DNR to drop muskie stocking

[Lee Borgersen]

DNR proposes to drop hybrid muskie stocking on 5 west metro lakes

April 22, 2013

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct a public open house to discuss and take comments on its proposal to suspend hybrid (tiger) muskellunge stocking on five lakes in Carver County and Hennepin County.
The meeting is May 2, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the DNR west metro fisheries office, 7050 County Road 101 East, Suite 100, Shakopee.

These lakes are: Eagle, Pierson, and Wasserman in Carver County; and Bush and Weaver in Hennepin County.

The proposal stems from a 2006 evaluation of the tiger muskie program to determine if lakes being stocked with the hybrid species were meeting goals. Due to a lack of appropriate habitat and forage to sustain viable populations of tiger muskies, as well as limited angling pressure and fish cost and availability, fisheries staff recommended dropping tiger muskie stocking on these five lakes. Four other lakes in the west metro fisheries area will continue to be managed for this hybrid. One lake (Lake of the Isles) will be managed for pure-strain muskellunge.

Tiger muskies, a cross between female muskellunge and male northern pike, were first stocked in Minnesota lakes in 1983 to provide anglers with an opportunity to land a large fish that was relatively easy to catch. Tiger muskies also grow faster than northerns or pure strain muskellunge.

Those unable to attend the meeting may direct written comments until 4:30 p.m., June 3, to DNR west metro fisheries, 7050 County Road 101 East, Suite 100, Shakopee, MN 55379.

Comments may be delivered by email to daryl.ellison@state.mn.us or by calling
952-496-4141, ext. 222.

[beeker]

they should also quit stocking any lake that tribal netting occurs on until the tribes agree to be regulated

[Lee Borgersen]

they should also quit stocking any lake that tribal netting occurs on until the tribes agree to be regulated

You have a very valid point there. However the ramifications would be devastating for the local businesses and surrounding communities. While the natives would just focus on another lake to destroy.