Great Lakes Spotted Muskellunge Restoration Natural Spawning Effort and Recruitment Evaluation

FWS Agreement Number

30181-9-G028

Project Summary

The identification, and ultimately protection, of critical spawning habitat for muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) in Green Bay is a vital step for re-establishing a self sustaining population in the Green Bay system. This study was designed to document the extent of natural reproduction and locate spawning areas by oviduct insertion of radio transmitters into mature females prior to spawning. Expelled transmitters were later located using radio telemetry to identify spawning sites.