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CONFERENCE SCHEDULE UPDATES & CHANGES: As a result of the prolonged government shutdown, we experienced a number of cancellations and changes to the schedule. Cancellations and changes are listed here (as of January 26, 2019).
AUTHORS: Curtis P. Wagner, Kevin S. Page – Ohio Division of Wildlife
ABSTRACT: Muskellunge fisheries in Ohio are maintained through stocking. The Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW) stocks approximately 20,000 advanced-fingerling (10–12 inches) Muskellunge annually among nine reservoirs (1 fish/acre). Currently, voluntary angler reports of Muskellunge catches provide managers with information on the locations, numbers, sizes, and harvest of Muskellunge. However, this voluntary reporting approach potentially misses critical information on population dynamics metrics such as survival, escapement, and the probability of catching a fish. To provide additional information on which to evaluate Muskellunge population dynamics in Ohio, the ODOW initiated a long-term tagging study. Starting in 2013, all Muskellunge stocked into four study reservoirs (>43,000) have been implanted with passive integrated transponders (PIT). Escapement of Muskellunge is monitored using in-stream PIT detection systems stationed within dam spillways. Anglers report in-reservoir recaptures using handheld PIT tag readers. To date, more than 850 implanted Muskellunge have been detected or reported. Focusing on the escapement component of the study, we found that escapement of Muskellunge appears to vary seasonally and depend on the type of dam water control structure. For one reservoir, the probability of escapement was 4 – 36%, annually. Together, these estimates provide a more comprehensive picture of Muskellunge fisheries in Ohio reservoirs.