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!