Biologists track muskie populations at Merritt and Cottonwood Seberson reservoirs

The Nebraska Northwest District Fisheries Meeting spotlighted the ongoing muskie project, a significant initiative aimed at enhancing fish populations in Merritt Reservoir and Cottonwood Seberson Lakes. Launched in 2020, the project faced delays due to COVID-19 but gained momentum in 2021, focusing on understanding the age structure, growth potential, and reproductive capabilities of these fish.

Over the past few years, fisheries officials have tagged 53 adult muskies in Cottonwood Seberson and 45 in Merritt, with a total of approximately 1,400 and 1,570 fish stocked, respectively. The use of small pit tags allows researchers to track individual fish, noting their growth, sex, and reproductive contributions. Notably, two muskies collected recently from Merritt, originally stocked at 12 inches in 2022, have grown to an impressive 31 inches, showcasing remarkable growth rates.

The meeting also revealed insights into the age demographics of the fish populations. In Cottonwood Seberson, muskies have been recorded living up to 19 years, with males reaching around 40 inches and females up to 47 inches. Meanwhile, Merritt Reservoir's muskies are younger, with a maximum age of 12 years and females reaching about 48 inches.

This project not only aims to bolster muskie populations but also to explore the potential for breeding tiger muskies, further enriching Nebraska's aquatic ecosystems. The findings from this ongoing research will play a crucial role in future fisheries management strategies, ensuring sustainable practices for years to come.