illinois muskie creel project 1987 - 2008

ILLINOIS
MUSKIE CREEL PROJECT
1987 - 2008
2008 IMA Release Winner Thad Hinshaw with his 49 inch Evergreen Lake Muskie
MAY 2009
Muskie Creel Project 1987 - 2008
Summary Report
Joe Ferencak, Impoundment Program Manager
Division of Fisheries
May 2009
INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The statewide Muskie Creel Survey Project, jointly sponsored by the Illini Muskies
Alliance (IMA) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), was initiated in
April of 1987. Funds for the project were primarily provided by the IMA. The project
was modeled after the very successful voluntary creel survey which Mike Sule, former
District Fisheries Manager, designed and implemented on Pierce and Shabbona Lakes
in 1985 and 1986.
The IMA has been and continues to be instrumental in the development of the muskie
program in Illinois. The IMA provided funding for the original printing of the green creel
cards to report muskie catches, and has also provided funding for barrier nets at state
hatcheries and lakes, paddle wheel aeration pumps at Jake Wolf Hatchery, and most
recently with Tri-Esox Productions purchased replacement muskie creel signs for
posting at muskie waters. While various Muskies, Inc. (MI) chapters affiliated with IMA
have purchased fingerlings and minnow forage to facilitate stocking and rearing efforts.
The latest undertaking is an ongoing evaluation of several genetic strains of muskie in
Illinois. This research is supported by the IMA, IDNR Division of Fisheries/Illinois
Natural History Survey (INHS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Central
Illinois Chapter of Muskies, Inc., and the Illinois Conservation Foundation. Finally, we
would also like to recognize the Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail (IMTT) for their recent
donation of 10 digital cameras to IDNR Fisheries Biologists. In addition, IMTT donated
a small boat and motor for streams work last fall, while previous IMTT donations include
digital scales, funds for fish habitat enhancement projects at Lake Paradise and Lake
Shelbyville, a spillway barrier net for Otter Lake, hatchery nets, and $2,000 to support
the muskie genetic research noted above.
METHODS
Originally 27 lakes (25.0 - 24,580.0 acres) were selected for inclusion in the statewide
Muskie Creel Project. Lakes which were stocked with muskies (both pure and/or hybrid
muskies) for a number of years were selected. However, as the muskie program has
expanded anglers are now reporting catching fish from 59 water areas throughout the
state as well as some unidentified areas.
In order to alert anglers to the project, two kinds of signs were posted. “Point of
Purchase” signs (8"x 11") with smaller mail in creel cards (4"x 5") attached were
displayed at site offices, concessions, and local bait and tackle dealers. Larger (18"x
25") heavy plastic signs were placed at boat launches, concessions, and site offices. In
addition, anglers can also report their muskie catch via the internet at the following web
address: www.dnr.state.il.us/fish/muskiecard.htm. (Please note that using this web
address to report your muskie catch submits it by way of e-mail thru your browser. If
you are having problems submitting your catch report via the internet, please contact
you internet service provider for assistance in getting the proper browser settings.)
RESULTS
Table 1and Figure 1 identifies the number of muskie caught per year from various
waters, 1987 thru 2008. During this period a total of 10,932 muskies were reported
caught. The numbers of muskie caught have gradually increased over the years as the
fishery has developed. However, it should be noted that due to the low creel card catch
reports in 2004 (which was in part due to drought conditions experienced around the
state) and in 2005 (reasons unknown) it was decided to incorporate the annual catch
records from Muskies, Inc. (MI) and independent muskie clubs into the database
beginning in 2005. The MI and independent club catch records are the annual
compilation of all of the catch and release reports from participating MI Chapters and
club members. The database was then sorted and filtered to remove any duplicate
entries. The inclusion of the MI catch record in the database provides a more accurate
picture of muskie catch parameters as the totals have exceeded 800 fish each of the
past four years. The top eight (8) water areas in terms of percent catch from 1987
thru 2008 are Kinkaid Lake (21%), Fox Chain O’Lakes (18%), Lake Shelbyville
(11%), Lake Carlton (8%), Shabbona Lake (7%), Heidecke Lake (6%), Spring Lake
North (6%), and the Kaskaskia River (5%).
