WISCONSIN DNR FISHERIES INFORMATION SHEET

LAKE: MUSKELLUNGE COUNTY: VILAS YEAR: 2019

The Department of Natural Resources surveyed Muskellunge Lake, Vilas County, from April 25 through April 28. The primary objective was to assess the status of the adult Walleye population. Muskellunge Lake is a drainage lake with predominately sand and muck substrates. It has a surface area of 272 acres, 3.6 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 19 feet. Muskellunge Lake's Walleye and Muskellunge populations are maintained through stocking.

Walleye Adult Walleye Population Distribution 50 During three days of fyke netting, 229 adult Walleye were

40 captured and marked with a fin clip. A crew then sampled with an electrofishing boat and captured 31 adult Walleye. 30 During electrofishing 81% (25 of 31) of captured Walleye bore the fin clip given during fyke netting. Based on those 20 Number results, Muskellunge Lake was estimated to contain 287 10 adult Walleye (1.1/acre).

0 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 An estimated 89% of adult Walleye were 15 inches or Length (Inches) longer. The largest Walleye we captured was a 29.2-inch

* Note: Adult Walleye are defined as all sexable Walleye (regardless of length) female. and those of unknown sex > 15 inches in length.

Adult Northern Pike Length Distribution Northern Pike 30

24

During our survey of Muskellunge Lake we captured 185 18 adult Northern Pike. Of those, 6% were greater than 26 12 inches long, and the largest was a 28.7-inch female. Number 6

0 9 13 17 21 25 29 33 Length (Inches)

* Note: Adult Northern Pike are defined as all sexable Northern Pike and those of unknown sex > 12 inches in length.

Adult Largemouth Bass Length Distribution Largemouth Bass

12 Largemouth Bass were not a primary target during our survey of Muskellunge Lake. Sampling occurred prior to 9 peak Largemouth spawning. We captured 49 Largemouth Bass eight inches or larger; 63% were 14 inches or longer, 6 and the largest was 18.7 inches. We captured no

Number Smallmouth Bass during our survey. 3

0 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 Length (Inches)

Drafted: June 2019 By: Lawrence Eslinger Muskellunge Adult Muskellunge Length Distribution 3

We did not specifically target Muskellunge during our survey of Muskellunge Lake. However, five adult 2 Muskellunge were captured during our sampling efforts. Of those, two of five (40%) were 40 inches or longer, Number with the largest being a 42.2-inch female. 1

0 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 Length (Inches)

* Note: Adult Muskellunge are defined as all sexable Muskellunge and those of unknown sex > 30 inches lin length.

Other Species

In addition to the gamefish mentioned above, nine species of fish were captured during fyke netting and electrofishing sampling of Muskellunge Lake. Yellow Perch, Bluegill, and Black Crappie were common in our fyke net catches. Other species captured included: Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker, Golden Shiner, and Creek Chub.

Table 1. General Fishing Regulations for Muskellunge Lake, Vilas County, 2019-20. FISH SPECIES OPEN SEASON DAILY LIMIT MINIMUM LENGTH 15" min. length, 20-24" no harvest Walleye May 4 - March 1 3 slot, 1 fish over 24" allowed 5 in total with Largemouth Bass May 4 - March 1 14 inches SMB 5 in total with May 4 - June 14 (C&R) Smallmouth Bass LMB; harvest 14 inches June 15 - March 1 (Harvest) season only Muskellunge May 25 - Nov. 30 1 40 inches Northern Pike May 4 - March 1 5 None

A brief summary of selected fishing regulations for Muskellunge Lake is included above (Table 1). While the regulatory information provided was current at the time the surveys were conducted, it is not comprehensive and should not be used as a substitute for the current fishing regulation pamphlet. You may obtain a copy of current fishing regulations when you purchase your fishing license, or download a copy from our web site at:

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/regulations/

This spring survey report is available at: For answers to questions about fisheries http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/north/trtysprngsrvys.html. management activities and plans for Muskellunge Lake, Vilas County, contact: For questions, contact: Eric Wegleitner, Fisheries Biologist Lawrence Eslinger, Treaty Fisheries Biologist Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 8770 Highway J 8770 Highway J Woodruff, WI 54568 Woodruff, WI 54568 (715) 356-5211 Ext. 246 (715) 356-5211 Ext. 209 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Drafted: June 2019 By: Lawrence Eslinger