NYS DEC Chautauqua Musky Outreach Meeting

[Scott McKee]

From James Markham, Region 9 Fisheries Manager:

NYSDEC is having a Chautauqua Lake Muskie Outreach Meeting on May 23^rd at 6:30 at the Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association in Celoron, NY.  This is a going to be an open dialog with Region 9 Fisheries staff on status of the muskie population and fishery in the lake, a chance to learn what we are doing for management now and plans for the future. For additional information, please contact Region 9 Fish Manager Jim Markham at [e-mail]. Note that this meeting will be focused on muskies in Chautauqua Lake only.

[Stephen Glassic]

One question I would ask if I were there is...

I recently read that when the hatchery gathers eggs for their operation, they need to get eggs from a fairly large number of mature female muskies. How do they insure that they do not disturb the spawning of too many muskies? And also, do they purposely refrain from disturbing some of the spawning grounds during egg gathering so as to help support natural spawning activity?

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

I plan giving my 2 cents on Chautauqua Musky Stocking Program,having 10 years working with hatchery.Anyone wanting to attend I have 3 empty seats!

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

One year the hatchery truck was not avalable until early October for stocking,instead of early September.Less preditation from bass eating muskie fingerlings and seagulls were over on Lake Erie at warmer water,big survival year class showed with large numbers of 35 to 37" with same fin clip followed.Best to stock in October!

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

Anyone wanting ride to NYSDEC Chautauqua Musky Meeting would need to be picked up by 4:30 pm tomarrow.

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

Attended NYSDEC Musky Inland Stocking Meeting at Chautauqua Fishing Assoc. Celeron,NY last night.They will move trap nets to different lakes to collect eggs and mix gentics.For Chautauqua Lake Muskies caught in trap netting are now being tagged with identification readable tag.This will identify if milked of eggs or sperm past year and for genetic purpose pass on those. Will give much info on Red Spot,Growth and Any Location Change.NYSDEC is looking for iformation of fin clips ,size & number of muskies caught from all musky tournaments.There was talk of holding over winter a couple thousand muskies in medal tanks in the hatchery for 12 to 14" growth before stocking,but this would be costly and would need a grant from Muskies Inc..

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

250 muskies showed in trap nets at Chautauqua Lake,biggest 51".Cassadaga Lake 60 biggesr 49"