Living
Al Brown | Tracking the Seasons
Late freeze extends muskie season
When word first came down that Wisconsin's southern zone muskie fishing season, which includes all waters south of U.S. Highway 10, had been extended through December, I didn't give it much thought.
The longer season was approved by anglers during the 2008 spring rule hearings, having been initiated and guided through the process by the Capital City Chapter of Muskies Inc. and Scot Stewart, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries supervisor for south-central Wisconsin.
Speaking for the DNR, Mike Staggs, Wisconsin fisheries director, said "We're happy to provide the anglers of Wisconsin with a holiday bonus: an opportunity to fish at a time when many trophy fish are caught."
According to Stewart, "Several factors came together to make the longer season a reality. For starters, there is little or no reproduction in southern waters. The fish are raised at DNR hatcheries and stocked, so there is no impact on spawning fish of a longer season."
Additionally, stringent regulations and a strong catch and release ethic among muskie fishermen equates to about 98 percent of all muskies caught being released.
Another factor that entered into the decision to extend the season was that southern area lakes are freezing over later in the year, allowing boaters to be on the water longer.
As an example, the median date for Madison's Lake Monona to freeze over, which dates back to 1850, is Dec. 15; for Wingra it's Dec. 29.
However, over the past 10 years the median date for Monona to freeze over is Dec. 28. Five times during that same period Monona didn't freeze over until January.
With above-normal temperatures predicted for this December, Monona could be ice free for the entire month.
John Laimon, owner of Smokey's Muskellunge Shop on Pewaukee Lake, said, "If we have open water in December, I think there's going to be some nice open-water fish caught.
On the other hand, Laimon said if Pewaukee freezes over early, ice fishermen will likely be out in force and stand a good chance of catching some good muskies.
"If they've got a license and the season's open, they've got every right to catch and keep their legal limit. Times are tough right now for a lot of folks and a legal-sized muskie (34 inches) could provide maybe four good meals for a hungry family.
"My biggest concern is that we don't have any problems out on the ice if someone catches and decides to keep a legal fish. When you're hungry, catch-and-release shouldn't enter into the picture. As long as the fish is caught legally and is of the minimum length, there should be no problems with someone eating it."
The southern zone muskie season closes Dec. 31. The limit is one fish daily with a minimum length of 34 inches. On Madison area lakes, the minimum size is 45 inches.
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