This is definitely not an in lieu of Muskies inc membership, I'm a huge supporter of Muskies inc especially the people behind it. The reality is MI has a blanket interest that cannot at times address issues of the individual state. Generally these issues are DNR or Legislative and focus on one specific issue or lake in the state. 

To successfully address these issues it takes a broad knowledge and understanding of the people involved and knowing who and how to address the issue, addressing these issues is too large of a burden both physically and financially for small clubs. Its far to much for any individual to carry on their own or even 10 people.

I know are efforts are working, to date their has been no adverse legislation this year, there are several factors in play for that outcome and we are one of them; but its far from over.

If I had the money I would fund it all and never ask anything of anyone, I believe in it and will give and sacrifice personally for the MMPA and MI all I can. I dont believe in taking from something I willingly give my time, money and love for. On the other hand I cant lose my house to sit at the capital. If I was retired I would live there, and I plan to.

We have been pushed to this from those who hate us, our fish, the bureaucracy's and legislature, if I knew for a fact that any of those players would not willingly do damage to our fish and the water they live in I would sit back and just enjoy the outdoors.

I dont look the price of the things I love and live for; I look at the cost of life without them. If $25.00 is too much we understand, we will gladly take "any" donation in any amount if you cannot afford a membership. Ive been broke, many of us have; and time are tough, I know what its like to have little or less than that. 

Hey Brian; I would say over the past 6-7 years of my involvement at least 50% of our efforts are Pike related, from removal of all slot lakes, Cass Lake spearing ban and adding trophy lakes like Red, working hands on with Pike surveys; to the addressing of Pike in the 2020 Long Range plan and much more. Previous to my involvement the organization as well as those doing the work with the old MMA spent allot of time with Pike issues.

This was the sole reason for the change of name, we devote allot of time to the proper management of Pike, if you look in our Esox research center on our website you'll see 15 citations addressing Pike and 18 on Muskie.

We take Pike fishing very seriously and to my knowledge are the only group in the country with as much involvement in Pike related issues.

Here is a link to the 2020 plan

  http://www.michapter54.com/pubfolder/PDF/muskiepike_2020.pdf

Our Mission and purpose states: 

The purposes of the MMPA are to promote the preservation and conservation of Muskellunge and Northern Pike as natural resources and to advance education, studies, and research of these species. This includes, but is not limited to, protection of habitat, continuing and preventing water pollution, supporting regulations of angling methods and limits, and openly working and communicating with the Minnesota DNR and other organizations in order to benefit the continuation and expansion of  the high quality of Muskellunge and Northern Pike; and their respective Minnesota programs.

Heres a post from a couple weeks ago speaking to the largess of the Pike issue

 http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=72157&posts=2&start=1

As well anyone who signs up for MMPA membership is eligible for a chance to win a Tranx Reel courtesy of the MMPA and we'll have random drawings all 3 days for prizes courtesy of Lindner Media Productions and others(more details later).

Our hope is 2 of the Big reels and many other prizes, about $1500.00 worth; so stop by and most importantly have some fun.Dont forget to bring the wife, kids and friends, Chapter 1 and the Expo are letting kids build their own baits again for free.

 Heres a list of how we do not compete

How the Minnesota Muskie and Pike Alliance (MMPA) does not compete    against Muskies Inc. (MI)

MI provides monthly meetings, MMPA does not.

MI has guest speakers, MMPA does not.

MI has Banquets, MMPA does not.

MI has fishing tournaments, MMPA does not.

MI has summer league fishing, MMPA does not.

MI has youth events, MMPA does not.

MI has a Lunge Log, MMPA does not.

MI has a fish replica for the largest fish, MMPA does not.

MI has summer picnics, MMPA does not.

MI stocks Muskies, MMPA does not.

MI offers a commemorative lure, MMPA does not.

MI has a magazine, MMPA does not.

MI has a calendar, MMPA does not.

MI has involvement with many states, MMPA does not.

MI provides insurance for tournaments, MMPA does not.

MI provides a Tax system for Chapters, MMPA does not.

MI is driven by one species, MMPA is not.

So what does the MMPA do the MI does not or cannot do?

MMPA has a grassroots action center for all to use to stop adverse legislation, MI does not.

MMPA hires representation for Muskie and Pike issues at the MN State Capitol, MI does not.

MMPA organizes testimony at the MN State Capitol on adverse bills, MI does not.

MMPA creates informational pamphlets for education regarding Minnesota specific Muskie and Pike issues, MI does not.

MMPA works for a better Pike fishery, MI does not.

MMPA provides information and promotion on events and banquets of all MMPA affiliates and MN MI chapters. MI does not.

MMPA provides information from the MN DNR to all MN chapters, MI does not.

MMPA opens up voting membership to other groups, MI does not.

MMPA works with “all” MN chapters and affiliates to get information to; and have meetings with stakeholders to get fish stocked in new lakes, MI does not.

MMPA provides a monthly conduit to all its members statewide, MI does not.

MMPA travels to meetings all across the state providing information and testimony to Local/State Government, Non Government orgs; and concerned citizens about water, fish and land use, MI does not.

MMPA provides communication for each MN chapter or member to be involved in the process statewide; therefore we all move forward together, MI does not.

MMPA provides a research library for Muskie and Pike for all to use, MI does not.

MMPA provides a Legislative Education Fund to support local legislators who are friends of the fishery, MI does not.

MMPA provides a statewide think-tank involving anyone that cares about the fish to be involved, MI does not.

This is what we the MMPA do; we do not concern ourselves with the internal politics or affairs of Muskies Inc.

The MMPA does not compete against chapters for money by taking from the available resources; such as industry or guided trips for banquets, tournaments and events. Most people are traveling to 2 and 3 banquets or tournaments a year as it is. We have no business taking services and product from these chapters.

The MMPA and MI do for each other what the other cannot do financially or legally, we work together for the betterment of the fishery; not in competition.

The MMPA needs to be funded to continue, we can no longer operate with pennies in reserve. We can no longer look to our membership to fund 100% of the MMPA’s commitment to Muskies and Pike; or the anglers, this expense can be shared.

We work very hard and have dedicated huge portions of our lives to promote the fish, the member’s causes, or events; in such a way to make Muskies inc., the fish, the MMPA more successful, understood and accepted. MMPA is the Voice of Muskies and Pike in MN.

The MMPA through the associate memberships; will show non-MI members what MI and its partners in the MMPA are doing to make fishing better in MN. Providing opportunities for them to volunteer and work with MI members through field work and see what MI is doing to make this a great fishery.

We see no competition for membership, neither offers what the other does, if anything it will get people that do not understand what the local MI chapters and associated groups do and get them involved in the chapters; even if they don’t want to be MI members for personal reasons they may become our most dedicated supporter.

We have to keep in mind what’s most important, the fish.

As associate member you dont have a vote, its no different than joining DU PF or MI. MMPA business is not fun, the officers and chapter reps are the people who are generally willing to do the heavy work for their groups and organizations if its at church, Muskies inc or at the Capitol. The dont mind the abuse or the struggles because they know its for the good of the fish. Muskies Inc is all about fun, I think some chapters have more fun than others and Ive seen fun chapters turn into board meetings with little flexibility.

Muskie inc should be all about what is fun and good about fishing Muskies and getting to know people.

If a Muskies inc = Fun, MMPA =no fun X all the things people hate. The few that do it and know its right do it because we want to see a better fishery for Pike and Muskies. Our message never changes our core group supports each other and most people know and understand the sacrifices made for them and Muskies Inc.