|
|
Posts: 8
| I am kind of new to musky fishing but I have been fishing for as long as I can remember. I was at a sport show over the weekend trying to sell some lures and had a few people kind of bash musky fishing. One person complained about musky causing a decrease in the duck population. Another complained about the drop in walleye because of musky. My two cents on the topic is that the reason for the drop in walleye in the particular lake that was mentioned is because of the great amount of walleye fishing. Most walleye fisherman I know don’t really practice catch and release. I think musky populations are up because of the great respect for the fish that most musky fisherman have. Like I said I am kind of new to musky hunting. I was just woundering if any one else runs in to this sort of stuff. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 41
| As a matter of fact it is the other way around.
Walleyes eat more muskies than muskies eat walleyes.
This happens in the nursery areas where the young of the year muskies are wiped out en masse.
You are absolutely right about walleye over fishing and an almost total lack of catch and release. It is the walleye fishermen themselves who are responsible but I guess it's just easier for them to blame some other factor such as muskies, which prefer other prey species such as suckers and ciscos. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1530
| folks should read before inserting there foot in there mouths. muskies are the bad guys to all meat fishermen.. up here walleyes depend upon spawns for good or bad years.. remember ya cat fix stupid in people |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1207
Location: Pigeon Forge TN. | Man kind has to blame something other than himself when things go wrong. Human nature.
Walleye people are killing of the walleye as mentioned, ducks are done by hunters and oil spills as well as Mother Nature taking care of her part.
Catch and release is not practiced for all the different fish species and eventually will end up like the buffalo. Ah, but wait, mankind didn't do that, it was a open range tornado of some effect. or a disease like buffalo-itis that did it.
I know, I'm crazy, but it's fun.
|
|
| |
|
| I hear you Stan.
Let's Poison the weeds and let it flow into our drinking water.
|
|
| |
|
| A prime example of blaming muskies not fishermen is a few years back White Potato Lake association near Crivitz, WI stocked 12-14 inch Devil's Lake perch in the lake. The very first winter the perch were in the lake somebody found where they were schooled up-bragged about it and it was on. Not many perch left yet the muskies ate all of the perch-go figure. I am pretty sure the perch jerkers didn't practice catch and release. Like someone said these people have to blame something and God forbid they blame their own stupidity. Can't fix stupid! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | I think this was brought up last year by someone, as well.
It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.
Perhaps if more Walleye fisherman utilized the same conservation efforts as those of their counterpart musky fisherman... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 484
Location: St. Louis, MO., Marco Is., FL, Nestor Falls, ON | "Life is hard. It's harder when you're stupid!" Quote from John Wayne |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8794
| Prety simple really -- nobody wants to believe that taking your bag limit each and every week for an entire summer does anything to harm the fishery. It's FAR easier to blame a fish that might eat one walleye/perch/panfish/etc. Every couple of days. Or it just might eat ciscoes, suckers, bullheads/etc. instead. But that doesn't matter. What matters is it's a big fish that eats other fish, and isn't good to eat. Friday night fish frys are WAY more important than having muskies in the lake for people who fish for fun after all... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3150
| All fine and good,,but we dont help our cause by filling our boxes 25% full of walleye colored lures 'ive heard that argument"-I think walleye baits actually look like sucker!!! bottom line if its marked 'walleye' on the package it was meant to imitate a walleye,,,your throwing it,carrying it in your box your saying you have confidence in the 'walleye' pattern to induce a muskie to bite
living here in Minn where there is much opposition to muskies I got rid of ALL my walleye coloerd baits,,talk the talk we better walk the walk |
|
| |
|
Posts: 785
| All muskies are marauding killing machines and must be stopped at all costs. Unlike other fish species muskies kill for sheer pleasure and only occasionally consume there victims. Not to mention they will actively seek out and attack swimming children and people dangling there feet off of docks. They've even been known to leap out onto the shore to attack dogs and children and drag them back into the water. If they are stocked every fish in the lake will be destroyed and it will no longer be fit for recreational use due to serious safety issues.
-unamed fish and game biologist. Where do people even come up with this stuff?? So... next time your on mille lacs and see hundreds of dead floating ciscos and other fish species just remember it was not caused by heat or swallowed hooks, but by the marauding killing machines.... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River | Many of the perch & walleye fisherman on Lake St. Clair cry about the musky all the time. They claim the musky are eating them all because they can't catch any. Some go as far as killing any musky or pike that they catch.
