The muskie has been as much a part of the River's history as the St. Lawrence Skiff and the Gilded Age. From as far back as the mid 1800's, anglers came to the River to try their luck at tackling this apex predator. Once believed to be in never-ending supply, the muskie was harvested in great numbers until the population declined drastically. In the early 1980's, anglers began a catch-and-release program, believing these fish too valuable to catch only once.