Articles : Extinct Tigers

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Extinct Tigers:
The Abolished Tiger Muskellunge Program in Illinois
By: Steven James Rusteberg

Tiger Muskellunge, the genetic cross between the male Northern Pike and the female (true) Muskellunge have been avidly sought after by weekend anglers and Muskie hunters alike. Many anglers who accidentally encounter the fish on the end of their line consider the fish to be a beautiful bonus to their angling efforts. Unfortunately, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources had decided to place a moratorium (or discontinue) on this program in the waters that you fish.

The Tiger Muskellunge is best known for it’s markings and tenacious behavior making it not only a beautiful fish to catch, but also easier to catch than a (true) Muskellunge. Many scientific studies have proven it to take fewer man-hours on the water to encounter one of these beauties, than it’s cousin the Muskie. The torso of a Tiger Muskellunge is usually well marked with dark bars and lines, much like the Bangle Tiger’s coat. It is truly a beautiful fish and one that, even among true Muskie hunters, demands respect. It is, without a question, considered a prize catch at any size.

The IDNR has chosen to discontinue the production of this fish at its hatcheries. This means that in the future the Tiger Muskellunge will become extinct in your waters. The Tiger Muskellunge doesn’t successfully reproduce. It is a sterile fish which can’t create it’s own species. Therefore, what you stock is what you end up with swimming in your lake. Due to poor survival rates in Illinois waters the IDNR has essentially given up on the Tiger Muskellunge program.

Why has the Tiger Muskellunge done so poorly in Illinois? One reason, a scientist might argue, is that most of the hatchery fish that the IDNR has raised are on a solid, pelted food. Scientific studies over the last ten years have conclusive evidence that a pellet reared hatchery fish has little chance of survival in the wild. If a hatchery raised Tiger Muskellunge is fed pellets it’s survival rate in the wild can fall as low as 10%. That is ten out of every one hundred Tiger Muskellunge stocked will actually make it through its first winter in the wild.

IDNR hatchery managers have fed Tiger Muskellunge pellets for years because of cost. A fully reared Tiger Muskie that is fed minnows cost almost twice as much as a fish reared on pellets. Tiger Muskellunge take to pellets very well in hatchery situations, but there is a downfall to this convenience. It is cheaper to feed Tiger Muskellunge pellets, but if a survival rate is dramatically lower in Illinois waters is it logical? It is almost not cost effective to loose large numbers of stock when the fish is released into the wild. The IDNR would likely be better off spending more money to breed fewer fish with a minnow raised (or minnow finished) diet. Despite the fact the research on this issue has been published for years, we have still taken the “leap of faith” in Illinois that our fish will survive and prosper on a pelted diet. It appears that we have “lost the bet”. The Tiger Muskellunge program in Illinois has failed.

Scientist’s theories that a pellet reared fish are likely to inhabit the upper levels of the water after stocking occurs. Escentually they are waiting for a pelted food to hit the surface. This makes the fish more venerable to predators, such as birds and other bigger fish. It is also theorized that the small Tiger Muskellunge never learn the importance of the hunt for food. A pellet doesn’t flee when chased. In becomes effortless prey. This fish is a predator, and must learn to hunt its food. Without this essential life cycle trait it can’t function in the wild, therefore, the stock never has a chance when released. We have learned (the hard way) that raising stocked fish on a pelted food doesn’t give a Tiger Muskie a chance in the wild.

One thing we must remember as avid fisherman is that more is not necessarily better. If we stock one thousand four-inch fish raised on pellets with a 10% survival rate; we might as well raise fewer fish on minnows and stock them at a larger size. Perhaps, even over-wintering these fish in our hatcheries would produce successful stocking results. Fewer fish will be raised at the hatchery, but higher survival rates will accomplish the same outcome or perhaps even better stocking success. We may even accomplish our ultimate dream, a healthily Tiger Muskellunge program we all can be proud of in Illinois. We know from research and experience that larger stock has a better survival rate. We also know that minnow reared (and minnow –finished) fish have a better survival rate. The solution: Don’t stock four inch pellet raised Tiger Muskie and expect high survival rates in Illinois. Spend money on fewer, larger, minnow raised fish and put them into our waters. This may be the key to a successful Tiger Muskellunge program in Illinois. Scientific studies have been suggesting this for years. Why haven’t “we” (as a state) examined the scientific results? I believe people (and government) see “more” as better, and “cheaper” as more cost effective. What we really don’t understand is the science (or math) behind the problem. If the IDNR stocks 10,000 fish in Illinois waters we as anglers will stand and cheer. What we do not comprehend is that if these 10,000 fish are only four inches in length and pellet raised this dramatically effects their survival rates. Big numbers looks good, but the end result can mean fewer fish, dramatic effecting stocking success.

Quality of fish (genetically), size of fish (stocked), and what they were fed in the hatchery should be the real issue. Numbers of fish stocked should not be the “edge” angler’s look to for fishing success. This formula above appears to be the cocktail for a successful stocking program. Again, research becomes imminent on our many lakes and rivers. This is not a time for the IDNR to give up on the program. It is time to read, research, and learn about how we can be more successful stocking Illinois waters.

If we look at a body of water like Heidecke Lake (located at Collins Nuclear Power Plant) we notice the stock from 1993 to 1997 showing up in good numbers. This lake, over the last two years, has produced more Creel Survey cards (“Green Cards” as they are more commonly referred to) than any other lake in Illinois. The last stocks of Tiger Muskie are showing up in great numbers. These fish were finished on a minnow diet. They were stocked at a larger size. Time will tell if this we be enough to convince the IDNR to make the Tiger Muskies a viable commodity in Illinois waters again. It is not time to give up on this program. By not stocking these fish we are not learning anything about their performance of their success or failure in our waters. Heidecke’s brief success story gives us insight into doing the right thing when we stock, but doesn’t compare to how these stocked fish will react in other bodies of water in Illinois. Heidecke is very much a unique fishery. Looking at how other lakes react to larger, minnow raised (or finished) fish will give us a better clue on how to manage stock. Quitting because of past failure is not an option when you are so close to a breakthrough.

As anglers we must be united in our opinion that “more fish is not necessarily better, cheaper is not necessarily more cost effective, and quitting is not the right answer to our Tiger Muskie program.” We must convince the IDNR that this beautiful fish can be a great asset to Illinois fisheries. We must study our waters more closely before we stock, and understand how (and why) other states have had success. Again, research on Illinois waters becomes the issue. Trial and error is expensive! Can we afford to “take a chance” and “hope for the best” when we mess with our waterways? Call the Illinois Division of Fisheries and support the re-induction of a smarter plan for the future of the Tiger Muskellunge Program.