A new predator for the UK?

[Zinky]

Written By: Chris Stevens On Date: 31/8/2002

First Posted on Anglingnews.

Comments Please ???

 

Muskies.co.uk is a new British website which has been created with the intention of campaigning for the stocking of muskies into waters in the United Kingdom. The Muskellunge, a North American relative of the Pike, is renowned for its elusive nature and hard-fighting abilities which the website feels would greatly add to the sporting opportunities for predator anglers in the UK without detracting from our own native species. The website points out that most species such as rainbow trout and carp, which enjoy widespread popularity in this country, are themselves alien introductions, and that a species like muskellunge would occupy a valuable niche, especially as its thrives in warmer waters than our own native pike. With global warming become more serious over the next few years, we should seriously be thinking about what species we should fish for in the future.

 

The website also intends to provide a forum for anyone interested in the species to be able to communicate with other muskie fans both in the United Kingdom, Europe and, of course, the United States with a view to planning trips over to the States to fish for the species.

 

The site is in its infancy at the moment, and they are looking for contributions and ideas from anglers who have been over to the States fishing for muskies. In fact, muskies.co.uk welcomes contributions from all shades of opinion on this subject, and you can even give your own views about stocking muskies in the UK in an online poll.

Website: http://www.muskies.co.uk

Contact: chris@muskies.co.uk

[Peter Waller]

What is the benefit of stocking Muskies over here? As I understand it the Muskie would not be able to breed in our climate. I'm not against the idea, just curious as to 'why', as much as 'how'. Yes, I would like to see more predators, perhaps a freshwater bass would be more beneficial. What do our American friends think?

[Newt]

Peter - smallmouth bass would probably do well in some UK waters. They like much cooler water than largemouth although they are found in some of the same waters in the Northern US. Smallmouth like rocks and flowing water although they can do nicely in lakes if there is some rocky bottom structure.

 

Musky - I don't know since they won't live down here. Too warm. But they should breed anywhere the pike thrives. They should be a low impact, low density, exciting pred for you folks. Much harder to catch than pike. Often called "the fish of 1000 casts" due to the skill needed and difficulty in taking them.

 

I'd be able to give a more reasonable answer if I knew what the usual water temp range for the UK was. I know it is cooler than the Southern US and you do get occasional ice but have no idea what the range is - and especially spring/summer.

[Peter Waller]

Hi Newt, temp range from freezing to about 70 degrees f. Small mouth bass were introduced a few years ago, apparently without success, shame. We have four principal 'coarse' predators in the UK. Pike, zander, chub and perch. In many areas its limited to only pike and perch.

[Croix]

I can't see any reason why the muskie couldn't breed successfully in our climate, in fact there are a few rumours around that the odd few are already here around the Nottingham area.

 

Personally I'd welcome any new predators, especially muskie, tiger muskie, or bass, providing the stocking of these fish was carefully researched first. Unfortunately I can't see it happening.

 

Dave

[Jim Roper]

Dragonbat:

 

Muskies.co.uk is a new British website which has been created with the intention of campaigning for the stocking of muskies into waters in the United Kingdom.

Would we be allowed to live-bait for them?

 

If nature intended them to be in the UK, they would already be here!

 

Jim Roper

 

http://www.march-info.org

http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/harbourcam.htm

http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/beachcam.htm

http://www.searchlineuk.com/FishList.htm

http://www.thisisdorset.net

http://www.tollers.com

http://www.decoymans.co.uk

http://www.steam-fair.co.uk

[Alan Fawcett]

Croix:

in fact there are a few rumours around that the odd few are already here around the Nottingham area.

 

Dave

Ah so you've heard the rumors of the Nottingham pits aswell then Dave?

 

from what i heard the fish were "borrowed" from a research place that was seeing which species of fish could survive & breed in the UK's climate.

 

Not saying where or what the place is called but the "company" who are involved have a lot to do with most the waters in England & Wales

[Nightwing]

Here in the northern U.S., where both pike and musky are native species, the two often do well in the same water, assuming good spawning areas is available for both. I am NOT an expert on musky, so I cannot say for sure what constitutes good spawning area, but I do think it is more limited than that for pike.

As for water temps, I don't there there is much difference in the prefered range, although as has been pointed out, musky do seem to be able to stand slightly warmer temps than pike, as evidenced by their range extending further south.

Most of our good musky waters also hold big(20lb+) pike. Musky fry is at somewhat of a disadvantage, because muskys spawn later then pike, so pike fry are larger, sometimes large enough to eat musky fry.

Of course, the musky soon enough catched the pike in growth, and eventualy passes it.

Large muskys are awesome fish, with a raw ferocity unmatched by any cold-water species. having once seen a monster musky(likely in the upper 50's) SEVER a 12 lb pike, it is something you do not soon forget!

Oh, and just to make you all jelouse, I am leaving Sept 6th to spend 10 days fishing for musky and salmon in the wilderness of Upper Michigan:-)

The water I will be musky fishing(Teqemonon River) gives up 40's yearly, and has given fish to nearly 60 lbs.

[Leon Roskilly]

Muskies are the apex predators and dominate pike.

 

Perhaps (along with the practice killing of 'trophy' pike, a reason why UK pike tend to be caught a larger than pike from musky waters).

 

Personally, I wouldn't want a breeding population of muskies in our waters.

 

But Tiger Muskies .......

 

Tiger muskies are a sterile hybrid between pike and musky, combining the best sporting features of both.

 

Just a few UK waters stocked with these fish could save a lot of pollution due to UK predator anglers travelling to the states for a different experience.

 

But the problem is always that you cannot have the best of all worlds on your doorstep.

 

Traditional UK fishing BC (Before Carp) is becoming harder and harder to find, with those who target tench and rudd etc, with traditional baits, almost specialist anglers in their own right.

 

UK anglers have traditionally been the best in the world, because of the variety of fish in our waters, and the many different techniques needed to target them. Different species taken from the same swim with a change of tackle, tactics or bait.

 

My vote would be to return our waters back to the way they were in the 1950's (minus the pollution!), rather than further messing about with the natural biodiversity.

 

You never appreciate what you once had, until it's gone

 

Tight Lines - leon

ps When I were a lad ... ... ...

[Zinky]

Leon Roskilly

quote:

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My vote would be to return our waters back to the way they were in the 1950's (minus the pollution!), rather than further messing about with the natural biodiversity

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What no Carp mud holes and commercials what would 80% of the UK anglers do ??? take up Golf.