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Posts: 122
| Just curious question.... we fish a little lake with Shoepac strain muskie the DNR site says 40 inches due to smaller growth on that strain. Can you keep a smaller one? I had a 40 plus Shoepac and NO I would not have taken her home.... of maybe if record fish she was close! Gorgeous fish! |
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Posts: 411
Location: Waconia,MN | Why would you want to keep one? Let em go, let em grow. Oh my bad I didn't see the NO I wouldn't have taken one home...
Edited by muskie tamer 6/7/2014 11:15 PM
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| there not fit to eat, take a picture let em grow |
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Location: Chisholm, MN | Shoepack can get to upper 40" class if they are in the right lake. I've seen some pretty big ones. No reason to ever kill a musky regardless of strain. |
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Location: The desert | woodieb8 - 6/8/2014 7:49 AM
there not fit to eat, take a picture let em grow
How are they not fit to eat? |
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Location: oswego, il | If the size limit is 40" then no you cannot keep one under that limit. I see what you are saying though but maybe the 40" size limit there more or less makes it catch and release for a reason? |
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Posts: 374
Location: Bemidji | We got a gorgeous 42in Shoepac a few years ago on Mantrap. At the time I wasn't hungry enough to eat it. |
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Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Pointerpride102 - 6/8/2014 9:57 AM
woodieb8 - 6/8/2014 7:49 AM
there not fit to eat, take a picture let em grow
How are they not fit to eat?
PP- What's the MN DNR's take on the age of a ~40" Shoepac? What about likely mercury & pcb levels? Wouldn't the levels be very similar to large northern pike? Would you feed one to your pregnant wife or children? I think like northern pike, any fish larger than 36" is likely carrying a good dose of toxins.
Have fun!
Al |
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| I'd like to see a picture of a 'gorgeous' Shoepack musky! |
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| If I'm not mistaken, shoepacks don't fall under any other regulation set but those for 'normal' muskies. So currently you could keep one >48", and next year it has to be >54". So you can not keep one in MN.
Correct me if I'm wrong. |
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Posts: 1000
| jaultman - 6/9/2014 9:15 AM
If I'm not mistaken, shoepacks don't fall under any other regulation set but those for 'normal' muskies. So currently you could keep one >48", and next year it has to be >54". So you can not keep one in MN.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
You are correct.
A 40" Shoepack strain is exceptionally rare. I doubt a *pure* Shoepack has or ever will come anywhere near 54". Gorgeous fish though and a blast to chase. I think any real enthusiast should make a special canoe trip to Shoepack lake or one of the significant Shoepack lakes (Crescent, Dumbell). Much higher density than normal muskie populations. I want to get a fly rod just for them. |
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Posts: 122
| I was just curious is all! We fish Dumbbell lake and I know where an over 40 incher is! She got off right at the boat! The website lake finder says can keep over 40 even when the size was 48.... I think the DNR needs to change the shoepac lake strains lakefinder info!
I recommend Shoepac strain for taking someone new out they are fun fish and catch several a day in 20 inch plus range and they follow anything so it is fun! BE AWARE Dumb Bell lake is super dangerous..... we thought we knew all the shallow out of blue spots and forth time on lake hit a rock with the prop! Lake is super dangerous so watch map and go slow he wary |
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Posts: 122
| No WAY would I have had the heart to take that beauty home... very healthy and unmarked by lines for the most part... I just couldn't do it..... I was just curious as lake finder and prior Shoepac sit in a different take home inch size.... DNR needs to update info.
Besides there is no Shoepac Muskie record on DNR site but they should start one!  I wanna see how big they CAN get! |
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Location: The desert | ESOX Maniac - 6/9/2014 5:21 AM
Pointerpride102 - 6/8/2014 9:57 AM
woodieb8 - 6/8/2014 7:49 AM
there not fit to eat, take a picture let em grow
How are they not fit to eat?
PP- What's the MN DNR's take on the age of a ~40" Shoepac? What about likely mercury & pcb levels? Wouldn't the levels be very similar to large northern pike? Would you feed one to your pregnant wife or children? I think like northern pike, any fish larger than 36" is likely carrying a good dose of toxins.
Have fun!
Al
No idea on the age of that strain.
I'd have no issue feeding anyone one meal a month, if they were an "at risk group". Non "at risk group" I wouldn't think twice about it. |
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Posts: 437
| The size limits for shoepac only lakes is probably only 40. It used to be anyway though I havent looked in years because I never fish those lakes. Just look in the Lakes with Special Regulations for the answer. But saying that its "54" isnt true either because the DNR has the ability to adjust on certain lakes even with this new rule. |
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Posts: 89
| I know a lake that I fish has Shopacs. I know that Mantrap was a brood lake for Shoepacs and I'm not really sure if there are any left in there.
