"This was a big year for fisheries activity on LCO. A collaborative effort between DNR, LCO Conservation Department, Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies Inc., and COLA resulted in the removal of 3,000 northern pike (average length around 20 inches) in the spring and the stocking of huge numbers of walleye and musky in the fall. The walleye stocking is needed, and we hope those fish will do well and be available to anglers as legal size fish in a few years (typically 4-5 to get to 15 inches). But I am particularly excited about the musky stocking. These fish were held in the hatchery longer than normal and were given extra feed purchased by Muskies Inc. That resulted in a higher average size which should improve survival. Each fish is carrying a tag that will allow us to track their growth and survival in LCO and will tell us if they move into any of the other connected lakes. That data will be very helpful as we try to restore the LCO musky population. The tags were purchased with a donation from COLA and Muskies Inc."

Totals for 2017:

Walleye: 28,353 "medium" fingerlings stocked in July (Avg. length 3-4 inches)
23,000 extended growth fingerlings stocked in October (Avg. length 6-8 inches)
3,474 large muskellunge fingerlings stocked in October (Avg. length 12.6 inches)

Max H. Wolter, Fisheries Biologist
Hayward Service Center, Bureau of Fisheries Management
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources