Nebraskaland

April 2020 • Nebraskaland 23 • Calamus – Up to 50" • Cottonwood- Steverson – Up to 50" • Crescent – Stocked • Elwood – Up to 50" • Enders – Up to 45" • Fremont 20 – Unknown • L.E. Ray Lake – Up to 45" • Merritt – State-record size • Mormon Island West – Up to 45" • Sandy Channel – Unknown • Timber Point – Up to 35" • Wagon Train – Up to 45" • Zorinsky – Up to 40" OTHER MUSKIE WATERS Since 2010, muskies have been stocked in the following waters. They are grown at an advanced size of 12-14 inches and stocked in the spring of their second year. Suicide Duck Photo courtesy of muskyshop.com year's adoption of a 50-inch minimum for what many consider to be Nebraska's greatest fi sh, the muskellunge, Merritt has entered rarefi ed air as a trophy fi shery. "Merritt has alewives, white suckers and various panfi sh," said fi sheries biologist Daryl Bauer of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. "There are plenty of groc eries for big muskies." Bank fi shing from the dam has become a popular pastime for many anglers just after ice-out, as alewives are in shallow water and pre-spawn muskies are hungry. "Muskies don't spawn as early as walleyes or northern pike," Bauer said. "But they'll feed a lot before, going to bays and coves and trying to spawn." Coincidentally, walleyes are in the same areas, and fi sh survey crews will often encounter muskies while doing walleye egg collections near the dam in April. To catch these fi sh, anglers will fan cast these open water areas with muskie lures – insanely large big brothers of bass and walleye tackle with names like Dirty Dancer, Hawg Wobbler, Double D and Suicide Duck. It is a test of patience, as every muskie angler knows. "We've had days where we've caught multiple fi sh," said Bauer. "And we've had days when we don't see a fi sh all day long." Such is the life of a muskie angler. However, if you are not a traditional muskie angler – or are tired of casting these physically demanding lures, you can always go smaller. "If fi shing smaller tackle keeps you in the game longer, this can work to your advantage," said Bauer. "Also keep in mind that smaller tackle may match the size of the baitfi sh a little better." As the spring continues, anglers can still bomb the banks at Merritt with muskie tackle until summer begins. As the dog days return, there will be more open water baitfi sh, and muskies will pull away into that deeper water. At this time of the year, most of the muskies will be caught by walleye anglers trolling crankbaits. With the state record muskie at 52 inches now and the new 50-inch minimum, it's obvious Nebraska anglers aren't going to put many fi llets of this species on the table. Muskie anglers will surely agree that is not why they want to catch one, though, and the new regulation will help protect the resource. With Merritt's water quality and ample food, it is Nebraska's muskie capitol. So plan at least one long day in the Sandhills this spring casting for this trophy fi sh. Bring your big tackle, and your bigger net, and prepare for the fi sh of a thousand casts – knowing that it only takes one bite for your fi rst state record fi sh. N PHOTO BY DARYL BAUER Daniel Bauer of Valentine holds a master angler muskie from Merritt.

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