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Posts: 122
| Little Moose had Shoepac way back...haven't caught one, Dumbbell, homestead, orange lake, Shoepac lake, Cresant Lake.... |
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Posts: 122
| I would put a picture up if I could do so on my smart phone. They are pretty fish and aggressive so it is fun to play with them to get them to bite.... kind of in between a northern and muskie attack aggressive wise. We usually catch several during day light sunny days and I like how they pop my lure clear out of the water! It is an awesome site.
I was tinkering with catching a small mouth bass and had one hit the underside of the boat in three feet of water to go after the bass. She scared my bass away  |
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Posts: 69
| Moose and deer In itasca county were stocked multiple times with shoepac fish. there are very few in either lake that are 100% shoepac most are mixed with the native fish. |
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Posts: 455
| I have seen them on the Chalk river system in Ontario. Not sure why you would want to keep one. Even though the populations seam strong I have a feeling the fish are slow growing and old. |
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Posts: 122
| muskyrat - 6/14/2014 8:25 PM
I have seen them on the Chalk river system in Ontario. Not sure why you would want to keep one. Even though the populations seam strong I have a feeling the fish are slow growing and old.
I wouldn't keep one just curious.... I asked a DNR that stopped us grouse hunting and even he didn't know off hand I have a curious mind..... with that said I would like to know how big they can get... I can measure the ones I catch.. so would know biggest we catch and put back..... so far a 36 incher biggest on... but I wish they had their own state record for that strain more for curiosity sake. Any of state record was x inchers personal satisfaction to know I caught a worthy trophy when I do catch a nice one.
Seems *points to above* Not a ton of interest in this strain per say |
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Posts: 122
| I am on it... if I venture to the shoepac strain again... I am going for that 40 incher to measure and release! I guess I will have to stick to personal best.
That is what is the biggest shoepac anyone has caught? |
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Posts: 1039
Location: North St. Paul, MN | Same...36", two on back to back casts at the end of a thirteen shoepac day!
Edited by muskyroller 6/15/2014 3:17 PM
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Posts: 122
| I like the hunt! We caught about 2 same lake different spots! As you know a person gets a few more fish fishing shoepac... oddly enough one spot we kept going has to be one here...has to should hold a big one...... never seen one... finally last day fishing a 40 inch plus fish had to be at least 40 not too much bigger latched on.... right up to the boat side... husband grabbed net... shake head and off she swam.
While I usually hunt closer to home for fish closer to 48 inches (not taking them home either... calm down peeps... may measure for replica if super big fish) any how once in a blue moon we go for the shoepac get away.... almost as fun a hunt for me since I don't hear of them getting too big or maybe they do just don't hear stories. I am hunting for a nicer shoepac for a picture... |
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| Nelll
sone possible sources about shopepac and history/genetics
you might try calling Jerry Younk who is a musky bio with Minn DNR
or if you can find a contact,,,Bob Strand retired dnr bio who is preety much the father of the Minnesoata nusky program has we know it
also DR Loren Miller at the U of M came and talked to our TC chapter and has done research on muskie genetics,,,he actually has a chart with % of shoepec genteics in certain Northern Minn lakes
and about 20? pluse years ago there was an actual study done maybe dnr has it somewhere |
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Posts: 455
| I don`t think they get much bigger than 40" based on what I have seen. Of coarse I only fished them on the Chalk where the genetics are pure and untouched. I would think there are lakes in MN with regular muskies that will never get 54". That is basically a C+R only regulation. |
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Posts: 122
| Thanks!!! I originally wanted to he a DNR so did my husband... instead we guess, speculate, and enjoy hunting and fishing... not enough jobs in it.... I still love learning and enjoying the great outdoors. |
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Posts: 1828
| Nell - 6/15/2014 3:07 PM
That is what is the biggest shoepac anyone has caught?
I've caught 38 and 39" shoepack, while a buddy of mine has caught 42 and a 43" shoepacks. I'll see if he'll post the 43 inch picture. Fatty.
I think they're pretty ugly. |
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Posts: 122
| Good to know.... they are nice fish. One day I want to fish shoepac lake... though according to DNR they are smaller because of lake size. Still be fun to go to the middle of no where to fish... plus a bunch are tagged and DNR wants to track them... measure and put back supposedly slower growing then other lakes. St |
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