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Home , Chain pickerel, Muskellunge, Northern pike, Redfin pickerel, Tiger muskellunge, White sucker

Outlook for , , and Culture in Kentucky

Forrest Wynne, Aquaculture Extension Specialist , Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program, Graves County Cooperative Extension Service Office, 251 Housman Street, Mayfield, KY 42066-1165. Telephone: (270)247-2334 Fax: (270)247-5193 e mail: [email protected]

Introduction as a supplemental crop. Other surface and groundwater sources may also be In the and , appropriate. economically important "coolwater" game- include the largest members of the All members of the pike and pike families. The Pike family consume large numbers of as food. , includes the muskellunge ( Intentional or accidental introductions of masquinongy), northern pike (Esox lucius) these fishes into native or non-native waters and the chain pickerel (Esox niger). Tiger may destroy resident fish populations or muskellunge, a of the northern pike- interfere with current management muskellunge, are frequently stocked for programs. Contact the Kentucky sportfishing. Chain pickerel are considered Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to have little economic value by sportsmen or a Kentucky State University Aquaculture (Scott and Crossman 1973). However, Extension Specialist before stocking any of these fish and their hybrids may have value these fishes into private waters. as a predator in small southern impoundments. Distribution and Life History of the Coolwater fishes thrive at water Muskellunge temperatures which range between 64 to 77 degrees F (Kendall 1978). Generally, these Muskellunge inhabit the pools of temperatures are considered too warm to medium to large streams and in north allow the survival of coldwater fishes ( east, south east and south-central and ), and too cold to permit the Kentucky. Most of these populations are optimum growth of warmwater fishes maintained by stocking programs (Burr and ( and sunfish). In Kentucky, the Warren 1986). The species range is limited potential for coolwater fish production may to the freshwaters of eastern be limited for some species by warm (Scott and Crossman 1973). summer water temperatures (> 90o F). Spring-fed trout culture facilities could culture these fishes in water-warming ponds Muskellunge live and in lakes Female muskellunge, which are typically and rivers which have dense, aquatic or larger than males, mate with one or more flooded terrestrial vegetation. Spawning males. The fertilized are scattered occurs in spring when water temperatures into the vegetation. Mature female fish have risen between 49 and 59 degrees F. produce approximately 120,000 eggs. Frequently, only one third of the fertilized Muskellunge may be mistakenly eggs are viable after spawning. Hatching identified as northern pike. Northern pike occurs in 8 to 14 days at water have dark colored bodies with light temperatures which range between 53 and markings. may be 63 degrees F. Fry feed heavily on large difficult to identify from pure bred , while fingerlings 1.5 inches muskellunge (Hall 1986). long feed almost exclusively on fish.

Growth rates of muskellunge vary Culture of Muskellunge throughout their range. Fish growth depends on the availability of of Muskellunge broodstock can be adequate size and quantity. Muskellunge caught in spawning areas with trap nets, may grow 10 to 12 inches long during their pound nets, or preferably by electrofishing. first growing season. Female fish grow damage can be reduced when larger and faster, and live longer than broodstock are obtained by electrofishing. males. Females may weigh up to 70 lbs Sex is determined by examining the vent and live for approximately 20 years. Both region. Spawning can be induced by sexes mature at 3 to 5 years of age (Scott hormone injection. Prior to egg removal, and Crossman 1973). females are anesthetized and placed on an inclined fish holding rack. An inflatable Optimum water temperature for blood pressure cuff is used to express the muskellunge is close to 78 degrees F. This eggs into a pan. A catheter is used to species can withstand water temperature as check sperm motility in males before high as 90 degrees F and can tolerate low milting. One or two drops of sperm, concentrations of dissolved oxygen (Scott removed from two or three males, is diluted and Crossman 1973). in a saline solution and mixed with the eggs (Hall 1986). Muskellunge are ambush predators which dart out of cover to capture their prey. The eggs are incubated in hatching Perch, suckers, catfish, sunfish, and large jars. One to 2.5 quarts of eggs (30,800 - are often consumed (Scott and 67,700 eggs/quart) are incubated in each Crossman 1973). Northern pike, perch, jar. Water flow rates are adjusted to range black , and sunfish will prey between 0.5 and 2.5 gallons per minute. upon young muskellunge. Northern pike Small-sized gravel is placed in the bottom of spawn earlier than muskellunge and in the jars. This prevents the eggs from being similar locations. Pike may compete directly damaged by upwelling current during the with muskellunge for food, space and initial incubation stage. Optimum water spawning habitat. Early spawning, faster temperatures for egg incubation ranges growth, and early conversion to a fish diet between 48 and 55 degrees F. Eggs are may enable northern pike to dominate treated daily with diquat or formalin to muskellunge when the two species overlap control fungal growth. Shortly after hatching (Scott and Crossman 1973). Northern pike has begun, the eggs are placed in a appear to be more tolerant of cold water container where water temperatures have temperatures and seem to prefer lakes. been raised 10 to 12 degrees F. Muskellunge are more successful in Incubation time is reduced by increased environments. Muskellunge have light water temperature. Hatchlings are then colored bodies with dark markings (Hall transferred to vertical flow incubators 1986). (Stickney 1993).

