Die-Off of Muskellunge in the Upper St. Lawrence River Caused by Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, 2005-2008

摘要

Since the mid-1980s, Muskellunge Esox mas-quinongy populations in most water bodies in the province of Ontario have been specifically managed for large trophy size. It was agreed among fishing organizations, Muskies Canada, and fisheries researchers and managers that the growth potential warranted this special type of management designation. Through increased size limits in the 1980s and again in the 1990s, based on growth potential, and voluntary catch and release of legal-sized fish by dedicated Muskellunge anglers, the size structure of some populations increased dramatically, most notably those in large water bodies and river systems. The Muskellunge population of the St. LawrenceRiver responded most notably to the resulting decrease in exploitation, and a world-class trophy population and fishery of very large Muskellunge was established.