Indiana’s muskie stocking program got a big boost thanks to the 40 adult female muskies fisheries biologists captured in traps last month at Lake Webster. The process yielded more than 700,000 fertilized eggs, compared to 275,000 last year.

Biologists stripped more than 1.5 million eggs from the fish, which measured 31-45 inches. The eggs were fertilized using 50 ripe males. Ideally, the eggs will yield nearly 20,000 muskie fingerlings at about 10 inches long each, which will be stocked at 15 lakes throughout the state in October.

“We exceeded our goal of 500,000 fertilized eggs,” said Dave Clary, manager of the state’s Fawn River Hatchery, who oversees the egg-taking. “In 2007 we had poor weather conditions. This year, the weather was perfect.”

After the eggs were fertilized, they were disinfected with an iodine solution to prevent VHS (viral hemorrhagic septicemia), a viral disease threatening muskies and other fish in the Great Lakes region. The eggs were taken to the Fawn River Hatchery, then were shipped to a state fish hatchery in southern Indiana for hatching.
“Even though we don’t think muskies are currently carrying the virus, we treated the eggs to avoid potentially contaminating our hatcheries,” Clary said.

This year marked the first time biologists took eggs directly from adults while at the lake, rather than hauling them to the hatchery for the procedure. Fish tanks in the basement of a cottage owned by a local resident were used to temporarily hold the adult muskies.

While collecting muskies at Lake Webster, biologists also marked them for the third year in a row with a uniquely coded tag, called a Passive Integrated Transponder, or PIT tag. Tagged fish recaptured in future years will enable biologists to accurately estimate muskie growth rates.

“By comparing the total number of muskies we have tagged and the number of tagged fish recaptured later, we can also estimate how many adult muskies are in the lake,” said Nate Thomas, Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife assistant fisheries biologist. “Past estimates of Lake Webster’s muskie populations make it one of the premier fisheries in the Midwest.”

National Safe Boating Week

Small boats such as open runabouts, personal watercraft, jon boats and paddle-powered craft are popular on U.S. waterways because they are affordable and easy to use.

However, they can also be the most deadly. According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, of the 474 drowning deaths in 2006, 42 percent (201) involved boats under 16 feet in length.

With National Safe Boating Week coming up May 17-23, the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers three tips to help encourage boaters and anglers to don a life jacket every time they are on the water.

A 2007 BoatU.S. Foundation study of California boaters showed about three out of every five say they would wear a lifejacket if it were more comfortable. While comfortable designs are here today, many boaters may not know what is available.

Newer vest-style lifejackets allow complete freedom of movement with broad arm cutouts and buoyancy pockets placed low on the body, allowing for unimpeded movement. Many of the newest inflatable lifejackets are no larger than a fanny belt pack, and fit comfortably around the waist.

Neither of the new modern styles get in the way of driving a boat, casting a lure or paddling.

The same California study showed boaters understand the need to put a lifejacket on when the weather goes bad. Rough weather, however, is not when most boaters or anglers get into trouble.
U.S. Coast Guard statistics show most boating accidents occurred when conditions were calm (waves less than 6 inches), winds light (less than 6 mph) and visibility was good.

Remember when few motorists chose to wear a seatbelt? In just a short time, most American motorists have adjusted to using them and highway deaths have decreased dramatically. Boaters need to consider that if everyone wore a lifejacket routinely, waterway drownings would follow a similar trend.

To learn more about lifejackets, go to www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/toolbox

Bat program at Dunes State Park

Got bats in your belfry and wondering what kind they are? The Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center auditorium will host a special bat program on Saturday, May 24, at 3 p.m. The Friends of Indiana Dunes group is cosponsor.

Bat rehabilitator and educator Bob Walton will speak about the different bats of Indiana, how to tell them apart and how the public can assist in bat rehabilitation efforts. Walton also will have live bats with him for up-close viewing.

Although the program is free, normal entrance gate fee of $5 for in-state vehicles and $10 for out-of-state vehicles applies. For more information about this program or other interpretive activities, call 219-926-1390.

Spring Mill State Park hosts Civil War Weekend

Spring Mill State Park will offer a chance learn about the Civil War, in addition to enjoying the park’s facilities, during an event-filled Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26.

The Pioneer Village will teem with activities, such as actors portraying President Lincoln and Gov. Morton, and a Civil War encampment which visitors can check out before dropping in at the tavern to see what’s cooking.

On May 26, Memorial Day, visitors can join “Lincoln” and “Morton,” along with soldiers and village residents, in Hamer Cemetery for a memorial service to commemorate the soldiers lost during the Civil War. In the afternoon, the Lawrence County Victorian Dancers will demonstrate Civil War era dances on the village lawn.

Park admission for in-state residents for the event is $5 per vehicle during all three days or $7 per vehicle for out-of-state residents. 2008 Annual Entrance Passes will also be available at the gate.