The screens in the vertical flow fed daily to muskellunge at a ratio of 10:1. incubator trays (appropriate for the Forage fish must be in good health and of incubation of larger salmonid eggs) must be varied sizes for larger muskellunge. replaced with fine mesh screens (18 x 18 Muskellunge convert forage fish at a ratio of meshes per square inch). This prevents the 2.75 to 3.50 lbs of food for each 1.0 lb of loss of smaller muskellunge eggs. body weight gained. These fish may be Approximately 30,000 to 35,000 fry can be stocked as fry into a sport fishery, or at 12 reared in one incubation tray. Layers of inches long, at the end of the first growing artificial turf are placed in the incubation season (Hall 1986). basket to prevent the fry from suffocating. The basket cover must be tightly sealed to The ability to control hatchery water prevent egg loss. Debris should be temperatures and a sufficient supplies of removed from the tray baskets during the forage fish has limited muskellunge first 5 days of incubation. Fry are production. Growth rate is reduced but food transferred to a separate container while the conversion tends to improve, when trays are being cleaned. Incubator water muskellunge are reared in tanks. flow rates should range between 4 to 5 Commercial prices for muskellunge are gallons per minute. Fry are incubated for 6 approximately $0.75 per inch. The expense to 10 days at water temperatures of and availability of adequate forage fish will approximately 62 degrees F (Stickney probably limit muskellunge production to the 1993). sport fishery. Economical production of this species as a food-fish will likely depend on Muskellunge fry do not readily the development of a prepared diet (Hall accept artificial feed. Fry are typically 1986). stocked into fertilized ponds at 6 to 9 days of age. Water temperature at the time of stocking should be approximately 62 Distribution and Life History of the degrees F. Nursery ponds are filled with Northern Pike filtered water shortly before stocking to control the introduction of predators. In Northern pike have been stocked , alfalfa pellets have been used to into some Kentucky reservoirs; however, fertilize nursery ponds at 389 lbs/acre. Fry they have been caught infrequently (Burr should be stocked only when zooplankton and Warren, 1986). This species has a populations of appropriate size are circumpolar distribution in the northern available. Sudden decreases in pond hemisphere. Northern pike have been temperature may cause fry to stop feeding widely introduced throughout North America and starve; stocking should be planned as a sport fish and to control forage fish. accordingly. As many as 48,000 fry may be Northern pike live in a wide variety of stocked per acre foot of pond volume. To habitats. Pike are used as a predator prevent , , carp, species in Canada farm ponds, often to goldfish or fathead fry must be control populations. Northern pike available for 3/4 inch long muskellunge. may prey upon or compete for food with the However, muskellunge fry may choke on black basses, muskellunge and food organisms which are too large. Nine to (Scott and Crossman 1973). ten days after muskellunge begin feeding, newly hatched white sucker fry should be Spawning occurs in spring when hours over densely vegetated river water temperatures reach 40 to 52 degrees floodplains, marshes, and the bays of large F. Northern pike spawn during daylight lakes. One or more males fertilize the eggs of the larger female. The eggs are scattered nets. Knotless-nylon netting helps reduce over flooded terrestrial or aquatic injury to the fish. Incubation of pike eggs is vegetation. Individual females may produce similar to that of muskellunge eggs, but at an estimated 32,000 adhesive eggs. Eggs slightly lower water temperatures. Northern typically hatch in 12 to 14 days. Fry remain pike will accept specially prepared attached to vegetation by adhesive glands coolwater fish diets. This allows intensive located on the head. The yolk is absorbed culture in tanks and troughs. If feasible, after 6 to 10 days (Scott and Crossman intensive culture practices using prepared 1973). diets is more economical than traditional pond culture techniques. Fry are fed with Fry feed on zooplankton and aquatic automatic feeders at 3 to 5 minute intervals larvae. Fingerlings switch almost for 16 hours each day. Automatic feeders entirely to a fish diet when they reach 2 should distribute the food over 90% of the inches in length. Northern pike may reach 6 rearing unit's surface area. Intervals inches long by the end of their first summer. between feedings may be increased to 10 Adult pike feed opportunistically on any fish minutes when the fingerlings learn to accept or available. Optimum food size prepared food; and then increased to 15 ranges between one-third and one-half the minutes when pike are 4 inches long. pike's body length. It has been estimated Rearing units should be cleaned twice each that 5 to 6 lbs of food is required for each 1 day to remove excess food (Stickney 1993). lb of increase in a northern pike's body Baffles on the bottom of a tank or raceway weight (Scott and Crossman 1973). will increase water flow and direct food waste towards the drain. Swimming pool Growth is variable throughout the vacuums and siphons can be used to pike's range depending on locality, length of remove wastes (Kendall 1978). Suckers, growing season, availability of food, and goldfish and fathead minnows are good water temperature. Females grow larger forage fish for larger pike. Northern pike and live longer than males. Female grow rapidly and must be graded every northern pike grow faster than males in the three weeks to control cannibalism (Piper et southern portion of their range and may al. 1989). Pike are highly aggressive and reach 46 lbs. Pike mature between 2 to 6 cannibals should be removed if possible years of age depending on locality. Males (Stickney 1993). typically mature earlier than females (Scott and Crossman 1973). Northern pike may In Kentucky, warm summer water naturally hybridize with the muskellunge, temperatures may limit the potential for pike chain pickerel, (Esox culture in small ponds. Northern pike could americanus) and the grass pickerel (Esox be an alternative predator species for larger americanus vermiculatus). Typically, only ponds and lakes. In most instances, lack of the females of these hybrids are fertile adequate spawning habitat limits pike (Kendall 1978). reproduction (Lopinot 1992). Introduced populations of northern pike might adversely impact sport fisheries in Kentucky Culture of Northern Pike reservoirs.

