Cold water angling injuries and the survival of caught and released muskellunge.

[Tony Scime]

These are the questions I need some answers to at tonight’s meeting, and which, along with other possible issues, will sway my vote:

1. Are a muskie’s immune systems and ability to heal injuries significantly compromised by cold water temperatures.

2. If so, if a muskie is injured during a cold water angling event - hook impalement, net abrasions, slime removal, fin splitting - is there reason to be legitimately concerned about that muskie’s ability to heal and survive long-term.

I may couch a question by comparing a muskie caught in warm water vs cold water and sustaining similar injuries. Given effective catch and release techniques, which fish is more likely to survive the injuries incurred by the angling event?

I know that there are hundreds of studies by fisheries scientists around the world addressing immunity and healing concerns for different types of fish in different types of environments. The pure number of such studies, all of which appear to accept the scientific concept that cold water temperatures severely suppress a fish’s immune systems and healing processes, suggests that these are issues of legitimate concern. None of these studies, however, concern muskies, and I haven’t found any which involve angling injuries sustained in cold water.

Although I’ve reviewed the studies I am not confident in by ability or qualification to adequately understand them. So I need guidance.

When I sought such guidance on my recent ill-advised foray into another web-site I was quickly shot-down by the likes of Larry Ramsell who advised me that it was all common-sense. Larry believes that because infectious diseases are not active in cold water, that it is a non-issue. I’m not really satisfied with Ramsell’s common-sense approach because it is inconsistent with studies which show that although a disease may not be active in cold water, neither is a fish’s immune and healing systems. They both become more active as the water warms - which provides a window of opportunity for infections to set in before the fish is able to heal.

I learned in my youth not to be afraid of asking questions which some might say are stupid or to which the answers are obvious. And I’ve never been afraid of looking stupid in the quest for knowledge. You might find that the so-called establishment is wrong. So never be afraid to question everything.

And if the answer to my query is that there is little risk (not no risk) of a muskie dying due to inadvertent injuries caused by cold water angling, I’ll be able to conscientiously support an extension. Otherwise, I will continue to struggle.

[Mike "the facilities" Fortunate]

John you are admitting that the "most commonly fished area" is being over fished after our closing date! That is what your saying! If you feel that the pressure is too high in that area dont fish it, but why expand that pressure riverwide? I know it wont happen immediately but eventually there will be another spot found like the triangle! And then the pressure will be there! Its EXACTLY like YOU said at the meeting that "opening week/month is the worst for out fishery and the dec most likely wont delay season open so just dont fish it and be responsible anglers! " (not exact word but close) apply that same concept to the area your referencing! Im not saying that late season fishing harms the fish more but dont know exactly, im just implying your theory.

[Josh Ketry]

I believe our fishery is on a path to renewed greatness again. There are not too many bodies of water where you can have consistant multiple fish days for most of the year. Whatever we decide to do must align with sustaining this path. The question is how to we get to the result we want to see without taking the fun or potential out it by knee jerk regulatory action. What is Kevin Kapuscinski's recommendation?

[Tony Scime]

I don't think that Kevin has voiced an opinion, but has deferred to the DEC biologists. From what was said last night, his boss (Farrel) believes that the entire Great Lakes season should close November 30.