Muskies Etc

Appeared on p10 of February / March 2007 issue of

"Halftail" Caught Four times in Three years

by: Kevin Moore

There is a big healthy musky in Southeast Wisconsin with a partial tail amputation that just loves to get her picture taken.

"Halftail", as we affectionately call her, had the first photo session with guide Dennis Radloff one day before the full moon at 4:58 p.m. on October 28, 2003. Halftail was cruising the weed lines off Breezy Point on Okauchee Lake. The fish measured out at just over 45 inches.

The following season, I was guiding Pete Barber and Rich Wren on Okauchee, June 3rd on a new moon. At 4:00 p.m., Pete hooked into a big fish burning a Depth Raider. He had already boated two fish that day, so he handed the rod off to Rich. After a robust battle, halftail was measured at 46 3/4, photographed and released.

Then on November 27, 2005, Kevin Mahlberg caught, photographed and released Halftail. This time on Oconomowoc Lake. This is remarkable because Halftail had traveled across 3 lakes (Okauchee, Lower Okauchee and Upper Oconomowoc Lakes) and over, under around or through a 12 foot dam, then downstream another quarter mile and into Oconomowoc Lake.

Halftail had her picture taken again on June 10, 2006 on Oconomowoc Lake after John Bilello captured her on Oconomowoc Lake again. She was still 47 inches but appeared to have put on a few pounds as we all do in the off season.

It was fortunate that all 4 pictures of this fish were taken showing the same side making for positive identification.

It will be interesting to see where Halftail will be pictured next. If this fish has a tendency to travel downstream, going over another dam to Fowler Lake and Lac la Belle could be in her travel plans.

I will also be anxious to see if Halftail shows up in early April under the dam for the annual Musky Spawning run in early April that can be viewed from the frontage road by highway 16.

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