Hot water temps - What's the big fuss?
Every year the same question is asked, how hot is too hot? As with most fisherman, opinions vary. Some will say it doesn't matter, while others have a precise cutoff for temperatures and they won't fish if it's above their "mark".
The biggest problem is that not enough Muskie fisherman take the time to research this topic. If they do most don't check credible sources. If we take the proper care for releasing Muskies, and support the release process to keep a good fishery going, then why don't we take the additional time to figure out what the best practice is?
Studies from fish biologists have shown that warmer water temperatures have less oxygen. With less oxygen it is difficult for the fish to breathe. This is why you typically find Muskies suspended deeper in the water column as temps rise. When you catch a Muskie the majority of the fight is in the top few feet of water, where it is the warmest. So the struggling fish now has limited oxygen, this already decreases the odds of the Muskie's survival. Even if you do everything else right. Even a water only release (not removing the fish from the water for photographs, measuring, etc.) the fish is still sitting boat-side in a net trying to recover in water with less oxygen due to the temperature of the water. I won't go into detail about the "shock" factor of being pulled from cool water to warm water, as I have covered it in another blog.
As if not being able to breathe wasn't bad enough, let's discuss lactic acidosis. Lactic Acidosis is a buildup of lactic acid that can cause an abnormal heart rhythm. This can potentially lead to a sudden stoppage of the heart, and hypoxemia, which is a condition of an abnormally low blood oxygen level. These conditions account for a significant portion of delayed mortality following the catch & release process.
What is lactic acid? Lactic acid is a natural by-product of muscle tissue. With adequate levels of oxygen the production of lactic acid remains low/normal. Hypoxia is a lack of oxygen. The resulting lack of oxygen causes their pH level to decrease and they become more acidic. That in turn leads to the interference of oxygen getting delivered to the tissues, such as the heart. As the heart becomes hypoxemic, it becomes more susceptible to abnormal rhythms. In periods of pronounced hypoxemia, the heart may even cease to function normally, possibly resulting in the death of the fish.
High water temps can magnify the effects listed above. So the next time you are out be aware of your water temperature and do the right thing. Why invest all the time, effort, and money into seeking out these prized fish, only to have them die later after release. If someone doesn't know, educate them. I see hateful bashing in Muskie groups on Facebook, and online forums all the time. That is not how you educate someone. Do the research and quote publications as I have done here. All credit for the research found in this article goes to the original author and the full article can be found here.
I hope this blog finds you in good health and cheer, and leaves you with a better understanding of our prized King of Freshwater! If you have any questions or comments, send me a message via the Contact Page. I'd be more than happy to discuss this more in depth, or to help you spread this information with others.
Keep that lure in the water!
-Muskie Kid