They don't take into account that Lake St. Clair has changed dramatically from what it was 10 to 20 years ago. With the invasion of zebra mussels & gobies the lake is clearer than it's ever been. Weedbeds are growing in places the hadn't grown before & you can see bottom in 15 fow on a calm day. Gobies are eating a lot of fish eggs as well. Throw in cormorants that eat hundreds of fish a day doesn't help either.
These fishermen that are complaining are using the same tactics they used 15 years ago & never adapted to the changing lake conditions.
Edited by Zib 3/30/2011 1:43 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 444
| Usually the health or state of the top of the line predator in any system indicates the health of the overall "system".
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 717
Location: Grand Rapids, MI | esoxaddict - 3/30/2011 2:01 PM
Prety simple really -- nobody wants to believe that taking your bag limit each and every week for an entire summer does anything to harm the fishery.
Yes, I hear this all the time. They argue that the DNR MUST know what they are doing to allow so much harvest that is has to be ok.
Zib - 3/30/2011 2:42 PM
These fishermen that are complaining are using the same tactics they used 15 years ago & never adapted to the changing lake conditions.
Couldn't agree more. Happens even more in lakes where muskies are "newly introduced". |
|
| |
|
Location: Not far enough north! | Basic Ecology:
The prey species population and health determines the predator population, not the other way around.
Rick |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | esoxaddict - 3/30/2011 1:01 PM Prety simple really -- nobody wants to believe that taking your bag limit each and every week for an entire summer does anything to harm the fishery. My sentiments exactly. I believe there are certain fisherman on every lake who firmly believe the game has not been won until there are NO fish left remaining. It never ceases to amaze me. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 556
| Musky fisherman are probably the most esponsible and educated fisherman on the planet. I have been fishing a small WI. Lake ( 200 acres ) that my parents have a place on for the last 30+ years. This lake was a good walleye and Crappie fishery for many of those years--But I have witnessed the crappie fishery become totally destroyed by some newer homeowners who discovered the main spawning beds and they just totally slam them every year. Invite all their friends and relatives who just bag the spawning females and now wonder why the size is down along with far fewer fish every year. These same meat hogs have also targeted the walleye--although the walleye get to spawn before the slaughter begins--they keep every fish 15+ inches they catch---and in approx 5 years they have destroyed a decent walleye fishery. On such a small lake you need to have some respect as to the fact you can really affect a fishery---Not the meat eaters----They could care less----Musky fisherman are the exact opposite and I would say it is the fisherman who destroy these lakes and has nothing to do with the SPECIES of FISH. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 7
| esoxaddict - 3/30/2011 2:01 PM
Prety simple really -- nobody wants to believe that taking your bag limit each and every week for an entire summer does anything to harm the fishery. It's FAR easier to blame a fish that might eat one walleye/perch/panfish/etc.
I agree with something like this. Too often it seems like its just human nature to not want to believe something is 'my' fault. Much easier to blame a scapegoat than take responsibility
Zelmsawg
Edited by zelmsdawg 3/31/2011 3:30 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 339
Location: Maryland | Here on the Potomac River bass fisherman have been blaming muskies for the lack of a size of smallmouth that they are catching. I have caught some really nice 4-5lb smallies on muskies lures the past couple years. I Haven't seen a decline in the fish size at all. But in truth if it is anything that is hurting the populations it is the hard winters that have been having
What really agitates me is i know of a few guys who if they catch one will stick a knife in it and throw it up on the bank to die. BULLCRAP i say but maryland has a no waste law for fishing and will not change. |
|
| |
|
| Here are 3 study's dealing with consumption and effects on other fish with Muskies stocked or present. Do yourself a favor and just read the abstract on the front page and the results and discussion before you try to make sense of the research, I would recommend you look it all over after after those parts to get a better understanding.
Education of anglers is something we all need to do and having access to the truth is key, the haters have only maybes and lies.
http://www.mnmuskie.org/pubfolder/PDF/Muskie/MUE_ImpactOnWalleye.pd...
http://www.mnmuskie.org/pubfolder/PDF/Muskie/KNAPP%20MUE_MLResponse...
http://www.mnmuskie.org/pubfolder/PDF/Muskie/MUE_Diet.pdf
Here is some very good info on the Knapp study from above, its more layman's terms on Muskie stocking and the effects on other fish in MN
http://www.mnmuskie.org/pubfolder/DNRMEET/Executive%20Summary%20Pub...
