|
Updated: 9:17 AM Jul 12, 2007
Musky Attack
Some are calling it the "JAWS" of the Midwest after a fresh water fish attacks a nine-year-old boy Posted: 10:50 PM May 31, 2007Reporter: Mary Rinzel Email Address: mary.rinzel@weau.com |
|
Some are calling it the "JAWS" of the Midwest after a fresh water fish attacks a nine-year-old boy.
>
Paris Copeland and his family were enjoying a swim in a Minnesota lake on Monday, but it only took seconds for their lazy day, to turn scary.
>
After a couple hours of splashing around…
>
"There was tons of blood," says Paris.
>
Paris was ready to pack up and go home.
>
“I felt pain and I ran back to my parents and then we went home,” Paris says.
>
Turns out a musky or possibly a northern pike was looking for lunch and that fish caused quite a commotion:
>
"I wonder how many people we freaked out, it was like “JAWS," says Westy Copeland, Paris’ mom.
>
But local biologists say the underwater predators aren't a joking matter. In fact, some can grow to weigh more than 30 pounds and…
"Muskies have a mouthful of teeth and big teeth," says DNR Fisheries Supervisor Bob Hujik.
>
But before you run from the water in western Wisconsin.
>
"Are people at risk? Probably not," Hujik tells us.
>
Hujik says muskies and northerns aren't likely to attack.
>
"They see the movement,” he says. “It's not like they're hungry and going to eat you, it's just a reaction."
>
A reaction anglers love to see:
>
"Muskies are the hardest to catch, but it’s very rewarding when you do pull one in," says Musky Guide Darrin Engstrom.
>
But Engstrom says you're lucky to get that chance.
>
"As soon as they see you in the water, they're probably going to swim away," Engstrom says.
>
As for Paris, he's ready to get back in the lake and Engstrom says his scar is more of a trophy.
>
"It's not a good day in the water unless there's blood on your hands,” he says.
>
Hujik says pan fish, like bluegills, can also nip at swimmers. But, he says attacks like the one in Minnesota, are very, very, rare.
- Woman who got caught up in scam also participated
- Jackson County courthouse evacuated Friday morning
- Man accused of beating woman to death pleads no contest
- Suspect in high-speed chase speaks out
- Hunters encourage to shoot deer with green ear tags
- Brothers sentenced to prison for burning down bar
- Families celebrate special birthday
- Police arrest two people in string of business burglaries
- Harley-Davidson may be official Wisconsin motorcycle
- Wisconsinites paying more for health insurance than the rest of the country
- Suspect in high-speed chase speaks out
15 Comments - Wardens asking hunters for help during the hunting season
14 Comments - Oprah Winfrey's talk show will end in 2011
9 Comments - Wisconsinites paying more for health insurance than the rest of the country
9 Comments - Ten worst toys
8 Comments - Jail committee meets to choose site for new justice center
6 Comments
