fishing before muskie opener
muskieman6
Posted 5/22/2013 6:45 PM (#642707)
Subject: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 91


Location: Metro , Mille Lacs, and G. Rapids
I was wondering what are the consequences for fishing muskie before the opener?
Ebenezer
Posted 5/22/2013 7:33 PM (#642719 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 210


Banishment from Muskie First, FOREVER!
bmxrider11976
Posted 5/22/2013 8:12 PM (#642724 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener





Posts: 147


Location: Northern New Jersey
Dismemberment via knipex
MuskieFever
Posted 5/22/2013 8:24 PM (#642725 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 572


Location: Maplewood, MN
Being known as, 'that guy.'
Ja Rule
Posted 5/22/2013 8:46 PM (#642730 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 415


Pretty good ticket if you get caught
muskyhunter47
Posted 5/22/2013 9:13 PM (#642735 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 1638


Location: Minnesota
I caught my first musky fishing for bass

Edited by muskyhunter47 5/22/2013 9:14 PM
djwilliams
Posted 5/23/2013 12:02 AM (#642752 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 770


Location: Ames, Iowa
IMO the fine ought to depend on the net you have in your possession at the time of the catch.

Guest
Posted 5/23/2013 5:58 AM (#642762 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener


Have your fishing license revoked for a year minimum should be the penalty. And a verbal bashing from your musky fishing peers.
guest
Posted 5/23/2013 6:19 AM (#642763 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener


Possibly, catching one!
muskyhunter47
Posted 5/23/2013 6:31 AM (#642764 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 1638


Location: Minnesota
I use some of the same buck tails as for pike as I do for muskies. as for net there is no law to say what size net you have to use. if they ask tell them your pike fishing.
horsehunter
Posted 5/23/2013 6:33 AM (#642765 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Location: Eastern Ontario
I don't put fishing rods in my boat till the musky season opens because most people on the lake know I fish only muskies. I disagree with the size of the net comment and if I fished walleye or pike that open before the muskie I would be carrying everything necessary to QUICKLY land and release any muskie encountered when all species are present.
Guest
Posted 5/23/2013 6:34 AM (#642766 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener


surely you jest
FishingFool
Posted 5/23/2013 7:17 AM (#642771 - in reply to #642766)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener




Location: Eau Claire,WI
NOTHING!!!
I reported 2 guys musky fishing before the season a few years ago.Warden told me that there was NO way to prove that theye were targeting muskies.Said if they went to court the judge would have asked if they could have been after pike,which is open! These guys then called and reprted I was killing sturgeon!!! I got a vist from the warden on the water! I was NOT doing anything with the beasts,I was walleye fishing... Imagine that,a guy obeying the law gets a talking to but the law breakers don't get anything!!! There were some heated words on the water,they were within 10 feet of me as I was on the phone to the DNR!!! I even repostioned my boat so they couldn't cast to an area I saw a musky laying.
muskyhunter47
Posted 5/23/2013 7:36 AM (#642776 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 1638


Location: Minnesota
when it comes down to it most people will do the right thing.I haven't even put the boat in the water yet. I'm shur I'll take it out this weekend just to make shur every thing is running right.
Junkman
Posted 5/23/2013 8:03 AM (#642780 - in reply to #642776)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 1220


This is (admittedly) not exactly on the line of the thread...but, during the first PMTT event at Cave Run this year, all the musky boats (around 80) had to sit and wait while a similar number of bass guys started their tournament from the same boat ramp. At dinner that night, about eight of us had a discussion as to whether the bass guys in this (or any other similar event for that matter) were likely to have caught more muskies than we did. Surprisingly, (or not) a lot of us thought they probably had. Now, add to that the fact that very early season musky in water under 60 degrees are not exactly "ferocious" fighters and can usually be handled quite well on light tackle. My Point?? Just go bass (or walleye) fishing. Simply no need to play games about "I was pike fishing," or giving the musky crowd a bad name. Besides, my PB Northern was 47" caught on a 2" "Flicker-Shad" in a walleye tournament. A musky that was, at one time, my PB was 48" easily boated on a 2" green pumpkin tube on 8 lb test in a bass event. Simply no need to be a violator! Marty Forman
muskiediem
Posted 5/23/2013 8:20 AM (#642784 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener


