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Posts: 175
| The DNR is also considering a proposal to stock muskies into Pokegama Lake to provide additional angling opportunities and is seeking public input to help make the decision. Muskies are native to the Mississippi River and occasionally caught by anglers in Pokegama. The lake has adequate prey to support another predator species and the goal is to develop a self-sustaining population capable of producing trophy sized fish while not impacting the other game fish species. The proposal is to stock muskie fingerlings every other year for nine years (five stockings) beginning when the fish are available. The lake would not be formally designated as a muskie lake so it would remain open to spearing. This meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2006, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Training Room at the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center (MIFC) located at 402 11th Street SE, Grand Rapids.
Comments on this stocking proposal may be directed to Chris Kavanaugh, DNR Area Fisheries, 1201 E Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 or e-mail
[email protected]
Here is our chance to increase muskie waters in Minnesota. E-mails to Chris should include the following:
Since Pokegama Lake is connected to the Mississippi River, Muskies are natural to the lake; this would be a re-introduction of Muskies.
Past summer and winter Creel Surveys on Pokegama Lake indicate favorable public opinion towards Muskie stocking, along with lake association support.
Of all the lakes in the Grand Rapids area, Pokegama Lake is best suited for Muskies because it aligns quite well with the Minnesota DNR's Muskie Lake Criteria.
Let me know if you have any questions.
CP
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| Why stock a lake that is open to spearing, it will only create another rift in the outdoors community. Then you can all meet and argue about getting rid of the spearing, like last year. Just a thought...Ben | |
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Posts: 1243
Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN | Any lake that isn't currently a designated musky water is open to spearing. So any new musky waters that are added in the state will be open to spearing. Although most of us in the musky community don't like the idea of having spearing on our musky waters, it's something that we're going to have to live with. If we start trying to eliminate spearing (or anything else), this is when the "anti-musky" people will start to cause a stir. Most spearers have nothing against muskies. They just don't want to have their right to spear taken away. If they see that as a threat, they will naturally speak up against muskies. Because the musky community is relatively small, we need to be making stronger alliances in the fishing world and avoid the tension of other interest groups.
Pokegema would be another outstanding musky fishery. Hopefully this one can get done as well.
Aaron | |
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Posts: 1243
Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN | A note on the spearing issue that came up last year on French Lake. This wasn't an issue of musky fishermen trying to end spearing on this lake. Spearing was already prohibited. This was a case of the spearers trying to stop a ban that was already in place.
Aaron | |
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Posts: 175
| Please take a minute to send Chris Kavanaugh an email stating your position. Pokegama has the potential to be a great muskie lake. The lake size is there. The forage base is there. It is worth a minute of your time.
CP | |
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MN DNR Public Hearing Pokegama