Muskellunge Stocking Strategies in Wisconsin: The First Century and Beyond

Abstract

After nearly a century of the propagation of muskellunge Esox masquinongy in Wisconsin, hatchery production is capable of meeting the stocking needs of management. Stocking of fertilized eggs, fry, fingerlings, or yearling muskellunge can each be used to develop a cost-effective stocking strategy if environmental conditions of a specific water body are known. Although low poststocking survival has been a problem for management, stocking still contributes to the sport fishery, however, future stocking strategies need to consider the effects of stocked muskellunge on natural stocks of muskellunge and other fishes.