Stress on Muskies

Imagine running a race giving it everything you've got and as you cross the finish line someone grabs you and holds your head under water. That is basically what happens when you catch a Muskie. They expend a tremendous amount of energy trying to free themselves from your hook, then are pulled out of the water unable to breathe. This is a main reason you should keep the fish in the water as much as possible for unhooking. A large landing net is suggested for this. Once you have removed the hook you'll want to likely get pictures of you and your prized catch. I recommend that you only keep the fish out of the water no longer than you can comfortably hold your breath. Prior to removing the fish from the net, have your fishing partner at the ready with the camera.

So, now we have a fish that has basically run a marathon and can't breathe. Let's add a shock factor to the equation. It's summer, you are out fishing with a friend, the water temp on the surface is warm, say, above 80 degrees. Let's assume (to keep this simple) that you catch your fish suspended over structure, not necessarily on the bottom, but not shallow. You hook her, the fight is on! The fish runs their marathon, is pulled out of water and can't breathe. What else has happened? You've taken a cold blooded fish (that can't regulate their body temperature like we humans) and pulled them from cool water to hot water. Thus adding a "shock" factor in addition to being out of breath, and now no way to breathe due to being out of the water. This causes a tremendous amount of stress on Muskies. It just isn't good practice to target Muskies in warm water temps.

Now I am sure there are exceptions to this rule, but as a general practice this should be avoided. Can it be done and the loss of a Muskie be avoided? Yes, people fish for Muskies in warm water year after year. However, why risk the possibility of losing the fish? You already take steps every other time you catch one to avoid losing it, why stop there? Don't forget, the larger the fish, the more fragile they are.

I hope this article finds you having a great season hunting Muskies, and maybe you have taken something away from it that will help you be a better angler. Every little bit we do now is a giant step forward to promote good fisheries across the Muskie's range in the future.

Keep that lure in the water!

-Muskie Kid

#stress #hightemps #catchandrelease