Why were tiger muskies planted?
Tiger muskies were first introduced to Mayfield Lake in southwest Washington’s Lewis County in 1988 to rebuild a local Coho salmon population by controlling the squawfish that preyed upon them. Spokane County’s Newman Lake received tiger muskies in 1992 to control carp and stunted populations of perch and bluegill. The third lake to be planted with Muskies was Curlew Lake in 1998. WDFW has also made one-time plants in several lakes for rough fish control purposes, including Fazon Lake in Whatcom County, Green Lake in Seattle, Red Rock Reservoir in Grant County south of Potholes Reservoir, and South Lewis County Pond (multiple plantings in this lake). Since these lakes are no longer being stocked, and the planted fish were sterile and only live 8-10 years on average, it is unlikely any specimens still survive in any of those waters.