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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | With all the new regulations coming out, size limit changes, stocking programs, CPR, seminars, guides, basically everything to launch this sport into the future. Will we see bigger fish? Have we maxed out? I've heard talk about the big fish lakes (mille lacs, Green bay, lac seul, Eagle, vermillion) peaking out. Will they continue to produce these monsters? |
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| no bigger fish,for 2 simple reasons,pollution and more and more musky fishermans but not nececerly better cpr's. a good start would be to see the semi cpr's,change if we want to see bigger fishs for our childs! |
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Posts: 32885
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Conservation.
Growth in the sport as a segment.
More waters coming of age and being 'discovered'.
A general spreading out of the pressure as 'hot spots' become well known and emphasis is moved to all.
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Posts: 1168
| From an equipment standpoint who knows. I bet 15 years ago no one could have imagined the impact GPS technology would have. The types of boats and rods have gone high tech, lightweight materials to wear so you don't freeze your tookus off. But yet you can still take a chunk of wood, hang some hooks on it and there will still be a muskie that will eat it.
I'm going to partially disagree on the increased pollution. Take the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. Very industrial and have really been cleaned up over the past couple of decades. What were unihabitable are now thriving muskie fisheries. On some of your more pristine wilderness lakes this would apply more but there are places where it is improving.
The one area that I would hope we see a drastic improvement is in the biological understanding of muskies which in turn could really help identifying which strains are best suited for specific water. By understanding them more than we do now it would be a big benefit in creating more naturally sustaining populations. |
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Posts: 143
| everyone will see the light and stop fishing for muskies and go scuba diving instead. |
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Posts: 8779
| I think it's going to get better in some places and increased pressure will cause a decline in others.
I think we're already reaching a point where even the die hards are fishing less because of the rising costs of gas and a weakening economy. Lots of folks will be downsizing over the next few years I'm afraid -- smaller boats, smaller trucks, fewer trips, lots more fishing "close to home". I think WI, MN, and Canada will start to see a pretty big decline in the number of out of state anglers coming across the border on a regular basis.
As for the fishing?
It's going to get better in places with pollution issues as we slowly clean up the mess we've made of our lakes and rivers. It's going to get better in places where we've implemented higher size limits. It's going to get better in the newer fisheries. (all provided that VHS doesn't cause unforeseen die offs)
I think it's set to decline in MN however, both due to increased angling pressure and to the fact that eventually the musky fisheries will stabilize as they mature more. Think about the first introductions of muskies in an ecosystem for a moment: More forage than there will ever be, no competetion for that forage, and forage that's not contitioned to predation. Makes for a population of muskies that can basically eat at will.
Where will muskie fishing be in 10 years? I suspect there will be a greater percentage of anglers chasing muskies, but fishing in general will see a decline as fewer people can afford it.
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Location: Illinois | -Green Bay will produce a World Record that won't be officially recognized
-Mille Lacs and the Big V will come back to earth *somewhat*
-Muskies will be stocked in Chicago Lake Michigan
-MuskiesFirst will have near 10,000 registered users, prompting Steve Worrall to commission "Operation Slam'r Cloning"
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Posts: 427
Location: Wausau | Here are the stocking reports for Mille Lacs. I went back to the 88 class b/c those are the fish that should be dead or 50" plus. With the large number of fish stocked yearly - I would think the system will continue to support and produce BIG fish as long as we continue to support and respect the resource in return...at least I hope so!
