The cleithrum project is an opportunity for individuals to make a significant contribution to the increase in our knowledge of the muskellunge. We need more and continued contributions, particularly cleithra from the largest, oldest individuals which have the greatest amount of life history information. The greatest problem is the obvious one – unlike scales, cleithra cannot be taken from fish that are to be returned alive to the water. The next step we contemplate is an attempt to increase participation from other regions. We would like to encourage contributions from Québec by translating the information package into French and distributing it in that province. There has been a concern in the past about expanding publicity when we had not dedicated technical assistance for fear of receiving a number of cleithral bones which would have to wait some time for analysis and reply.
Catch and Release Muskie Fishing – Let Them Go – Let Them Grow