Branded Muskies
Muskellunge are native to a large area in North America, ranging from Canada all the way south to Kentucky. Originally, muskies stocked in Missouri came from several areas including Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Minnesota. "Northern" muskies living in their native cooler climates tend to have somewhat different life histories than those living in warmer climates, like Missouri. The "northern" strain of muskies that are stocked in Missouri typically grow faster, but don"t live as long and often don't reach the maximum sizes seen in their northern native range. While northern muskies stocked in Missouri provide many hours of fishing enjoyment, they rarely, if ever, exceed 50 inches in length, which is a "trophy" goal for many muskie anglers.
Kentucky muskies are native to a climate similar to Missouri and often reach 50 inches or more in length. This was the impetus for MDC to begin a muskie strain evaluation. Would the strain of fish native to Kentucky (that are perhaps more adapted to grow to 50 inches in warmer climates) be more suitable to stock in Missouri than a strain that was native to cooler climates?
2002 freeze brands are located behind the gills. Missouri strain muskies are
branded on the left side of the fish (as in these pictures) and Kentucky strain
muskies are branded on the right side.
2003 freeze brands are located between the dorsal fin and tail.
Starting in 2002, Kentucky strain muskies were stocked along with the typical Missouri source fish in Pomme de Terre and Fellows lakes. Kentucky muskies were also stocked at PDT in 2003 and at Fellows in 2004 and 2005. Each time Kentucky muskies are stocked, Missouri source muskies are stocked in roughly equal numbers. Fish are marked either with a freeze brand visible on the fish or with coded wire tags implanted in the fish. Anglers will not be able to visually detect the wire tags. By marking the fish in distinct locations, growth can be compared between the two strains and among years. Stocking plans for 2006 include stocking both strains at each of these lakes.
Freeze brands look like a vertical scar on the fish's side with a slight indentation. Some discoloration of the skin within the scar is usually evident. Fish stocked in 2002 were branded near the pectoral fin just behind the gill cover. In 2003, fish were branded between the dorsal fin and tail. A brand on the fish's right side indicates a Kentucky fish, a brand on the left side is a Missouri source fish. Fish stocked in 2004 and 2005 were implanted with wire tags, which will have no obvious external marks.
The 2002 and 2003 branded fish are now close to or longer than the 36 inch minimum length limit, and we have photos of several recent catches of muskies with brands. If you catch a fish with brands, we would greatly appreciate hearing about them. Noting the brand location (near gills or tail, right or left side) on your Show-Me Muskie Project annual trip record forms would be a great way to do this! Photos are welcomed, but remember to always follow the catch and release guidelines. As these fish continue to grow, we plan to collect more data to evaluate how well the two competing strains are doing in Missouri. Hopefully, a new Missouri state record over 50 inches will be set soon!
