The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is preparing to start the second year of an annual survey to track Lake St. Clair's muskellunge population. The survey focuses on juvenile muskellunge populations to determine what the future of the fishery might look like.
Lake St. Clair is one of the most popular muskellunge fisheries in the state, with anglers targeting this species there for more than 100 years. Part of the lake's success stems from ideal habitat that features clean water, abundant aquatic plants and lots of forage fish.
The lake's muskellunge population has grown over the past 40 years due to an increase in aquatic plants, effective fishing regulations and the expanding popularity of catch-and-release fishing. This survey, conducted every fall in the shallow waters of northern Lake St. Clair, relies on an electrofishing boat to stun young-of-year muskellunge so they can be counted and examined.
This year's survey will be conducted the week of Oct. 31. Anglers and boaters on Lake St. Clair should keep a safe distance from the electrofishing boat if they see it while on the water.
"One way we can assess population status is to examine spawning success and survival of young fish," said Todd Wills, manager of the DNR's Lake St. Clair Fisheries Research Station. "Poor reproduction could indicate a problem with the health of the muskie population and its habitat, which our fisheries managers would then try to address."
The muskellunge that are stunned are measured and weighed and diet samples are collected to determine what, and how much, they eat. The young muskellunge then are returned to the water unharmed. Last year's survey – in which 34 young-of-year muskellunge ranging in size from 7 to 13 inches were captured – had diets mainly consisting of round gobies, gizzard shad and pumpkinseed sunfish.
The survey is coordinated by the Lake St. Clair Fisheries Research Station. Information collected is shared with the DNR's Lake Erie Management Unit, which is responsible for managing the lake's fishery. Additionally, DNR creel clerks are stationed on the St. Clair-Detroit River System – including Lake St. Clair – and they provide current information on how many muskellunge are caught and harvested by anglers.
For more information on muskellunge in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/muskie.
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