Spider Lake Musky Research Project -WDNR

WDNR Musky Research Project to Benefit Spider Lake Fishery

Max Wolter, WDNR Senior Fisheries Biologist and Colin Dassow, WDNR Research Biologist for Sawyer County have developed and launched a comprehensive response to northern pike on the Spider Chain of Lakes.  The project incorporates a sophisticated receiver network to monitor tagged pike and muskellunge in the Spider Chain over a three-year period.  The technology has been used for other species but has not been applied to this issue.

Results of the project will lead to well informed strategies for improving the Spider Chain fishery.  These could include targeted northern pike removals, protection of high priority muskellunge spawning areas, and enhanced musky stocking.  The work will include habitat mapping, genetic analyses of musky, and data about the plant community useful for AIS management.

The Goals for the Fishery Are:

• Abundant muskellunge, with natural reproduction and above average angler catch rate
• Low-density northern pike, with pike that anglers catch typically being large
• Minimal impacts on other fish and the larger aquatic community

The WDNR is asking for pledges to help fund this project.  Two key sponsor levels fund tags for northern pike and for musky:

Contact Max Wolter: Max.Wolter@Wisconsin.gov  (715-492-1309) with questions and to make a pledge (and to set up a "ride-along" to see the research process in action).

Contact Steve Salisbury for more details: SSalisbury57@gmail.com (715-651-2505)

This is not a program of Spider Chain of Lakes Association.  It is a WDNR project that SCLA endorses as a way to enhance the fishery of the Spider Chain of Lakes.  For a copy of the article by Max Wolter and Colin Dassow in the 2024 issue of Spring SpiderLines click here.