Tiger Muskie question

[InTheWind]

There's a lake in my area that was stocked with tiger muskies, a hybrid, in the early 1980's. The lake is Big Blue Lake, just north of Muskegon (by the 'pinkie'). A friend of the family caught one in '85 and it measured 48". I keep pretty good tabs on the place and have no knowledge of the seamonsters carcasses washing up anywhere. So, here is my question(s): How big would these things be, now and would they still be around. The lake is fed by a spring-fed creek and has one small creek outlet that hooks into the White River. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanx!
Squig

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"Live the code."-Fred Bear

[Phil Lay]

Based on my knowledge of Tiger Muskies in Hamlin Lake, if there was only one planting it's likely there are no survivors. I don't know how long an individual Tiger Musky can live but probably not much beyond ten years. Since they are non-reproductive, continual plantings are necessary to provide a steady fishery. The DNR told us Tiger Muskies have a low survival rate...planting size is about 5" to 10", just a nice mouthful for another musky or northern pike.

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Phil Lay

[This message has been edited by Phil Lay (edited 01-15-2001).]

[SAK]

Some of the tiger muskies could have gotten out into other lakes if there are inlets and outlets as you mentioned.

[kroppe]

My understanding is that the DNR's tiger muskie stocking program hasn't been too successful. I lived in Alpena on Grand Lake and a lot of tigers were stocked there, but a fishery didn't develop. I have read the same thing about other lakes and years, that tiger muskies haven't developed into a good fishery.

I think they are a sterile hybrid, meaning they can't reproduce. My understanding is that they are stocked to get rid of unwanted/stunted/overpopulated species. The theory is, since they can't reproduce, they won't/can't empty a lake of all fish due to natural mortality of the tigers.

[Hamilton Reef]

We have two local experiences in Muskegon County with this topic of tiger musky.

Several years ago Mona Lake on the south side of Muskegon was a part of the tiger musky program. The lake had a very large population of carp, gizzard shad, and suckers. Water quality had some problems from the Muskegon County wastewater system, but the lake was in the process of cleanup. The lake was a sleeper, ripe for a fishery project. The DNR made the right decision at the time to put in some tiger musky.

The local fishermen let the young tiger musky grow from lack of publicity and the fact we only had pike and bass fishermen with no experience with any musky. The tiger musky grew very well and the riparians around the lake noticed a marked improvement in the control of carp and forage fish. When the pike and bass fisherman finally discovered the tiger musky, they were delighted and scared. In those years they only knew that those down south Detroit area musky guys would drive anywhere to find a musky. It is important to remember that this was before the Lake St. Clair musky fishery developed.

Now the problem. The new local musky fishers finally had a first time musky fishery to protect and they kept quiet. The DNR had a new tiger musky fishery they needed to justify for cost etc.. Does lack of fishing success reports equal to failure of the program? Not really, except on paper for fish science and budgets. The biologist asked for support and unfairly got the silent treatment from the inexperienced locals. The tiger musky program has since passed on with some lessons learned, even though there were some large fish taken.

This local situation with the tiger musky also occurred on Big Blue Lake in norhthern Muskegon County. Big Blue Lake is still a good lake for a inland Northern Musky program to replace the former tiger musky. This time, however, the locals are better organized as musky fishermen to help the DNR as partners to an improved musky program.

The Muskegon Lake, White Lake, and Mona Lake are now available for the Great Lakes Spotted Musky as native species reintroduction with their river and drowned-river mouths to Lake Michigan along with the huge diverse forage base. The impoundments on the Muskegon River could also be used for the confinement of brood stock while maintaining the riverine habitat needs and native species goals. There is now money for the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly coming online that could help finance these projects.

The lessons learned in Muskegon County are important. We have no musky fishing opportunities in West Michigan at this time, but we still have the resources for excellent programs near population centers, both for the Northern Musky and the Great Lakes Spotted Musky. This time, however, we have local organized clubs that will partner with the DNR and the Michigan Musky Hunters Club to help with the grants, implement the programs, and this time give proper accounting to evaluate the musky programs.

[Big Al]

Hamilton Reef

The statement you made about there being no Musky fishing opportunities in West Michigan is not entirely correct. Gun Lake and Thornapple Lake (both in Barry County) both contain Muskies and fish are caught from them every year. How good the fisheries are I don't know right off hand, but they are there. Big Al

[gomer]

murry lake in kent county has a very good population of muskies also

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keep those lines tight all

later

[Big Al]

I forgot that Campbell lake in Kent county is also stocked with Muskies. Big Al

[InTheWind]

This is why I LOVE this site!! A wealth of information. Thanks, fellas. Yes, the tiger is a non-reproducing hybrid. I guess I was curious about life expectancy. It's very unlikely that there is a 15 or 20 year old sea monster living in a lake of it's size. One can dream, can't he?
Squig

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"Live the code."-Fred Bear

[Hamilton Reef]

Big Al, You are correct and we are aware of the lakes you mentioned. I was thinking of West Michigan for us as Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, and Mason Counties. That's as far as we can afford to drive from Muskegon County north and south on the US-31 freeway.