The statement that Tony Rizzo "is against trophy muskies" isn't accurate. I have talked with with Tony several times, and found his concerns to be based around the ideas that creating catch and release only lakes (which the proposal would, in effect, have done for an extended period of time) was not presented to be a proven, or provable effective management technique, that the populations in those waters might not ever reach the targeted goals in the numbers hoped for, and that as a result, the overall muskie population in those waters would not benefit.

The thought process is that 90% of the muskies caught are already released, including 50" class fish. Harvest of males, and limited harvest of female muskies is believed by some to be  necessary to keep the population in balance. If indeed the release rate is over 90%, and the kill average is in the low 40's, where are the numbers of 50" fish that should be there? That question was asked by several opponents to the 50" proposal. Concerns that the trophy managed lakes would certainly continue to be speared and any fish that made the 50" bracket targeted also jaded the chances for approval.

I didn't come away from those conversations with the feeling that Tony opposed trophy muskie management. He has opposed stocking as managed in the last 20 years and opposes the experiment as it was presented because he honestly doesn't feel it will work.

I, personally, would like to see the proposal applied to trophy potential lakes, especially the top lakes targeted that match the criteria for big fish and balanced populations. Does that make me wrong and Tony right, or the other way around? I don't know. Chances are, I never will unless the experiment is given a chance to succeed or fail, whichever comes.

The only way that will happen is for the DNR to move ahead with a planned educational campaign, and a clear, balanced, and reasonable discussion be undertaken with the sportsmen, businessmen, and visitors who spend their time and money fishing muskies here in  Northern Wisconsin.