Toshner pointed out that anglers fished an estimated 80,578 hours during the 2002-2003 season on Namakagon and logged a whopping 25 hours angling pressure per acre, the vast majority of which was during the open-water season. Muskies got the nod from anglers as the most targeted game fish. "Since 1993, muskies have surpassed walleyes as the most popular game fish," said Toshner.

But according to studies, the numbers of muskies being caught are down, dropping 53 percent from the catch rate in 1993 and down 67 percent from the numbers of muskies taken in 1989.

"In 2002 it took anglers 92 hours to catch a muskellunge compared to 54 hours in 1993 and 14 hours in 1989," said Toshner.

But for what Namakagon is lacking in numbers it makes up for in sizes, and the future looks good. According to Toshner, DNR management recommendations to be implemented for Namakagon include the continued stocking of between one and two muskie fingerlings per acre biannually, working with local residents, lake associations and groups to develop a cooperative lake management plan that addresses fisheries management goals, habitat protection and rehabilitation, and education efforts aimed at lake-users.

Additional fishing information can be obtained by calling the DNR Northern Region office at (715) 372-8539.

CLEAR LAKE
"Clear Lake was chosen for the 45-inch and 50-inch size limits mainly because of its track record, though we didn't have a lot of information before the 45-inch minimum length limit went into effect in 1991," said John Kubisiak, a DNR fisheries biologist in Oneida County. "Clear Lake has the potential to produce large muskies, and has done so in the past."

According to Kubisiak, the lake's large size, ciscoe forage base and low-density muskie population are conducive to producing trophy-class fish.

The 50-inch minimum length limit on Clear Lake muskies is a relatively new management tool, and though it is too soon to say how much of an impact it will have on the fishery, expectations are running high.

"Age and growth rates are very difficult to determine on older muskies unless you sacrifice the fish and use the cleithrum bone," said Kubisiak. "I don't have much on growth rates for the larger fish from this area, but a female muskie from northern Wisconsin will average 41 inches at 10 years of age and grow a little better than an inch a year after that."

Will Clear Lake muskies reach trophy sizes? Kubisiak hopes so.

"The DNR conducted a mark-and-recapture population estimate on Clear Lake during 2000 and 2001," said Kubisiak. "At that time we estimated there were 106 muskies 30 inches and larger present in Clear Lake, or less than one for every 8 acres. Most of the 59 fish in our nets during 2000 were between 34 and 42 inches, but we saw one 50-incher and one 52-inch fish. These were the only two fish larger than 45 inches."

Surprisingly, stocking has not been necessary since the early 1970s. The muskie population has remained stable and has been maintained solely by natural reproduction. Though muskies may be far and few between, angling on Clear Lake can be well worth the effort.

"The 50-inch minimum size limit was voted on at the 2002 Conservation Congress spring hearings and went into effect in 2003, so we need to allow time for some fish to grow before we will be able to tell how effective that regulation is in producing more fish in the upper 40- to 50-inch range," said Kubisiak.

The official name of this 846-acre lake in Oneida County is Clear Lake T39NR7ES16. This distinguishes it from other nearby lakes with the same name.