Wil Wegman

Question:

I was up at the north end of Simcoe a couple of nights ago throwing a topwater for some bass when I saw something that I hadn't seen in years. A 15lbs + Musky followed the bait right up to my boat. Although it didn't hit the lure, it was good see. How many Muskies are stocked in Simcoe annually and what areas of the lake are they stocked?

Answer:

That’s excellent news Mike! The Lake Simcoe Muskie Restoration Project stocks a few hundred muskie every year – sometimes more depending on availability.  With muskie stocking though- it’s more about the quality of the fish than the quantity stocked.  Simcoe’s muskie are from parents originating in Georgian Bay or Gloucester Pool – where these muskie have been known to cohabitate with pike. (Unlike Kawartha Muskie.) They are raised not just to fingerling stage but often larger- reaching 5-10 inches in some cases. The stocking is also part of restoration work that will see habitat enhancement to encourage natural reproduction.

Various locations for muskie stocking occur- including the top end of the lake, as well as in Cooks Bay and over towards Pefferlaw.

Thanks for the update on the muskie sighting ... and a reminder to all readers that muskie on Lake Simcoe have a closed season until their population increases.

Wil Wegman