Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 34
Pennsylvania
Musky Mania
by Darl Black
photos by the author
Muskellunge fishing has a long history in Pennsylvania. Going
back 95 years to 1924, Lewis Walker Jr. landed a 54-pound,
3-ounce Muskellunge from Conneaut Lake, Crawford County,
to establish a Pennsylvania State Record that still stands today.
Muskellunge are equal opportunists. These fish may be
caught by hardcore anglers whose main focus is the pursuit
of Muskellunge. They are also caught incidentally by anglers
fishing for other fish species. It is impossible to say who is more
thrilled with hooking and landing Pennsylvania's premier fish
predator-a Muskellunge addict or an unsuspecting angler
making a random cast.
Fishing buddy, Dave Lehman's Muskellunge catches are in
the incidental group. "While fishing for Walleyes, bass and
panfish, I sometimes catch Muskellunge. A crankbait or jig
accounts for most of these toothy fish. It is pandemonium
when I hook one on light tackle. This past year, I caught a
46-inch Muskellunge from Conneaut Lake, while my biggest
Muskellunge ever was 47-inches from the Allegheny River a
few years back," said Lehman.
34
On the other hand, my friend Woody Knis is a serious
Muskellunge chaser. Knis trolls large, handcrafted plugs made
by western Pennsylvania lure makers specifically for these large
fish. Although rigged with 65-pound-test braided line and a
4-foot, 50-pound fluorocarbon leader on 10-foot rods, you will
not find a wire leader on his line. Knis is adamant that wire
leaders reduce the number of strikes.
"In the spring and fall, we troll along the shoreline and
shallow structure," said Knis. "During the summer, the
game switches to offshore humps and river channels. My
biggest Muskellunge so far was 50-inches long, caught from
Pymatuning Reservoir," said Knis.
Under natural conditions, only about 34 percent of
Muskellunge eggs are fertilized, and recruitment is low.
Therefore, the only way to achieve a strong population of adult
Muskellunge to sustain angler interest is through stocking.
After failed attempts in the 1890s, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat
Commission (PFBC) rebooted their Muskellunge propagation
in 1953. With increases in knowledge and innovations in the
hatchery process including holding fingerlings until 12- to
14-inches, Pennsylvania's Muskellunge propagation is a great
success story.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * November/December 2019
www.gonefishingpa.com
http://www.gonefishingpa.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 22
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 24
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 26
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 30
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 32
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 34
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 36
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 38
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 40
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 42
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - Cover4
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