2020 Potomac River Muskellunge Project

Rules for Incentive:

Postcard Survey – Recipients who fully complete and return (NLT 31December2020), with accompanying contact information, will be entered into the drawing. One entry per person.

Muskie Tag Return – Anglers who catch and return a tag (*with the required information) from a tagged Potomac River muskie by July 1, 2021 (extended) will be entered into the drawing. Each tag return will qualify the angler for entry into the lottery; multiple entries per person possible. A four-digit numerical yellow tag(s) (example: 1234) can be found along the leading edge of the dorsal fin on the muskie's left side (dnr.maryland.gov/Fisheries/Pages/recreational/Muskie_Management.aspx). In order to be eligible for entry into the prize lottery the following information must be provided:

Anglers name and contact information (ex:– Angler name and phone number or email)
The general location of capture (ex: Section of the Potomac River where fish was caught)
Length of the fish (measured in inches)
The actual tag from the muskie.
manually remove and submit the tag so that the four-digit number (ex: 1234) is legible to be eligible for entry into the lottery. Anglers should manually pull the tag out of the fish and must return it via mail to 10932 Putman Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. Fish does not have to be harvested to remove tag

Random drawing procedures:

Each individual who submits a postcard survey or provides the required information from a tagged muskie, in accordance with the rules outlined above, will be entered into a database. The database will be managed and checked routinely by multiple Maryland Department of Natural Resources Freshwater Fisheries staff members to assure accuracy. In January 2021, all names within the database will be randomized using the software function to select the winners. A total of ten winners will be selected. Each winner selected will be removed from the database so that each individual has only one chance to win. The winners will be contacted and arrangements will be made to deliver a $100 Visa Check Card.

Tasks:

A total of 100 prepaid postcards will be distributed to Potomac River anglers throughout 2020. Maryland Freshwater Fisheries staff will personally hand out postcard questionnaires to anglers fishing the Potomac River. Recipients will be made aware that their name will be entered into a random drawing for ten $100 winners by just simply filling out and returning the card.
In addition to postcard survey participants, any angler who catches and submits a tag from one of the existing tagged muskellunge in 2020 will be entered into the prize drawing. Advertising this incentive will be accomplished through Departmental outreach, the MD Muskie Webpage, and through personal outreach by existing members of the voluntary creel diary program.
Mark-recapture population estimates will be obtained during the spring of 2020 at two separate geographic location of the Potomac River. During March, staff will conduct these surveys at Dams 4 (open) and 5 (closed).

Objectives:

Data generated through the postcard survey will be used to estimate the response rate of muskellunge tag reports. These data will be used to account for non-reporting of tag returns.
In addition, data generated through the postcard survey will be used to estimate angling effort for Potomac River muskellunge. Future postcard surveys assessing seasonal fishing effort could be used to monitor the effectiveness of outreach and education on decreasing summertime angling.
The data from the tag return survey and population estimate will be used to calculate the number of fish angled from the population annually.
Tag reports from radio-transmitter muskellunge will be used to assess the impact angling is having on the population by tracking the fish post-capture. Furthermore, these data will be broken down by season to determine if there is a significant summertime angling threat to muskellunge who appear to be more vulnerable to capture and elevated stress.