I agree with junkman. Also, if you need to throw with big tackle for some reason, take all the hooks off and you won't have to worry about hooking into one. The season starts the same time on the same weekend every year for everyone. I was watching a past video of Eagle River PMTT and the winners were using open faced reels with about 3" baits. Forgot the month it was in though.
beerforthemuskygods
Posted 5/23/2013 8:31 AM (#642786 - in reply to #642725)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 410


Location: one foot over the line
MuskieFever - 5/22/2013 8:24 PM

Being known as, 'that guy.'


x2
dfkiii
Posted 5/23/2013 8:51 AM (#642797 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener





Location: Sawyer County, WI
There are so many other species to catch legally why bother with musky ? The season opens soon enough.
wicked
Posted 5/23/2013 9:06 AM (#642804 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Location: sneaking out to get on the water ;-)
Bad juju. May karma have its way with them. I know a couple guys that do. Stopped fishing or associating with them. Won't lend a hand to help them land one ever again as I had before knowing they had no respect for the fish or the re.st of us
The Swan
Posted 5/23/2013 9:59 AM (#642829 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener


Thirty lashes. Obey the law.
sellc8675
Posted 5/23/2013 11:17 AM (#642851 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 75


Go out "bass fishing" with baby girls and showgirls my 6'2'' legend tournament split grip looks just like a bass rod. Or don't go if your that worried about it. Normally all you catch is bass but every now and then you get to at least see one.

Edited by sellc8675 5/23/2013 11:20 AM
nocturnalmotors
Posted 5/23/2013 11:20 AM (#642852 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener





Posts: 373


Location: Maine Township, MN
They should take your license away for a year along with a fine.
FAT-SKI
Posted 5/23/2013 11:32 AM (#642856 - in reply to #642852)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 1360


Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished
nocturnalmotors - 5/23/2013 11:20 AM

They should take your license away for a year along with a fine.


---
+1,

The only problem with this is it is almost impossible to prove that the accused person was fishing muskies. Unless they have a fish in the net and it was caught on all the correct gear.

I fish Tonka year round and not just for musky. I have caught a few while bass and crappie fishing using light tackle but still had my musky net (only net I own) Thank goodness I did too, otherwise release would not have been as clean and tidy. But if you are out on Tonka, pre fishing muskies outside of the season, using 9' rods, Huge baitcaster reels, throwing double 10s and figure8ing at the boat. You should definatly lose your ability to fish for the rest of that year, plus add on a hefty fine. But without all of the things that I just listed, there is no real way to prove that they are or are not, fishing muskies intentionally.

Edited by FAT-SKI 5/23/2013 11:34 AM
Brad P
Posted 5/23/2013 11:39 AM (#642857 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 833


Poor Form IMO, espiecally if the fish are spawning. Is it really so hard to wait 2-3 more weeks depending on where you live? If you need to go so bad, drive to IA or Southern WI.
guest
Posted 5/23/2013 12:23 PM (#642865 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener


"The only problem with this is it is almost impossible to prove that the accused person was fishing muskies. Unless they have a fish in the net and it was caught on all the correct gear."

What is the correct gear? What if they were bass or northern pike fishing? Having a muskie in a net outside of a season proves they were FISHING nothing more nothing less!
jonnysled
Posted 5/23/2013 12:27 PM (#642867 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener





Posts: 13688


Location: minocqua, wi.
got my first musky yesterday ... ate a rattlin' rogue, so did some nice smallies and one dumb walleye.

fun stuff!
Born
Posted 5/23/2013 12:28 PM (#642868 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 153


Location: MN
I caught a 39" muskie trolling for walleyes on a minnow rap and 6# test, good thing I had the muskie net in the boat.


