musky dying like crazy,,,,,,why,,,?

[Relic]

Such Beautiful Beasts What a shame

CCB, I am sure everyone appreciates your effort and your input on this situation. Great to see everybody so dedicated and concerned about this matter.

Please keep us posted.

The muskie gods will reward you

[wolfe]

Thx for the informative update, CCB. Please keep us posted on anything you learn.

It's sad...

W.

[67stang]

Just a note, a friend of mine was fishin in the Gananoque area on the opening pike and walleye weekend and he said there was a big die off of walleye and sheeps head. They where floating all around the area they where fising. The MNR where around and did not know why this was happening.

[CCLad]

I have received some info from our friends to the south regarding the fish die off on the St. Lawrence, here is what they said:

"Hi ... The T.I. Biological Station on Governors Island has been rounding up the dead Muskie and sending them to a lab at Cornell. Cornell will be coming out with a report shortly. From first estimates, the belief is that the muskie are dying from a bacteria that has developed because of the quick jump in temps and the fact that the muskie are weakened because this is their spawning period. The story from Cornell should be out in the papers soon.

I hope this is helpful."


I'm sure I read something along these lines here in another post. I just thought I would share what ever I can find out. I also contacted CJOH news on the matter and they said the are going to further investigate. I did this simply to make sure all the details possible make it out to the public. He said he will pass me on any info he gets. I in turn will post it here for you.

Tim.

[BBRich]

I know nothing about the situation, but I know we experienced a smelt die off in the bay this year because of a sudden temperature increase. It gave the smelt sort of "mini heart attacks" - could the musky situation be related to the same thing?

Just a thought.

[CCLad]

I can't see it being the temperature alone. The St Lawrence has a good currant and is fed by lake Ontario. there's cold water for these fish to move into. Fear fully I think the theory of the temperature change causing a bacteria boom is likely the cause.

[steven]

like the carp in st-laurent in 2002,,only big one died,,they supposed that was a result of combinasion of virus and temperature....

[Davew]

Any further word on this ?
From what I have read this is a terrible thing to be happening.
Info would be appreciated.

[ganman]

Today it was front page news...top headline in the Gananoque Reporter newspaper. The article states that so far at least 60 have been found which does not include the number that are still out there floating, the ones that have sunk or eaten nor does it include the ones recovered in American waters. You get the impression the 60 figure is really low.

The first conclusions are that it is bacteria related perhaps brought about by the rapidly changing water temps. Another personal observation is the pike fishing down here has been brutally bad this spring.

[RJ]

This situation really shows us that no matter how we try to protect the fish.....stuff beyond our control is far more damaging than anything we could do......which is unfortunate...but nature....

RJ

[Spence Scout]

I was tlakin to a Muskie enthusiast and he said that most muskie die after you catch them anyway. I know all muskie hunters will deny this but does this have any truth. Im sure its quite possible. With the garbage and pollution in the water in that area it seems no surprise to me. then again im used to clear lakes and clean water... So could be off track but meh... Im sure its just a old age thing if I were to guess but its dissapointing to see fish like that floating and dead.

Spence

[g unis]

spence scout you are mistaken on most musky dying on capture. if handled correctly muskies as any other species are truly re-clyclable. some studies have stated from 6-30 percent mortality, factors varying, cpr, warm water etc.. with this said now you can see why people hate to lose trophies that may take up to 20 years to grow. a good read would be mike butlers international muskies, on biology

[Netman]

Hey spence,obviously u have never fished on the St. Lawrence river, or you would not have made the comment about garbage and pollution. I suggest u do a little research before posting a comment like that.

steve.

[Cancatchbass]

You beat me to it Ciba.

Obviously SS is not familiar with the St. Lawrence.

Just about as accurate as the all muskies die and old age comments...

CCB

[Spence Scout]

Steve & CCB I do research all the time, and the muskie dying comment I got from an older respected fisherman in the ottawa area. It could be amatter of opinion but i dont care when he talks i listn and respect what he has to say. Un like most people thses days

http://www.e-b-i.net/ebi/technoparc/tec ... eport.html

http://www.vsr.cape.com/~powens/riverhi ... nvironment