Muskellunge used in a catch and release study on angling mortality

Photo of a 45" muskellunge used in a catch and release study on angling mortality during warmer summer conditions.  This study was led by Kyle Hartman from West Virginia University and his graduate student, Taylor Booth.  6 musky were captured by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources from the Potomac River and brought to the Leetown Research Laboratory experimental ponds where they were held over summer and angled during three time periods as water temperatures increased.  Upon the conclusion of the study, they fish were released back into the Potomac River.