A muskie experiment in Lake Geneva

We're going to experience some hair-raising angling in several years on Lake Geneva.

Well, make that a half dozen years, and that's if this plan works in the way it's intended.

Infused with a zeal not seen in recent years, biologists with the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources just planted a couple thousand muskie fingerlings into Geneva Lake, or as some would call it, Lake Geneva.

As many know, the lake is a vast playground for smallmouth and largemouth bass, lake trout, a smattering of walleyes, jumbo perch, crappie, bluegill, and a few other mysterious creatures. The bass grow to notable sizes because there are lots of snacks available.

Now the big question is this: Because muskies are food hogs and gobble up almost anything they see, will the competition for forage hurt the lake's present resident swimmers?

Fishing report:

Lake Michigan: Chinook salmon angling off North Point is outstanding, but the fish are very deep. The perch action is very slow.

Wolf River, Wis.: Tournament angler Eddy Butts called twice to report the walleye action on the Wolf is “unreal,” with decent fish all over the river.

Fox Chain: Muskies have been very good on Channel Lake. A few big pike have been taken as well on Channel. The walleye action continues on the upper river, Channel Lake and Petite Lake.

Fox River: Check the Batavia area for big smallmouth bass.

- Mike Jackson can be reached via e-mail at angler88@att.net and you can catch his radio program 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.