|
Muskie survey to begin at
Skinner Lake in mid-April
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A
survey on the number and size of muskies caught by anglers at
Skinner Lake in Noble County is set to begin in mid-April and will
run through October, according to the DNR Division of Fish and
Wildlife (DFW).
Although muskies, which are
large predatory sport fish that can grow up to 4 feet long, have
been stocked in the 125-acre natural lake since 1986, biologists say
current information is needed on the status of their population and
popularity among anglers.
"Each year we stock about 625
muskie fingerlings in Skinner Lake at a commercial value of $5,000,"
said Jed Pearson, DFW biologist. "We want to know how many anglers
fish for muskies at the lake and how many muskies are caught to
assess the program."
The most recent angler survey
at Skinner Lake was conducted in 1994. At that time, anglers fished
nearly 11,000 hours, 21 percent of which was directed at muskies.
"That's a pretty high level of
interest," Pearson said. "Although no legal-size muskies were taken
home that year, we estimated anglers caught and released 264 muskies.
Interest and catches back then were enough to justify the stocking
program."
Beginning April 15, DFW
personnel will be stationed at Skinner Lake to count the number of
anglers and examine their catch . The DFW personnel will also ask
about the species anglers fished for, whether they caught any
muskies, and how they rate fishing at the lake.
"Based on the fraction of
anglers interviewed by survey clerks, we can estimate total effort
and catch for each month," Pearson said. "The survey will tell us
whether interest in muskie fishing has increased, decreased or
stayed about the same since 1994."
Biologists will also set trap
nets in early April to help estimate the overall relative number and
size of muskies in the lake.
"We also plan to look at the
long-term impacts of the muskie stocking program on other fish in
the lake," Pearson said. "In May, we'll conduct an electro-fishing
survey to estimate the number and size of bass. Then in June, we'll
go back to conduct a follow-up survey to see if there have been any
changes in numbers or sizes of bluegills, crappies and other fish
species."
---------------------------
Media Contact:
Jed Pearson
fisheries biologist
(260) 244-6805
Marty Benson,
public information officer
(317) 233-3853
cell (317) 696-9812
--------------------------- |
Fishermen rarely give up their secrets, and Noble
County fishermen are no different. With 117 natural,
glacier-carved lakes, though, there’s plenty of room for everyone.
Free, publically-accessible lakes are scattered throughout the County
and the Lake List available through the Visitors Bureau will give you
information about each location, and the fish to be found in those
lakes. 
Watch for the brown “Public Access Site” signs along the road
and feel free to launch your boat, or fish from the shoreline. Check
with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (