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T_Peterzen55
Posted 5/23/2013 12:28 PM (#642869 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener





Posts: 117


I won't associate myself with people who "pike fish" before the muskie season opens. Everyone knows those guys are Muskie fishing, just leave the Muskies alone and let them spawn correctly without being harassed. No reason to be doing something shady like that, just go catch some Bass or Walleyes....the season will come and you will have plenty of time to chase Muskies.

This topic always gets me rattled and fired up!
FAT-SKI
Posted 5/23/2013 2:04 PM (#642891 - in reply to #642865)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 1360


Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished
guest - 5/23/2013 12:23 PM

"The only problem with this is it is almost impossible to prove that the accused person was fishing muskies. Unless they have a fish in the net and it was caught on all the correct gear."

What is the correct gear? What if they were bass or northern pike fishing? Having a muskie in a net outside of a season proves they were FISHING nothing more nothing less!

-----

I don't think you read the rest of my post. Make sure to finish reading before commenting
muskyhunter47
Posted 5/23/2013 2:13 PM (#642893 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 1638


Location: Minnesota
the only thing I knew growing up was pike fishing. dad had a 14 foot boat 5 1/2 Johnson all he did was troll for pike he did not know how to fish for walleye.I all ways wanted to did for musky but he did not.I started to fish musky 14 years ago caught my first musky opener of bass fishing. all I have in my boat is musky gear so when I fish pike or bass I'll use my light musky gear.as for a net all I have ids a musky net. in the last 14 years I caught 2 fish out of season.
Obfuscate Musky
Posted 5/23/2013 2:16 PM (#642896 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 654


Location: MPLS, MN
They should open tiger only lakes on pike opener so the musky guys don't poach on the natural musky lakes.
dfkiii
Posted 5/23/2013 3:12 PM (#642905 - in reply to #642868)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener





Location: Sawyer County, WI

That's a musky net ?

Born - 5/23/2013 12:28 PM

I caught a 39" muskie trolling for walleyes on a minnow rap and 6# test, good thing I had the muskie net in the boat.
Born
Posted 5/24/2013 6:07 AM (#642997 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 153


Location: MN
No its for minnows.

I like the way you think Obfuscate Musky
guest
Posted 5/24/2013 6:30 AM (#642998 - in reply to #642856)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener


"But if you are out on Tonka, pre fishing muskies outside of the season, using 9' rods, Huge baitcaster reels, throwing double 10s and figure8ing at the boat. You should definatly lose your ability to fish for the rest of that year, plus add on a hefty fine. But without all of the things that I just listed, there is no real way to prove that they are or are not, fishing muskies intentionally."

Let me help you out here. I think what you meant to say was absent an angler being in POSSESSION of a muskie it is impossible to prove they are intentionally fishing muskies. Sorry, I looked through the MN fishing regulations and there are no applicable restrictions on bass, walleye, or northern pike gear. Also no mention of "figure eights" being illegal outside of muskie season.
If you feel uncomfortable using "bigger" gear outside of muskie season don"t do it! Save us the lecture.
DLC
Posted 5/24/2013 7:35 AM (#643004 - in reply to #642998)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 82


There is a thing called being an ethical sportsman. If you know your in the wrong and that little voice is telling you so you probably shouldn't. Also when you do crape like that it makes getting new waters that much harder as it only reenforces the image of muskie fishermen thinking they are above everyone else.
jonnysled
Posted 5/24/2013 7:38 AM (#643005 - in reply to #643004)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener





Posts: 13688


Location: minocqua, wi.
DLC - 5/24/2013 7:35 AM
it only reenforces the image of muskie fishermen thinking they are above everyone else.


we're really good at that!
Medford Fisher
Posted 5/24/2013 8:02 AM (#643012 - in reply to #643004)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 1058


Location: Medford, WI
DLC - 5/24/2013 7:35 AM

There is a thing called being an ethical sportsman. If you know you're in the wrong and that little voice is telling you so you probably shouldn't. Also when you do crape like that it makes getting new waters that much harder as it only reenforces the image of muskie fishermen thinking they are above everyone else.