Northern pike broodfish can be Culture of Tiger Muskellunge captured with trap nets, pound nets, or fyke The northern pike x muskellunge parent species. This hybrid demonstrates hybrid, called the "tiger muskellunge," is hybrid vigor in growth, body proportions, considered an improved sportfish over the and activity (Scott and Crossman 1973). Most commonly, the tiger muskellunge is a cross between the northern pike male - Distribution and Life History of the muskellunge female (original cross); Chain Pickerel however, the availability of broodfish often determines the breeding strategy. The The chain pickerel typically inhabit muskellunge female is larger than the slow moving streams and densely northern pike and produces more eggs of vegetated lakes. Their distribution is greater individual size. The larger eggs are confined to eastern and south-central North thought to produce larger fry which may America (Scott and Crossman 1973). The have greater survival (Hall 1986). species is limited primarily to the Mississippi embayment of west Kentucky (Burr and Egg incubation and fry feeding Warren 1986). techniques are similar to those for the parent species. Fry are fed artificial diets or Chain pickerel spawn in spring when brine or ferry shrimp. Artificial feed is water temperatures reach 47 to 52 degrees introduced with automatic feeders at F. Spawning usually occurs during daytime frequent intervals. Constant-flow formalin over flooded vegetation at depths of 3 to 10 treatments may be used in raceways, tanks feet. The adhesive eggs are scattered over and troughs to control gill fungus. Typically, the vegetation and fertilized by one or two 60 to 65% of the fry will survive to the males. Mature females may contain over fingerling stage (Hall 1986). 8,000 eggs. The eggs hatch in 6 to 12 days. Pickerel fry attach to the vegetation Fingerlings which are 30 days old by an adhesive gland located on the snout. and 3 to 5 inches long, can be reared After the yolk is absorbed, the fry feed on indoors at low densities. Advanced invertebrates and larval fish. Young of the fingerlings, 30 to 60 days old and 8 to 12 year pickerel may reach 4 to 5 inches in inches long, are reared in outdoor length. At this size, the diet of fingerlings raceways. Survival of tiger muskellunge will change almost exclusively to fish and fingerlings may be as high as 80 to 90%. large invertebrates. Female fish grow faster Food conversion ratios may be as low as and larger than males. Females also 1.5 to 2.0 : 1 for all juvenile stages. Cost mature sooner and live longer than males. estimates to produce 1 lb of fish cultured Chain pickerel may weigh up to 9 lbs and (98 days) on live versus prepared food were may live for 3 to 9 years (Scott and $16.62 and $1.52, respectively (Hall 1986). Crossman 1973). Pickerel are opportunistic carnivores which ambush their prey. Prey include Warm water temperatures during sunfish, catfish, minnows and other summer would likely limit Tiger muskellunge pickerel. Chain pickerel often inhabit ponds culture in Kentucky. Boodstock acquisition, with a maximum depth of less than 10 feet and the expense of eggs or fingerlings may and feed actively throughout the year. further limit current production. Tiger Summer water temperatures of 70 to 86 muskellunge could potentially interfere with degrees F are preferred; however, pickerel muskellunge stocking programs located in can survive water temperatures as warm as northeast, southeast and south-central 98 degrees F. Additionally, pickerel can regions of Kentucky. Nevertheless, of the tolerate pH as low as 3.8 (Scott and large esocids, the tiger muskellunge may be Crossman 1973). best suited for commercial food-fish production.

