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Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 30 2019 11:50 am
by joebartels
Short version
Game & Fish introduced 450 sardine-sized meat eating tiger-striped predators into the 4 acre lake on May 16th.
They can grow over three feet. Unable to reproduce the game plan is for them to eat the small bass.
Interesting article. Hopefully they don't build up anger and learn to walk or Wendy & Dave will eventually be painting them blue like the buffelgrass at Piestewa.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nat ... 285809001/
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 30 2019 12:41 pm
by chumley
Mormon Lake, also near Flagstaff. That lake dries up from time to time.
I think they meant to say it actually has some water in it from time to time.
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 30 2019 2:03 pm
by Alston_Neal
I always really sucked at fishing until I learned to bait the hook with dynamite.
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 30 2019 8:19 pm
by nonot
Muskie can get to about 8 feet long in northern climates and are pretty much the most dangerous freshwater fish you have to deal with in the US (in terms of catching them, they can bite your hand), but not sure if they'll do well in AZ.
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 30 2019 9:17 pm
by ALMAL
@nonot Actually the current world record tiger Muskie was caught in Idaho. It was 52.5 inches long.
Tiger Muskie is a cross between a northern pike and a Muskie. Similarly, the tiger trout stocked in several rim lakes is a cross between a brook trout and a brown trout.
These do reach 8 feet in length at Woods Canyon lake.
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 30 2019 9:52 pm
by nonot
Ah, I didn't know they were smaller than regular muskie. Still, seems like they should get bigger than that.
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 31 2019 6:32 am
by ALMAL
@nonot Alligator gar caught in Texas, Rio Grande river, have approached 8 feet in length. Nasty fish...
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 31 2019 9:22 am
by skatchkins
@ALMAL
I remember having to throw back 6 gar for every good fish back at the dam in Louisiana. The rock banks were almost covered with them because no one would throw them back in.
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 31 2019 11:36 am
by ALMAL
@skatchkins
@joebartels
Donโt forget tomorrow is FREE fishing in Arizona.
No license needed! Enjoy fishing somewhere!
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 31 2019 11:39 am
by chumley
ALMAL wrote:tomorrow is FREE fishing in Arizona. No license needed! Enjoy fishing somewhere
Do you have to use specific equipment, or can Alston use dynamite and hand grenades?
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 31 2019 3:27 pm
by ALMAL
@chumley
All legal until you get caught

Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: May 31 2019 4:07 pm
by te_wa
the old saying "you really have to WANT to get to horsethief lake" still holds true. after ten years of thinking about it, we went last spring. "that's it?" I asked myself. plus, there used to be 9 camping sites first come, first served but it seems camping is banned there now. I cannot see how it could get much traffic. the muskie will prolly only reach 24" there being so small a lake as it is. anyway, I've never caught one so it may be a nice stop from the 'back way to crown king' trip I have planned once I get the YJ. we shall see..
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: Jun 04 2019 1:17 pm
by tmuncy
It would be nice it they stock a few lakes with Salmon as Colorado does.
Re: Tiger Muskies Invade Horsethief Basin Lake
Posted: Jun 05 2019 2:39 pm
by ALMAL
@tmuncy
Maybe? Kokanee or Chinook salmon might grow quickly to a size that would prey on all of the 6-10โ stocker sized rainbows that get stocked by the thousands in the same lakes. But who knows, maybe Chevelon?