Edited by Muskiefool 4/1/2011 6:39 PM
|
|
| |
|
| There are many links in the predator/prey chain. For instance, loons have made a strong come back in Northern WI, as have otters. When I was a kid and spent 2 or 3 weeks in Northern WI in the 60s, I never saw a loon.
Three years ago, we had a DNR fisheries tech on our chain for most of the year. He was a great guy and a hard core fisherman, although muskies were not his thing. He told me a story about a study lake where walleyes had been tagged. When a loon was found dead on the lake, it was studied and the bioligists were amazed to find many metal tags from the walleyes in it's gut, given that the walleyes were 8-12" long when tagged. They did not realize that loons ate fish that large. Watch a family of otters some time. They are very efficient fisherman and they eat a ton. I had a family of 5 off my dock one day a few years ago, and in 15 minutes they ate, at a minimum, 20 fish. Most were small blugills. I was less than 25 feet away and could see the fish and hear the crunch of their teeth. I am sure they eat some small muskie too. Eagles eat fish, both live and dead. Heron eat fish of all types, it just needs to swim in shallow water and sometimes they spear fish too big to swallow. I have found crappie and small bass on my shore with one hole in them, just the right size for a great blue heron bill but too big to go down their gullet.
But I think the bottom line is that most walleye fisherman are catch and eat, and as other posters have mentioned, it is hard for fisherman to admit they are part of the problem.
Edited by North of 8 4/1/2011 7:30 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 43
Location: Shawano, WI | Where I live we have the very popular Shawano Lake in WI... and the Walleye population has been pretty much put on its knees... and the " meat " fisherman of course blame the Muskies... I agree with the replies of everyone keep their limits and not ever practicing CPR... with all the pressure its no suprise... and of course the guys who say this is the way its always been done. or the ones who are to ignorant to change their ways dont help. and the mentality of " If I dont keep it some one else will!" definitley needs to change if everyone keeps this mentality there will be no Natural Resources left to enjoy... Yes sir the northwoods are a changing |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3873
| I am kind of new to musky fishing but I have been fishing for as long as I can remember. I was at a sport show over the weekend trying to sell some lures and had a few people kind of bash musky fishing. One person complained about musky causing a decrease in the duck population. Another complained about the drop in walleye because of musky. My two cents on the topic is that the reason for the drop in walleye in the particular lake that was mentioned is because of the great amount of walleye fishing. Most walleye fisherman I know don’t really practice catch and release. I think musky populations are up because of the great respect for the fish that most musky fisherman have. Like I said I am kind of new to musky hunting. I was just woundering if any one else runs in to this sort of stuff.
******************************************************
All the horrible stuff is true. And worse yet, there's a group of us who are dedicated to traing muskies to attack children. We train the fish in private ponds with live small dogs/poodles we steal by car jacking any idiot we see driving with a small dog in their lap. And we also use barbie dolls, man. Barbies are the ticket. Oh, and glue.
So here's the presentation: Crack a refresshing beverage and put on eye protection and a set of welder's gloves. , Introduce barbie to the small dog via superglue. Use a 12' piece of rope and a few cowboys tricks you saw on tv to toss the whole yipping mess into some deep water near some weeds.
Repeat.
I have personally created a number of trining lures using a coat hanger, a huge hook and a violated quipie doll. Some of you reading this BS have recieved these as gifts. Stay the course, brothers. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8794
| I was a muskie once. It was kind of fun! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8
| the biggest predator is always the best scape goat when your looking for an answer but to accuse one species of fish for a possible decline of another with out any evidence is foolish. its funny how they can good guy and cry about it but ive seen walleye fisherman go out in the morning and take their limit home and go back out later that same day and go home with their limit again. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3873
| paxman provides the complete logical foundation of my program of training muskies to eat people
People are the biggest predators on the water. Muskies second. I support the underdogfish, thus the people-eating program. Let's bring some balance into the equasionion ion, especially those of us who value a big muskie much more than some idiot from a Chicago suburb.
It's easy to get on this bus, just buy the ticket and take the ride*
*a nod to HST |
|
| |
|
Posts: 137
| I wish muskie fishermen had some fish to blame when we have trouble catching fish...seems to be easier for people to blame muskies when they have bad luck, more often than not. I've been in a dry spell here lately, what can I blame it on? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32900
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Crappies.
Nasty fish.