Pickerel will naturally hybridize Piper, R. G., I. B. McElwain, L. E. Orme, J. P. where species overlap. Hybrids of the McCraren, L. G. Fowler and J. R. Leonard, chain pickerel x grass or redfin pickerel are 1989. Fish Hatchery Management. United fertile. These hybrids may provide a good States Department of the Interior Fish and intermediate-size predator for farm ponds. Wildlife Service, D.C.

The hybrids of the northern pike male x Scott, W. B. and E. J. Crossman, 1973. grass pickerel female have demonstrated Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fisheries high survival. This hybrid is sterile and may Research Board of Canada, Ottawa. Bulletin have the potential for stock-out in waters 184. where strict control of predator fish is desired. Progeny from the chain pickerel x Stickney, R. R. 1993. Advances in Fisheries northern pike offer no improvement over the Science: Culture of Nonsalmonid Freshwater parent species (Kendall 1978). Fishes. Second Edition. CRC Press, INC.

Unfortunately, literature regarding the culture of the chain pickerel appears to be limited. Its potential as a culture species or as a food-fish has not been explored. The chain pickerel and its hybrids may possess desirable sportfish potential for Kentucky's small lakes and ponds. Pickerel would be able to tolerate the extremes of water temperatures which occur throughout the year in Kentucky's small impoundments. Pickerel offer productive throughout the year. Tolerance of low pH may allow pickerel to inhabit ponds where acid waters can not be easily treated.

REFERENCES

Burr, B. M. and M. L. Warren, Jr. 1986. A Distributional Atlas of Kentucky Fishes. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission Scientific and Technical Series Number 4.

Hall, G. E. Editor, 1986. Managing Muskies: A Treatise on the Biology and Propagation of Muskellunge in North America. American Fisheries Society Special Publication No. 15.

Kendall, R. L. Editor, 1978. Selected Coolwater Fishes of North America. American Fisheries Society Special Publication No. 11.

Lopinot, A. 1992. Pike in Farm Ponds. Farm Pond Harvest. Volume 26, Number 4, pages 20- 21.