LAKE SCUGOG
MUSKELLUNGE TAGGING STUDY
PURPOSE:
-
To quantify the likelihood of re-capture for muskies
that are caught and released using conventional fishing strategies (and
over what time frame).
-
To approximate the potential impact of delayed
mortality on muskies during catch & release and with different release
methods.
-
To identify growth rates in the muskellunge
population in Lake Scugog.
-
To identify population statistics and size
distribution of existing population.
-
To identify seasonal movements and home ranges
for specific muskies.
METHODOLOGY:
Muskies will be caught from Lake Scugog using
conventional casting and trolling techniques,
commencing in the 2000 angling season.
Muskies may also be caught in trap nets set in the
Osler Marsh by M.N.R. personnel (to coincide
with annual spawning runs).
A P.I.T. tag, injector syringe, and a dime for scale.
A 42" muskie is scanned for a P.I.T. tag.
A 39" muskie is "injected" with a P.I.T. tag.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE:
If you catch a muskie in Lake
Scugog, please check for tags.
PIT tags will be found in the
left cheek of the muskie, and can only be verified
with a special scanning wand,
or by killing the fish. (Please don't
kill the fish
just to check for a tag!)
Older style M.N.R. flat plastic
tags (yellow or white) may be found in the back of
larger fish in front of the
dorsal fin. These will likely be covered in a ball of algae and
weeds. Gently clean this
off, and record the tag number... but please
DON'T remove the tag!
Beginning in 2001, some muskies
may have a yellow Floys (also called spaghetti, garment
or "T") tag in the back portion
of the dorsal fin. These tags will have each have a unique
number... but
please DON'T remove the tag!
ALSO, it is possible that
some muskies could have one of each kind of tag.
Old. M.N.R. Tag here
Floys Tag here
PIT Tag here
Record the tag number, length
and girth of fish, date, time, and location of capture.
If the muskie is kept, please
return any tags (with cleithra bone if possible) to the
address shown below:
strike.zone@sympatico.ca
OR
403-19 Regency Crescent, Whitby
Ontario L1N 8M6
OR
you may leave a detailed phone
message at: 905-665-0637
(Please talk slowly, and remember
to leave your phone number and name)
RESULTS:
NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT TO DATE:
498
NUMBER
OF FISH TAGGED TO DATE:
458
NUMBER
OF MUSKIES RE-CAPTURED 2 TIMES TO DATE:
32 *
NUMBER OF MUSKIES RE-CAPTURED 3 TIMES TO DATE:
3
MAXIMUM NUMBER
OF CAPTURES FOR ANY ONE FISH
3
*
INCLUDES 1 muskie re-captured carrying an M.N.R. tag
Scale samples from 60 muskies
were also submitted to the M.N.R. Genetics Program in 2000.
Last updated January 4, 2004
PROJECT PARTNERS:
The following partners have been
involved with the planning, administration,
or provided financial assistance
with this project:
The Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources, Muskies Canada Sport Fishing and
Research Inc., and The Kawartha
Fisheries Association. This project
is funded by C.F.W.I.P. (Community
Fisheries & Wildlife Involvement Program)!
Special thanks to Mark Ridgway
and Helen Ball at the Ontario M.N.R. for your support
and training, to Peter Lindsay
(K.F.A.) and Ian Smith / Marc Thorpe (Muskies Canada)
for your support, to George
Taylor, Davis Battah, and Doug Strong, the "tagging team".
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