MN DNR representative to the Minnesota Muskie Alliance Jim Lilienthal handed out at the MMA meeting over the weekend a statement which said:

Status of MMA Tournament Proposal

 The proposal from MMA for muskie tournaments calls for reducing the number of tournaments and for denial of the use of judge boats in muskie tournaments. Fisheries senior management reviewed the MMA proposal and then compared it with the language found in Minnesota Tournament rules and statute. In any case, Fisheries can deny or modify applications to protect fish and fish habitat based on a resonable review of the law.

However, a decision to deny an application must be based on a reasonable interpretation of rule and statue. Based on this, Fisheries lacks the authority to limit the total number of muskie tournaments conducyted statewide. However, the number of Muskies tournaments conducted during any one month on individual lakes will continue to be scrutinized with a eye toward conservation of muskie. In the same way, Fisheries is unable to issue a blanket deniel regarding the use of judge boats, but instead must review each application individually.

 Other related stuff: Also three of the 4 major tournament promoters, Jason Summers of the Profesional Musky Tournament Trail (PMTT) Paul Hartman of the Minnesota Muskie Tournaments and Steve Cady of the Minnesota Musky Championship Trail Have asked the MN DNR to participate in a round table discussion on proper management of Musky tournaments. Representatives of each Muskies Inc. chapter will also be invitied to participate. For more information contact Jason Summers at [email protected]

I asked one of the alliance co chairs to attend and he felt that tournament promoters should meet with DNR reps first to work things out. I have the opinion that we are all on the same team and want the same things in the long run so we have decided to approach each chapter and see if they would like to attend and bring their chapters input.

The alliance is members are made up of the eleven chapters of Muskies Inc. We have decided to invite a represntative from each chapter so aking the alliance to be involved is a little overkill when the alliance reps are already there.

By the way just as a side note... Approx. 87% of the fishermen involved in last years PMTT event and Paul Hartman's tournament were Muskies Inc. members.

0723

As far as the alliance leaders they are:

Co-chair: Rollie Olson President of the North Metro chapter of Muskies Inc.
[email protected]

Co-Chair: John Skarie President of the Fargo-Moorhead chapter of Muskies Inc.
[email protected]

As far as joining the alliance you'd have to ask the co-chairs. I know that they haven't had alot of time to work on the by laws and such but are now going to start on that and on how other groups are allowed in.