monster last year.

A case of mistaken identity... Sometimes people will catch a muskie and mistake it for a large northern pike not realizing it’s a muskie. It is very important that anglers know the difference between pike and muskellunge. Size limits are in place to ensure that muskellunge can reach maturity and spawn at around 5 – 7 years old. It is illegal to harvest a muskie smaller than the minimum size limit, which is 44” on the Rideau River, and 54” on the Ottawa River. Anglers are strongly encouraged to check the fishing regulations for the size limits on the water they are fishing. Muskellunge should not be eaten as the “Ontario Guide to Eating Sport Fish” recommends not keeping any muskellunge for consumption due to a buildup of toxins absorbed from smaller fish that they eat.

Dispelling some myths... Muskies are eating all the walleye... There have been reports of people killing muskellunge lately because they blame them for the declining walleye fishery. While a curious muskie may chase a walleye being reeled in by an angler out of interest, studies have shown that their preferred food is soft rayed forage such as suckers, perch, minnows and catfish. Hooks will rust out... Hooks really don’t rust out, even in saltwater. Please fish responsibly and use proper strength line and equipment to land a potential 40lb fish and avoid break-offs. Never allow a muskie to swallow a sucker or other live bait. Swallow rigs cause tears in the stomach tissue and internal organs leaving the fish to slowly die of infection. Always set the hook immediately if you are using live bait. Please do your part to help maintain the wild muskellunge population. Handle any muskellunge you catch carefully and practice Catch and Release.

Muskies Canada Inc. is a small non-profit group of conservation minded anglers. They have worked for 30 years to educate the angling public about muskellunge and the need to practice catch and release to help protect the resource. Muskies Canada members work with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to support research and stocking efforts to restore lost populations, and to preserve the existing wild muskellunge population. They are continuing their efforts to educate the public with “Know The Difference” signs, displayed at launch facilities and resorts, identifying the difference between Muskellunge and Northern Pike.

For more information about the wild muskellunge and Muskies Canada Inc. visit www.muskiescanada.ca.

[marc Thorpe]

well done Ken
Education is key

Be sure to read Big Jim's Just Fishing mag,a good article by Shaun about release

[troutnmuskiehunter]

Great report Ken!!

[Fishing 24/7]

thanx alot fot the great info its realy apreciated

[bigpikemike]

awesome!

[Out4trout]

Very nice article.
Was Dale MacNair's musky the one caught imn the Larry near Gananoque?
Perhaps you can also run a version of this article in the Recorder & Times - you can PM me if you want more info. Just change the Ottawa to the St.Lawrence...

[Joey Rat]

I had the good fortune to hook into a good sized musky this past summer and all I could think about was don't hurt the fish. She was released boat side and I was too excited to even remember to take a picture.

Dales fish was the big one caught on the Larry at the end of November.

I met Dale and his replica at the Toronto Sportsman Show. I had previously heard someone say that you had to see it to appreciate it and that was true.

Kudos to Dale for releasing a truly magnificent fish back where she belongs.

[Weekend Angler]

I am glad you folks liked the article. When you see the pictures that go with it you will undserstand the T-Rex reference. There is a picture of a preserved skull of a large Muskie with all the teeth in tact.

After you see this thing you will know why people get cut up handling them incorrectly. There are over 3000 teeth in the mouth of this fish, some over 1 1/2" long. This muskie was a 44" floater recovered last spring from the Rideau. It had died over the winter as a result of a local winterkill event. The cleithrum bone was removed and forwarded to Dr. Cassleman and the entire skull was preserved. It's very cool... I should have the full article posted on the Muskies Canada site soon so people can see the pictures.

I will contact the Recorder in Gan. I have a generic version for outside of Ottawa(insert local water... limits etc...) So far the Ottawa Sun and the Citizen have not returned my emails. I will keep trying...

If anyone knows of any other local papers that might run this please let me know. I would be glad to send it along.

It may be in the June issue of Just Fishing. That should reach a lot of fishing folks as well.

Ken

[Out4trout]

I will contact the Recorder in Gan. I have a generic version for outside of Ottawa(insert local water... limits etc...) So far the Ottawa Sun and the Citizen have not returned my emails. I will keep trying...

If anyone knows of any other local papers that might run this please let me know. I would be glad to send it along.

Ken

Ken
Recorder & Times is in Brockville... http://www.recorder.ca/feedback1/Contactdetailst.aspx
their distribution covers Gananoque as well...

O4T

[Chevy Champagne]

great read

[Weekend Angler]

Thanks Out4trout

I will contact them tomorrow.

Pictures are up for those interested. Pay close attention to the teeth lining the tongue and each of the gill rakers...

http://www.muskiescanada.ca/news.php?article_id=13

Ken

[Musky51]

Kenny, awesome article! Hope all is well with you
Jamie

[I-make-stink-bait]

That really is a great article.

I'm sure Darryl Cronzy will take issue with Muskie not being recommended for eating.

"Musky tastes great" - Darryl Cronzy