Muskie stocking in Pokegama, good idea?

[hillbilly2thebone]

What does everyone think? Having fished this lake for over thirty years now, I'd like to say that I like the idea. I'm almost certain the forage base can support a great muskie population and I like the notion of not closing it to spearing as I've had a dark house on the lake for twenty years. Regardless I'll be at the meeting to get more info. The way I understand it is if 60% of the public is in favor they will go ahead with a stocking program. Just my opinion but I love the idea. One more outstanding muskie lake within ten minutes of home is perfect for making me a little more frustrated, that I just can't seem to figure out how to make living in my boat a reality.

On a side note, anyone notice the decimation of the crayfish population on the lake? You sure don't see anywhere near the numbers of crayfish along the shores as a person would have seen even five years ago. My guess would be the large numbers of smallies are having a dramatic effect. Dosen't hurt my feelings, as for now, cuz the smallmouth fishing is fantastic!

[gkl]

I've had a place on the lake for about five years now. I like the idea of stocking Muskies in the lake alot. I'm a multi-specie fisherman so the more the merrier! And since most of the best fishing lakes in the state have good populations of Muskies, I can't see how it would hurt anything. Hey Hillbilly, would you be willing to share some of your accumulated knowledge of the lake? I practice catch and release almost exclusively.

[Boedigheimer]

Well, I attended the public meeting on stocking Musky into Pokegama and found it very informative. All who attended were civil (no punches were thrown) and both sides seemed well represented. The Director of the local chapter of Muskies Inc. and the Director of the local Dark House Association were in attendance.

The argument FOR the stocking was that the popularity of musky fishing has skyrocketed while the local opportunities have been limited. Good musky lakes are few and far between. Pokegama seems like a perfect candidate.

The argument AGAINST the stocking seemed more complicated, ranging from muskies eat too many walleye, increased traffic on an already very busy lake, the possibilty of outlawing spearing (which Mr. Kavanaugh assures will not happen), and the fact that being part of the Mississippi, if muskies were able to reproduce and self-sustain than they would already be there.

I have to be honest and say that I am not an avid musky fisherman, and being a lakeshore owner on the lake I am not thrilled about more traffic, but after attending the meeting and giving it some serious thought, I have come to the conclusion that the lake IS for everyone and if you can't beat'em join'em. Its time I go down to Ben's and buy a bucktail rod.

Hillbilly, I have noticed that there are fewer crayfish than years past, and have you noticed the increase in weeds this year? It could be the early spring, or the boat traffic, but I was out with a couple of guys about two weeks ago and we could hardly fish, floating weeds everywhere, very frustrating. It has since cleared but man it sucked.

[PRO-V]

I don't like the idea of stocking muskie in Pokegama. I also believe that since it is connected to the river, if it was to be it already would have them. How about shoring up the lake trout population which has historically always been in the lake.

[bmc]

There's definitely plus's and minus's to it, but I'm for it. With the smelt forage base, I can see some big muskies coming from Pokeg in the future.

Brian

[Esoxmn]

"I also believe that since it is connected to the river, if it was to be it already would have them."

I have heard this alot. How many lakes do you think would have a fishable walleye or trout population if this would have been the thought when they started stocking?

[CANOPY SAM]

I was told that Pokegama already has a good population of muskie. Is this incorrect? The Mississippi reservoir does, so they must be in Poki as well.

I don't think there's any question that the lake could handle more big predator fish. It's big, deep, has numerous inlets and outlets, a great forage base, and a strong population of most game fish.

I love the idea. I'm all for it. I may be slightly biased though. I only live a couple minutes from the lake.

[PRO-V]

My point is I don't think you should mess with the natural species and balance of the lake. I also don't care for all the regulations that usually follow.

[AWH]

Quote:

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My point is I don't think you should mess with the natural species and balance of the lake. I also don't care for all the regulations that usually follow.

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Being part of the Mississippi, muskies are native to Pokegama and do already exist there, although in low numbers.

What regulations are you referring to that usually follow? It won't result in any regulations that don't already exist on the lake.

Aaron

[PRO-V]

Spearing of pike is usually eliminated.

[AWH]

Actually, spearing of pike is not eliminated on new musky waters. I know this is a concern and this may have been the case way back in the day, but it no longer occurs. The DNR's proposal for Pokegama makes it very clear that spearing of pike on Pokegama will not be banned. This is actually made very clear in any proposal for stocking new musky waters.

Aaron