I'd suggest catching them all...and eating them. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8
| Wow! Thanks everyone for your thoughts on the matter. I will keep in mind some of the posts next time I have someone get upset I am trying to sell some musky lures. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8794
| sworrall - 4/4/2011 8:37 PM
Crappies.
Nasty fish.
I'd suggest catching them all...and eating them.
I would do exactly that, Steve. But the muskies are eating them all!  |
|
| |
|
Posts: 661
Location: Roscoe IL | Muskies Suck! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3873
| Sure, ignore the obvious solution, yahoo as it may seeem at first. The American way. |
|
| |
|
| Go figure, the guys that has been going to the same spot and limiting out for the last ten years all of a sudden cant catch any walleyes in that spot. Hmmmmmmmm I wonder why? Quick story, I was fishing near the mississippi inlet on lake bemidji near a group of guys with this same mantality. I saw the same two guys at the river every night for a week and they left with there limit every night. The icing on the cake came when one of the guys thought he had limited out, packed up his hear to leave, and just before he got in the car he realized he was one short of his limit. He then proceeded to put his gear back on walk back down to the river and fish until he got his sixth fish. Assuming he ate six walleyes a night for the last week and was not over his possession limit he is entitled to keep his six fish but are you kidding me. Raping the lake one limit at a time and complaining because muskies are predators that sometimes eat walleyes. Not to say you cant keep fish but lets be reasonable about how we use our natural resources. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1207
Location: Pigeon Forge TN. | I say that we get some of this radioactive water from Japan and use it to raise new mutated muskies to 30 feet and teach them to eat the bass and walleye fishermen that do the complaining, then we won't have them complaining or draining the waters of those species anymore.
What say you ?
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 3873
| stan, everyone respects you and with good reason. so with careful attention to my manners I gotts say you misssed the solution.
Walleye fish guys complain about muskies and get us stirred up.
or
Muskies eat those bastards and so no one is left to complain.
I hope you get on board with the program. In fact, I want you to paint me a 10" Timberwolf in a baby walley fisherman color. Can you do that? PM me, dude. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3873
| Wait, I just actually paid attention to what you wrote. You are already way on board with reasonable solutions to this increasingly nagging problem.
Would you consider being president of our group? We need a big name guy, it's political and you are perfect. Why you? Everybody likes you and you think out the paint booth.
Perfect. stay tuned.
(Still want a big Timberwolf in "Baby Walleye Fisherman" colors. I'm thinking mostly pink with a silver streak on the bottom.)
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1207
Location: Pigeon Forge TN. | Hey Ranger,
Read your first and second post to my "implied solution" ( was just trying to be comical ) I love to fish and I also release everything I catch no matter what species, although not sure about this new jumping carp should I run into any. Would really hate to have to use my 12 gauge for a back up rig.
Thank you for the compliments and I am honored to say the least, however, I think the only one I fit in is the one about the spray booth. My spray booth is my mancave.
I would be "honored" to paint the lure for you Sir, and what ever color you want.
PM is sent.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 3873
| Ok, let's get rolling here. Stan might offer a discount if we buy in bulk....
So, who's with me on painting lures in colors that will later lead to muskies eating loud-mouth crappie or walleye guys from Chicago?!!!!!
It's a no-brianer. Everyone should be in. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3873
| You guys from Chicago, well, just think about the Cards beating up on the Cubs all these years. Lotsa and lotsa a years.
Ok, now redirect that negative energy toward the idea of training freash-water 'cudas to bite yer kids.
See how easy this is. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8794
| Ranger, why stop at the loudmouth crappie guys? Can't we train the muskies to come down here and eat EVERYTHING? You know, like Godzilla? |
|
| |
|
Location: Green Bay, WI | The next time some "knowledgeable" walleye angler expresses concern about muskies eating too many of their precious quarry, point them to this reference (attached). It's freely available on the Minnesota DNR's website, and is pretty darned informative!
TB
Attachments
----------------
 MUE_Diet.pdf (132KB - 157 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 43
Location: Shawano, WI | Dangit Betka!!!! you beat me to it!! I was litterally just about to post this BAHAHA!!! and those color patterns sound delectable... we need a pattern that matches my Chicagoan weekend warrior neighbors Malibu speed boat with the stereo speakers that blast behind the boat towards the wake boarding kids???... so when we get this Jap water and as a result mutated muskies... I wont hafta worry about almost falling out of the boat every weekend... |
|
| |