WISCONSIN STUDY SHOWS MUSKIES HAVE OVER-CONSUMED AND HARMED BUTTERNUT LAKE

In a study titled, Fishery Management Plan Butternut Lake, Price County, Wisconsin, July 2005 the Wisconsin DNR concluded muskies in Butternut Lake have eaten so much of their preferred prey that the muskies in the lake are stunted in size. The DNR study has recommended to:

   Exempt muskellunge from. the statewide minimum length limit of 34" and implement a voluntary 40-45" protected length range for muskellunge. Mechanically remove 500 adult muskellunge under 38" in the near future. Encourage some angler harvest of muskellunge less than 40" long. . . .

The study further went on to say:

   Regardless of uncertainty regarding mechanisms, biologists agree that unsatisfactory size structure of the walleye population is likely the result of complex community interactions. If our knowledge and hunches about these interactions are correct, a reduction in adult walleye harvest combined with a reduction in adult muskellunge density will be necessary to achieve walleye population objectives.

This 2005 Wisconsin DNR study by senior, fisheries biologist Thomas "Skip" Sommerfeldt and Jeff Scheirer

involving Butternut Lake concludes:

1) A reduction of existing "muskellunge densities will be necessary to achieve walleye population objectives"

2) The Muskellunge in Butternut Lake began getting smaller because there was "no longer available

sufficient numbers of preferred prey," The muskies literally ate themselves out of food.

4) Stocking of Muskies on Butternut Lake should be stopped. .

5) The DNR should "(mechanically) remove 500 adult muskellunge under 3 8 inches long in the near

future."

6) The DNR should "encourage some angler harvest of muskellunge less than 40 inches long. "

Below is the full report...