Over 30 SCLA families have donated to this WDNR project by "adopting" a fish to track progress in one of the most extensive studies of musky and pike ever done in Spider Lake.

In 2024, the Hayward WDNR Fish Team and Spooner WDNR fish researchers embarked on a groundbreaking study to understand how northern pike and musky interact and compete. The study, funded by donations from the Spider Lake and musky communities, uses innovative technology to track fish and improve understanding of all elements of the aquatic ecosystem.

Results of the project will lead to well informed strategies for improving the Spider Chain fishery

UPDATES from Max Wolter,  WDNR Senior Fisheries Biologist

February 2025:  In 2025 the project moves to a new phase:

• Receivers on the lake are collecting data on the movement of 35 tagged pike and muskies
• The first round of data will be retrieved in February
• Other data will be downloaded throughout the year, providing a detailed understanding of fish movements and interactions across seasons, something that has never been done for these two species anywhere
• Other plans for 2025 include more fyke netting to capture muskies and estimate the total number of adult muskies in the Spider Chain of Lakes
• An additional five tags will be put in large female muskies

A survey of northern pike after a year of aggressive harvest by anglers is planned for 2025. We will remove all pike that appear in this survey. Stay tuned for updates in 2025!

LEARN MORE: Background - go to 2024 Spring SpiderLines article (p. 18) by Max Wolter, WDNR Fisheries Biologist. Or download the article here.  To download the presentation from the July 5, 2024 "Kick-Off" meeting click here.

October 2024:  Download "Meet The Fish!" October 2024 report here.

July 12, 2024:  Colin and I were very pleased with the kickoff meeting last week! I attached the presentation from the meeting for anyone who was unable to attend Please let us know if that generates any questions we can answer!

June 2024: The WDNR Fisheries Team from Hayward and WDNR Research Team from Spooner have been working hard to ramp up the Spider Lake Musky and Pike Project. This spring saw a flurry of survey activity, with a netting effort shortly after ice-out targeting walleye, northern pike and muskellunge. Several electrofishing surveys are also being conducted, targeting bass and panfish in addition to the previously mentioned species. 

This is a larger survey effort than we have previously attempted on Spider Lake. In fact, it is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious survey efforts in northern Wisconsin in recent history.  At the end of the year we should have estimates to the total number of northern pike and walleye. In 2025 we will complete an estimate of the total number of muskellunge.

Several hundred northern pike were removed during the survey effort. We encourage anglers to harvest pike they catch as well 

This project has been supported by private individuals and groups both locally and statewide. This project is the first of its kind for these species. The high tech equipment and approach will lead to insights into the fishery and will help us develop strategies to maximize opportunities for muskellunge and improved quality of pike.

The equipment is also pricey, and any additional financial support is welcome! If you or your family want to “sponsor” a tagged fish please reach out to max.wolter@wisconsin.gov. Project donors will receive periodic updates about what their fish is up to. All research and survey results will be shared with the Spider Chain of Lakes Association over time as the project progresses. We expect the project to last 2-4 years.