Performance of Leech Lake, Minnesota, Muskellunge in a Wisconsin Lake;Research rept

摘要

Three stockings (1984, 1987, 1990) of 11- to 14-inch fingerling muskellunge originating from the Leech Lake, Minnesota population were made into Nancy Lake, Washburn County to assess survival, growth, and natural reproduction. Short-term survival was low (< 20%) for two of the stockings. No survival estimate was made on the third stocking because of late stocking date (October 25). Growth rate of muskellunge in Nancy Lake was above average compared to Wisconsin growth rates. However, muskellunge in Nancy Lake tended to have a leaner body shape, as reflected by lower relative weight (Wr) indices, when compared to muskellunge populations in Wisconsin. Natural reproduction of muskellunge in Nancy Lake occurred in four of six years, though fall young-of-the-year densities were lower than average for self-sustaining muskellunge populations. Muskellunge performance in Nancy Lake was difficult to assess because no muskellunge were present prior to this introduction. Hence, there was no evidence to suggest that Leech Lake muskellunge would perform better than Wisconsin muskellunge in Wisconsin waters. Stockings such as this need to be carefully evaluated because of potential genetic risks posed by stock transfers among drainages.