MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin wildlife officials are experimenting with a new menu for muskies at the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery.
Department of Natural Resources fishery workers have separated the hatchery's muskies into two groups. One group is being fed a traditional diet of zooplankton and minnows. The other group is getting manufactured fish food and then minnows for the last 60 days before they're stocked.
Agency staff will mark the groups to tell them apart before they're stocked so they can assess survival rates.
DNR Fisheries Director Mike Staggs says the agency can save up to 30 percent of the cost of raising muskies by starting them on manufactured food, but researchers want to see if the fish grow and survive before the practice becomes standard at all hatcheries.