Couldn't have said it any better...it's not about what MAY be legal or what MAY NOT be illegal as many have stated. It's about doing the right thing...something that many people don't think about anymore.

guest
Posted 5/24/2013 8:09 AM (#643014 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener


Have we agreed on what is the right thing?
I don"t want to see you speeding on the highway this weekend. Stay in the right lane and obey that little voice inside your head. Remember, speed kills.
beerforthemuskygods
Posted 5/24/2013 8:35 AM (#643021 - in reply to #643014)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 410


Location: one foot over the line
guest - 5/24/2013 8:09 AM

Have we agreed on what is the right thing?
I don"t want to see you speeding on the highway this weekend. Stay in the right lane and obey that little voice inside your head. Remember, speed kills.



Congratulations! You are now "that guy".
Hammskie
Posted 5/24/2013 8:44 AM (#643025 - in reply to #643005)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener





Posts: 697


Location: Minnetonka
jonnysled - 5/24/2013 7:38 AM

DLC - 5/24/2013 7:35 AM
it only reenforces the image of muskie fishermen thinking they are above everyone else.

we're really good at that!

Come on. We all know bass fishermen are above everyone.
jonnysled
Posted 5/24/2013 8:49 AM (#643026 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener





Posts: 13688


Location: minocqua, wi.
Hammskie ... musky fishermen make trout guys look like rednecks
dfkiii
Posted 5/24/2013 9:39 AM (#643041 - in reply to #643026)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener





Location: Sawyer County, WI
Aren't they ?

jonnysled - 5/24/2013 8:49 AM

Hammskie ... musky fishermen make trout guys look like rednecks
Guest
Posted 5/24/2013 11:46 AM (#643076 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener


With exception of purely natural Muskie lakes that don't get stalked most Muskie spawning is not successful anyways. So can you really cause problems by catching Muskies while spawning? Something to think about I guess.
Pointerpride102
Posted 5/24/2013 11:56 AM (#643080 - in reply to #643076)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener





Posts: 16632


Location: The desert
Guest - 5/24/2013 10:46 AM

With exception of purely natural Muskie lakes that don't get stalked most Muskie spawning is not successful anyways. So can you really cause problems by catching Muskies while spawning? Something to think about I guess.


I think stalking is a whole different crime.
Ja Rule
Posted 5/24/2013 12:02 PM (#643083 - in reply to #643021)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 415


beerforthemuskygods - 5/24/2013 8:35 AM

guest - 5/24/2013 8:09 AM

Have we agreed on what is the right thing?
I don"t want to see you speeding on the highway this weekend. Stay in the right lane and obey that little voice inside your head. Remember, speed kills.



Congratulations! You are now "that guy".


It's pretty obvious he is. Why be so defensive if not.
gmittlestadt
Posted 5/24/2013 12:18 PM (#643086 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener


As I was working on docks last night I watched three guys casting for muskies. Pretty obvious when there's a huge net, muskie rods, and slow twitching dawgs. Some eminent muskie people up here are always casting for northerns this time of year and have no problem telling you with a smirk.
sworrall
Posted 5/24/2013 12:26 PM (#643088 - in reply to #642707)
Subject: Re: fishing before muskie opener





Posts: 32886


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
I fish Pike some during the Spring. I use 10# mono on a light rod, and a bass sized spinnerbait, or a little creature so there's no confusion.
FAT-SKI
Posted 5/24/2013 2:40 PM (#643116 - in reply to #643014)
Subject: RE: fishing before muskie opener




Posts: 1360


Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished
guest - 5/24/2013 8:09 AM

Have we agreed on what is the right thing?
I don"t want to see you speeding on the highway this weekend. Stay in the right lane and obey that little voice inside your head. Remember, speed kills.

---

ODE to the good ol'e guest post, what a world it would be without them...

Edited by FAT-SKI 5/24/2013 2:57 PM