WHY RELEASE MUSKIES?

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The decision of whether to release or to keep a legal-size muskie is entirely up to the angler, but keep in mind that the success of muskie fishing is no longer measured by the number of fish caught and killed. The truly successful muskie angler is the one who lands and releases, alive, the trophy fish that has been so avidly pursued. Voluntary catch and release along with the higher minimum legal size limits have dramatically improved the muskie fishery in the last couple of decades. Members of Muskies, Inc. have espoused the "catch and release" ethic since 1970 and today we are experiencing the best muskie fishing ever. Anglers are catching and releasing more and larger fish than ever before. Statistics prove that catch and release works. The following data was obtained from Muskies, Inc. From 1970 through 1986 Muskies, Inc. members reported releasing 27,300 muskies of which 186 were over 50 inches in length. As of this writing, Muskies, Inc. members have reported releasing 189,150 muskies with 2,585 fish being greater than 50 inches in length. Is it possible to improve on this trend? That will depend to a large extent on how well muskies survive after being released. Our experience has shown that survival rates can be high if the fish to be released are handled carefully.

The following tips on releasing muskies are taken from a brochure published by Muskies, Inc. Preparation for the release is the key to a successful release. The proper tools must be available and ready in your boat before heading out onto the water. The tolls needed are a long nosed pliers, a small bolt cutter, a "hook-out", a jaw spreader, a large landing net or cradle, a floating ruler and a camera. While landing the muskie maintain a constant tension on the line while reeling the fish in while keeping the rod tip down to prevent the fish from jumping and possibly throwing the lure or bait. Play the fish to the point of submission..... NOT TO A STATE OF EXHAUSTION!. A green muskie (a fish that has not been played out) can be extremely dangerous if landed too soon. Lead your fish into the landing net or cradle head first. Leave the fish in the water, where it's body is supported by the water. Remove the hooks while the fish is still in the net. Use the small bolt cutter to cut any hooks that cannot be easily removed. As a rule this hook removal process should be completed within about 15 seconds. Once the lure and hooks are free and have been placed out of the way, the fish can be lifted from the net or cradle for a quick picture. It is preferable to take photos of the fish while the fish is held horizontally. Lifting the fish from the water should NEVER be done by placing the finger and thumb in the fish's eye sockets or by squeezing the fish's gills. The proper method is to use a tool such as Berkley's Lip Grip or by placing your fingers BETWEEN the gill plate and the gills and sliding your index and middle fingers forward to where the gill plate and gills attach to the cartilage. Press your thumb against the lower jaw and lift the fish gently and firmly. Be alert to the possibility of the fish shaking vigorously so as not to drop the fish. It is important to support the fish with your free hand under the fish's belly in order to balance the weight of the fish between your two hands. Measuring the fish can be easily accomplished with a floating ruler when the fish is placed back in the water. A vinyl measuring tape applied to the side of your boat just above the water line is also a convenient way to measure your fish. Get a measurement of the fish's girth before releasing the fish. The combination of length and girth will give an estimate of the fish's actual weight. (Girth x Girth x length divided by 800 will be the approximate weight of the fish.) If necessary, a live well is a good option for holding your fish while you get the camera ready or position your boat for the best sun angle. Be sure the live well is full and pumping fresh water. If you are content with just a release photo then do a water release. This method places the least amount of stress on the fish. All hook removal and measuring is done with the fish in the landing net or cradle in the water and the fish's body supported by the water. Practice this method of release on smaller fish before attempting to release a large fish. When you are ready to release the fish firmly grasp the fish's tail with one hand, slide the net away, and with the other hand support the fish's belly. Keep the fish in an upright position and gently move the fish forward and backward in the water to create a flow of water through the fish's gills. This facilitates the fish's breathing. You'll begin to feel the fish regaining it's strength. It will soon be able to maintain itself in an upright position and will soon swim off under its own power. Take note of where your boat was when the fish was caught and the location of the boat when you are ready to release the fish. Your boat may have drifted a considerable distance while you landed the fish, removed the hooks and photographed it. Never release a muskie over deep water, as an exhausted or stressed fish is sometimes unable to the pressure exerted by deep water.

Opponents of catch and release fishing argue that by releasing muskies we allow those fish to return to the fishery only to eat all of the smaller fish, including walleyes. With the majority of anglers searching for pan fish and walleyes one can understand their concerns. In rebuttal, a study was conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with the support of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The study examined the stomach contents of 1,092 muskies which were taken from 34 Wisconsin lakes. The study determined that the preferred forage base for these muskies was a mixture of soft-finned species such as suckers, shiners, chubs, ciscoes, bullheads and perch. Walleyes constituted less than 1 per cent of the stomach contents and bass accounted for 3 per cent.

If you are still undecided, consider the financial impact of releasing large muskies. Studies by the Wisconsin D.N.R. show that a 40-pound muskie may contain as many as 225,000 eggs at spawning time. By allowing these large muskies to reproduce means the continuation of genetic strains with the proven ability to attain large size. Another study done by the DNR on Wisconsin's Lac Court Oreilles showed that for every 1,000 muskies stocked only 109 reached 30 inches in length. Only 36 lived to reach 40 inches, and only 6-8 fish survived to reach the magic 50-inch length. Muskies, Inc. maintains that it takes 500 stocked muskies (10 inches long) to replace one muskie that is caught and killed. With the cost of a 10-inch stocked muskie being $5.90 the cost to replace a 50 inch muskie is about $2,950.

Need more reasons to practice catch and release fishing not only on muskies but on walleyes and bass, too? Consider this........Fish grow slowly in Northern Wisconsin. A 25-inch walleye is around 11 years old, an 18-inch bass is 10 years old and a 50-inch muskie is 20 years old. Releasing all of these incredible specimens promotes and insures a continuing quality fishery. There are alternatives for the angler that wants his trophy displayed on the wall. With good photos of your trophy plus length and girth measurements graphite replicas can be crafted that will match your trophy to a tee. Replicas are much less susceptible to fading, discoloration, and cracking that affects skin mounts. Many taxidermists offer a lifetime guarantee on replicas and charge the same fee as for a skin mount.

By releasing a big fish you have provided the chance for your child, grandchild ar best friend to also experience the thrill that you had. Once you experience the positive emotions associated with the release of a trophy fish you, too, will be hooked.

Remember, the future of fishing is in your hands!!

Al Schroeder
715 479-1354

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