Lake Date Species Strain Size # of LBS # of Fish Stocked
Mille Lacs 28-Oct-99 MUE LLB FGL 502 1556
Mille Lacs 22-Oct-99 MUE LLB FGL 484 1611
Mille Lacs 14-Oct-99 MUE LLB FGL 49 226
Mille Lacs 23-Oct-97 MUE LLB FGL 111 500
Mille Lacs 2-Oct-97 MUE LLB FGL 651 3000
Mille Lacs 27-Oct-95 MUE LLB FGL 66 300
Mille Lacs 12-Oct-95 MUE LLB FGL 474 2607
Mille Lacs 5-Oct-95 MUE LLB FGL 136 544
Mille Lacs 26-Oct-93 MUE LLB FGL 11 65
Mille Lacs 26-Oct-93 MUE LLB FGL 25 152
Mille Lacs 26-Oct-93 MUE LLB FGL 1 6
Mille Lacs 25-Oct-93 MUE LLB FGL 318 985
Mille Lacs 18-Oct-93 MUE LLB FGL 250 1326
Mille Lacs 7-Oct-93 MUE LLB FGL 58 219
Mille Lacs 8-Oct-92 MUE LLB FGL 295 1180
Mille Lacs 17-Sep-92 MUE LLB FGL 278 2137
Mille Lacs 2-Sep-92 MUE LLB FGL 295 1683
Mille Lacs 30-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 25 173
Mille Lacs 30-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 183 987
Mille Lacs 30-Oct-91 MUE LLB ADL 63 21
Mille Lacs 30-Oct-91 MUE LLB ADL 214 89
Mille Lacs 29-Oct-91 MUE LLB ADL 167 71
Mille Lacs 29-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 79 630
Mille Lacs 29-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 2 17
Mille Lacs 29-Oct-91 MUE LLB YRL 85 60
Mille Lacs 25-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 5 38
Mille Lacs 25-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 112 235
Mille Lacs 25-Oct-91 MUE LLB YRL 8 6
Mille Lacs 25-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 311 1413
Mille Lacs 25-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 74 296
Mille Lacs 23-Oct-91 MUE LLB ADL 6 3
Mille Lacs 23-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 21 126
Mille Lacs 23-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 70 147
Mille Lacs 23-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 222 888
Mille Lacs 18-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 261 1436
Mille Lacs 18-Oct-91 MUE LLB ADL 21 7
Mille Lacs 9-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 618 2102
Mille Lacs 4-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 2 12
Mille Lacs 3-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 378 1510
Mille Lacs 3-Oct-91 MUE LLB FGL 1 5
Mille Lacs 5-Nov-90 MUE LLB FGL 54 292
Mille Lacs 2-Nov-90 MUE LLB YRL 6 3
Mille Lacs 2-Nov-90 MUE LLB FGL 17 83
Mille Lacs 1-Nov-90 MUE LLB FGL 1 6
Mille Lacs 1-Nov-90 MUE WIS ADL 40 8
Mille Lacs 31-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 71 355
Mille Lacs 31-Oct-90 MUE LLB ADL 16 8
Mille Lacs 30-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 3 23
Mille Lacs 30-Oct-90 MUE WIS ADL 300 60
Mille Lacs 30-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 159 908
Mille Lacs 30-Oct-90 MUE LLB YRL 25 19
Mille Lacs 29-Oct-90 MUE WIS ADL 520 104
Mille Lacs 26-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 26 153
Mille Lacs 11-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 545 1471
Mille Lacs 11-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 287 1006
Mille Lacs 11-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 21 85
Mille Lacs 11-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 228 963
Mille Lacs 9-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 109 435
Mille Lacs 9-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 109 435
Mille Lacs 1-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 32 161
Mille Lacs 1-Oct-90 MUE LLB FGL 151 530
Mille Lacs 27-Sep-90 MUE LLB FGL 54 349
Mille Lacs 1-Nov-89 MUE WIS ADL 32 8
Mille Lacs 1-Nov-89 MUE LCH YRL 4 2
Mille Lacs 31-Oct-89 MUE LCH FGL 13 75
Mille Lacs 30-Oct-89 MUE LCH FGL 38 230
Mille Lacs 24-Oct-89 MUE WIS ADL 20 5
Mille Lacs 24-Oct-89 MUE LCH YRL 120 60
Mille Lacs 23-Oct-89 MUE LCH FGL 2 12
Mille Lacs 19-Oct-89 MUE WIS ADL 4 1
Mille Lacs 19-Oct-89 MUE LCH YRL 174 87
Mille Lacs 19-Oct-89 MUE LCH FGL 54 162
Mille Lacs 19-Oct-89 MUE LCH FGL 23 138
Mille Lacs 28-Sep-89 MUE LLB FGL 24 192
Mille Lacs 27-Sep-89 MUE LLB FGL 177 1417
Mille Lacs 22-Sep-89 MUE LLB FGL 500 2997
Mille Lacs 8-May-89 MUE WIS YRL 5 15
Mille Lacs 28-Apr-89 MUE LCH YRL 22 65
Mille Lacs 28-Apr-89 MUE WIS ADL 25 7
Mille Lacs 9-Nov-88 MUE WIS ADL 44 18
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Posts: 670
Location: Minnetonka , MN. | all the big fish in MN will be gone and everyone will be going to WI. Pollution???the lake are getting better every year. Back in the late 50's it was bad.
