Musky Stocking Future

[UglyStick]

At the Pequest F&G trout meeting last Saturday I was talking to one of the Hackettstown hatchery guys and I learned that the plan over the next few years is to discontinue the raising and stocking of tiger muskies and switch over to only pure strains. He commented that people seem to like them more (grow bigger, live longer, etc.) and although he didn't say it, I have to imagine their is also a cost savings to this plan. Interesting...

[acabtp]

where are they still putting the tigers? you hardly ever hear of them being caught

[NJD Bassman]

Here is the tiger muskie stocking numbers for 2012. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fish_tigers.htm

[NickN]

If I am not mistaken I believe NJ stopped producing Tigers for NJ stocking a couple years ago. I was told by someone at the Hackettstown hatchery they are still keeping them going for NY or VT. I believe what is being stocked in NJ is the surplus.

[FASTEDDIE29]

They stopped the Tiger program 5-6 years ago. All the smaller lakes now have pure strains and tigers. But they may have stocked a few tigers In a few places this past year. Caught a 32 inch Tiger on the raritan river this past fall.

[UglyStick]

I wouldn't say they stopped it since they have been consistently raising and stocking 5,000 to 7,000 tigers in NJ waters each year. Some lakes only got pure strains for the first time this year. These numbers do pale compared to the pure strains though where this past year they raised and stocked over 41,000.

FWIW, I have caught multiple tigers from Little Swartswood over the years.

[buzzbaiter]

Not sure why they stock the fish of 10,000 casts. Most are caught by accident. I've fished 30+ years and caught like 3. Seems odd to stock a fish so frequently that nobody can catch and with low survival rates. I say stock more bass/pike and less musky/walleye.

[saxmatt]

Originally Posted by buzzbaiter

Not sure why they stock the fish of 10,000 casts. Most are caught by accident. I've fished 30+ years and caught like 3. Seems odd to stock a fish so frequently that nobody can catch and with low survival rates. I say stock more bass/pike and less musky/walleye.

I wouldn't say nobody can catch them

[FASTEDDIE29]

More fish with teeth that eat everything. Yea that works for me. Predatory species rule all waters. Id like to see the state stock some invasive species that grow up to 100 lbs. That would be fun for all. LM 'GREEN CARP' AHHHHHHHHH, caught plenty of them as a kid. They are fun to catch. Plenty of them in the great state of NJ.

[acabtp]

nile perch for RVR!