LANSING, Michigan – If you fish for muskellunge, the Michigan DNR is asking you to help them in their efforts to investigate the fish through their online survey of muskellunge anglers.

The survey collects information on the demographics of muskellunge fishermen and catch data. Catch data includes the length of the fish caught, the effort of the fisherman, the body of water caught and the methods used.

MNR says fishery managers are using the data to recommend changes to fishing regulations to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, evaluate the musk seeding program, and better understand self-sustaining populations.

According to the MNR, traditional methods such as in-person surveys and postcards have not been as effective in collecting information as the online survey.

Anglers can complete one survey per person, per trip, and are encouraged to complete one survey for each muskellunge fishing trip they take.

“Because muskellunge is so elusive in our net and electrofishing sampling efforts, muskellunge management relies heavily on fisherman reports to better understand population abundance and fishing success. Said Matt Diana, MNR fisheries biologist in Plainwell.

Muskellunge are open to capture and immediately released year round. The possession season opens statewide on the first Saturday in June.

Anglers can only take one muskellunge per license year and are required to register their harvest by calling (888) 636-7778 or online.

Current and past survey data are available online.