Tables and Figures 2 thru 6 identify the number of muskies caught greater or equal to
() various lengths from 1987 thru 2008. The number of muskies caught 36 inches
continues to increase, as from 1987 thru 1998 33% of all muskies caught were 36
inches; whereas, from 1999 thru 2008 54% were 36 inches. While in 2008 54% of
all muskies caught were 36 inches. The number of muskie caught 36, 42, 45, and
48 inches comprises 46%, 12%, 5%, and 1% of the total muskie catch, respectively.
While overall there is a considerable difference in the number of muskies caught 36
and 42 inches, the catch for these larger size groups is gradually increasing over time
reflecting progressive development of the fishery. Kinkaid Lake continues to yield
the largest number of 42"+ muskies (N=425), followed by the Fox Chain O’Lakes
(N=188), Lake Shelbyville (N=183), Kaskaskia River (N=111), Lake Carlton (N=70),
Evergreen Lake (N=52), Shabbona Lake (N=48), and Otter Lake (N=31). However,
the Fox Chain O’Lakes remains the top producing water for 48"+ muskies with 21,
followed closely by Kinkaid Lake (N=19), Evergreen Lake (N=14), Lake Shelbyville
(N=10), Shabbona Lake (N=7), and McMaster (Snakeden Hollow) and Otter Lakes
(N=6).
2008 marks the first year since 1994 in which no 50+ inch muskie were reported
caught. The largest muskie reported caught during this period is a 54 inch fish
from McMaster Lake in 2006. Those waters in the 50+ inch club continues to be
led by Lake Shelbyville (N=6), McMaster Lake (N=4), while the Fox Chain O’Lakes,
Kinkaid Lake, and Evergreen Lake each have three.
The average length of muskies caught from most water areas has also increased.
From 1987 thru 2008 the average length of a muskie caught increased from 29.0
inches to 36.4 inches (Table7 and Figure 7). However, the average length of muskies
caught from 2003 thru 2008 has remained relatively static at 36.7 inches. The average
length of muskie caught from 1987 thru 2008 for the top eight water areas
(highest average to lowest average length for muskies reported caught from
waters 10 or more years) are the Kaskaskia River 38.6 inches, McMaster Lake 37.8
inches, Lake Shelbyville 37.0 inches, Lake Evergreen 36.6 inches, Kinkaid Lake
36.4 inches, Fox River 35.8 inches, Loon Lake 35.4 inches, and Fox Chain
O’Lakes 35.2 inches. Similarly, Table 8 and Figure 8 show the average length of
muskies released by anglers has increased from 27.7 inches in 1987 to 36.4
inches in 2008. It is interesting to note that the average length of muskies released
closely follows the average length of all muskie caught.
“Catch and release” fishing for the great majority of muskie anglers is the rule rather
than the exception as there is also a corresponding increase in the percentage of
muskie released over time (Table 9 and Figure 9). The release rate has increased
from about 75% in the late 1980's and early 1990's to 99% to 100% thru the 2000's,
while the overall release rate (all years) now stands at 96%. The “catch and
release” ethic among muskie anglers is undoubtedly one of the major reasons why
muskie fishing in Illinois continues to improve.
This improvement in the muskie fishery is also evident in the fact that the average
number of hours fished between muskie catches is gradually decreasing, as the overall
average is now 13.8 hours (Table 10 and Figure 10). This suggests that muskie
anglers are continuing to learn their craft and are becoming more and more proficient at
catching fish.
Tables and Figures 11 and 12 shows the muskie catch by month, average length by
month, and catch by water and month (top eight lakes). Overall April, May, June, and
September continue to be the most productive months to catch muskie as 57%
are caught during these months. This also indicates that anglers are expending more
fishing effort during these months. The average length of muskies caught each month
from March thru October is relatively static, but appears to increase slightly in May and
September for fish 48 inches. The top eight lakes (based on percent catch) generally
reflect this pattern in varying degrees with some exceptions. The monthly catch is
higher during April thru June at lakes located in the northern part of the state
(Fox Chain O’Lakes, Heidecke Lake, Lake Carlton, Shabbona Lake, and Spring
Lake North); whereas the monthly catch is as high or higher in September and
October at lakes located in the southern part of the state (Kinkaid Lake and Lake
Shelbyville). This is probably a function of anglers taking advantage of seasonal
differences in climate that afford longer fishing opportunities in the fall for the southern
lakes. Spring Lake North also appears to provide good late winter early spring fishing
opportunities as 58% of the muskie caught were taken in January thru April.
Analysis of fishing methods and lure types and colors continues to indicate that the
majority of muskies are caught by casting (74%) black (20%) or white (13%)
colored crankbaits (51%) (Figures 13 thru 15). In terms of lure types, crankbaits were
followed by spinnerbaits (15%), jerkbaits (12%), bucktails (10%), jigs (7%), livebaits
(3%), and spoons and glidebaits (1% each). Color preferences following black and
white are silver/gray (9%), chartreuse, firetiger and shad (7% each), and green and
yellow (6% each). This pattern holds true for four of the top six lakes based on percent
muskie caught 36 inches, with the exception that jigs are the preferred lure type for the
Kaskaskia River, and white and shad are the preferred colors for Kinkaid Lake and the
Kaskaskia River, respectively (Table 13).
CONCLUSION
Over the past 22 years the Illinois muskie fishery has evolved into one of the better
fisheries in the Midwest, which is evident in the fact that Illinois has hosted several
professionally sanctioned tournaments. This could not have been accomplished without
the dedication and resolve of IDNR Fisheries Biologists, Hatchery Managers, and
Technicians, and without the ongoing support and assistance of the IMA, Illinois
Muskies, Inc. Chapters, IMTT, and the muskie anglers who have participated in this
project.
Finally, it should be emphasized that the information derived from this creel
project is very important relative to monitoring and gauging the status of
established and developing muskie populations, and will enable the Division of
Fisheries to continue to maintain and improve quality muskie angling
opportunities. However, angler participation is essential to ensure the continued
success of this project, so please make every effort to report your muskie catch.
Let’s try and catch and report some 50+ inch muskies in 2009. Thanks !
1,300
1,250
1,180
1,200
1,150
1,100
1,054
1,050
1,000
950
894
900
852
850
800
750
700
608
650
602
569
600
549
550
500
456
445
408
450
360
400
353
330336
322
315
350
298
292
300
245260
250
204
200
150
100
50
0
87888990919293949596979899000102030405060708
800
750
684
700
638
650
600
555
550
500
450
464
352
400
350
284
300
250
182
200
86
50
45 49
246
210 201
146
121
104
150
100
214
166
67 64
117
79
0
87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
40
39
38
37.05
36.5336.40
37
35.76
36
35
34.21
34
33.29
33
32
36.95
36.59
36.42
32.31
31.62
31
33.53
32.63
32.67
35.07
34.63
34.48
33.94
32.77
31.58
30
29
29.75
29.02
28
27
26
87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
ALL MUSKIE
RELEASED MUSKIE
KEPT MUSKIE
100100
100
99 98 98 99 99100
96 98 97
100
93
95
89
90
85
79 77 81
80
74 75
75
70
70
65
57
60
55
50 45
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
28
27 26.74
26
25
24
23
22
20.26
21
20
19
16.45
18
17
16.12
15.82
15.58
15.35
16
13.95
14.25
15
14
12.91
13
11.02
11.91
11.36
12
10.54
10.50
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
40
35
FOX CHAIN
30
HEIDECKE
25
KINKAID
20
CARLTON
15
SHELBYVILLE
10
KASKASKIA
RIVER
5
SHABBONA
0
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
JA NFEB MARA PRMAYJU NJU LA UG
SEP OCTN OVD EC
SPRING LAKE
NORTH
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500 – 5/09