Photo by Pete Maina

There are few experiences in life that can rival having a big muskie engulf your lure. The slam on the other end of the line isn't for the faint of heart, and the bigger the fish, the bigger the thrill.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists have worked hard to make this experience available throughout the Badger State. Judging by the sizes of lunker-sized muskies being caught in waters managed by the DNR for trophy-class fish, it's only getting better.

The DNR estimates that more than 350,000 muskie hunters target this toothy predator every year and spend a statewide average of 31 hours of angling time for each muskie caught. Twenty-five years ago muskie anglers numbered fewer than 225,000 and put far less pressure on the state's muskie populations.

The challenge biologists have faced is how to produce not only acceptable numbers of muskies but big-fish action as well.

"Muskellunge are managed as a trophy fish in Wisconsin," said Tim Simonson, a DNR fisheries biologist and muskie expert. "This means restricting the harvest through relatively high length limits and low daily bag limits to promote large fish in the fish populations. Within the scientific community, high length limits are generally accepted as the primary tool to manage for trophy muskellunge fisheries."

According to Simonson, a fingerling muskie will reach 11 inches after a year, and take up to 17 or 18 years to top out between 50 and 56 inches. Intense stocking efforts can produce good numbers of muskies, but only voluntary compliance with regulations and catch-and-release practices by anglers will allow fisheries to produce trophy fish. These factors, combined with the high minimum length limits, are the heart of the trophy-class muskie program. The DNR believes the 50-inch regulation on selected lakes will increase the numbers of fish this size from about one muskie per 1,000 acres of water to about five per 1,000 acres.

Here's a look at our state's top five 50-inch size-limit lakes where you can experience the thrill of a lifetime!

NAMAKAGON LAKE
"Creel survey results in 2003 and 2004 indicated muskellunge and walleye were the most sought after game fish," said DNR fisheries biologist Scott Toshner.

Toshner recently completed an exhaustive study of the muskie population in Bayfield County's Namakagon Lake. Biologists used fyke netting, spring and fall electroshocking and a creel survey to get a grasp on what's happening under the lake's surface. The results were a mixture of both good news and bad news.

"Information on abundance and angler catch rates from previous surveys suggest muskellunge numbers have declined from 1989 to 2003," said Toshner. "While individual muskellunge size structure has increased since 1989, low numbers of fish less than 36 inches in the 2002 survey warrants concern."

The good news is that the 3,227-acre lake is producing plenty of fish in the 43- to 48-inch range, with 50-inchers available. Anglers tangling with Namakagon muskies this year will be tangling with quality fish.

"Historic management of Namakagon Lake has included fish surveys, stocking, and various length and bag regulations," said Toshner. "Muskellunge were stocked from 1937 to 1947, and then discontinued until 1983. Muskies were stocked annually from 1983 to 1993 at a rate of .08 fish per acre, or a total of 2,500 fish, with the exception of 1987 and from 1994 through 1996 when no stocking occurred. Starting in 1997, muskellunge have been stocked during alternate years at the same rate."

In 1983 the minimum length for muskies increased from 30 to 32 inches. In 1992, biologists raised the minimum length to 40 inches, and in 1997, the regulation was extended to protect fish 50 inches and above.