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Muskie will inhabit and feed in the same areas that bass use to spawn.

In Ontario, muskie season generally opens one week before bass season.

Since it's only a couple of days between the two seasons, should muskie season in Ontario, including Zone 12 (Ottawa River) and other border waters, be moved ahead one week in order to protect spawning bass?

My answer was No.

id way rather hook a muskie than a bass!! screw em! NO on this one

No.

As much as I love to fish muskie...it should not be moved.

What would it gain by moving the season ahead by one week?

I understand for some areas. West Arm on Nippissing for an example, I know there has been numerous Muskie caught after the season opens which still have loose eggs in them. Although Muskie are fractal spawners, chances are a portion of their eggs have been broadcast. Question is, if the female has been caught and stressed would she continue to spawn for the remainder of her eggs?

As for the Southern region, it should remain the same. If you are targeting Muskie and keep catching Bass, perhaps up size your lures to Muskie size.

negative

It might stop all those anglers who pretend to target muskie with a buzz bait in 6 inches of water on the rideau......I vote yes


stir stir stir

That's great info Ron.

It has be studied that fish caught while or shortly after spawning have less fry survival rate and generally weaker and smaller fry....this is because the stress of a CPR while the fish are already highly stressed due to spawning is too much for them. This is affected by water temp as well.....southern regions will have eariler spawning for sure.

If we give them the opportunity to maximize their breeding potential we may end up with a better and more productive fishery.


Bass breed fast and more #'s and mature much quicker.....each species has it's own circumstances.

Nope

As stated, in some places it could open later.

Being that they are very low density, and are terrible spawners they need every chance they can get to do their thing.