Edited by TECK 1/22/2008 5:46 PM
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| Rainy Lake will be planted with L.L. fish and it will be come the best musky lake in the world. (atleast I hope so) |
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Posts: 561
Location: Monee, Illinois | Just like bass fishing, stay the same, maybe a couple of more musky lakes and some more fisherman, as fast as they come to musky fishing so leave just as fast.....I mean we will see an improvement in fishing and fish class but it is what it is......As long as the health department doesnt come out and say musky are the best thing to eat to help all sickness it will be fine
pga |
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Posts: 315
| sorry not that video click...
[EDITOR:...that video's been beat to death plenty enough already...yes, there are people who handle fish poorly, and yes, that'll continue to be an issue...]
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Posts: 1287
Location: WI | Less out of state anglers is a bad thing? 
I don't see it changing much in the next 5 years. Hopefully a couple super fish will be caught somewhere and a couple 'new' places will get let out of the bag but that's about it. |
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Musky Nut Tackle will return with flaming hats and visors. |
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Posts: 7036
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | My take on things as I see it. And, remember, around here I'm always right, unless Lambeau deletes me:
-there will be more and more lakes with muskies in them.
-c&r will continue to spread as THE way to handle muskies and be practiced as a rule by a higher % of muskie fisherman
-more muskie fisherman will hit the water with a higher level of fishing knowledge than they do today. educational opportunities will be expanded with more muskie magazines sprouting up, more muskie focused websites, etc.
-technology will be used more and more as a weapon to catch more and bigger fish by more people. gps will become standard equipment for all muskie boats and sonar imagery will enable muskie fisherman to actually "see" better to what is going on under them.
-as muskie fisherman grow in numbers, there will be more muskie focused fishing gear coming out than there is now. more reels specifically for muskie fishing, more rods, more smaller AND larger bait companies creating new lures for the muskie audience.
but on the flipside.....
-the antis will still say that their lakes are crowded and still act as though sharing their lakes is a bad thing.
-the antis will still say that most people have no idea how to properly handle muskies, and that they are killing their muskies and crowding their lakes.
-the antis will still say that it's just not right that people dont have to learn everything on their own, just like they did. they'll say that people should EARN their way to fishing success, which i guess means they shouldnt catch fish becausee if they do then they're inproperly handling muskies on their lakes lakes which kills the fish when they shouldnt be there in the first place.
-the antis will say that you dont need fancy shmancy electronics to go catch fish, eventhough they have a gps and a sonar unit and a boat perfectly suited for how they want to fish.
-the antis will act as though more fisherman brings nothing positive. they will act as though the DNR would plant muskies even if no one but them and their three friends wanted to fish for muskies. they will find every way possible to deride anyone who is not totally attuned to their way of fishing, or their way of handling fish, or their theories on fishing.
-the antis will act as though the muskie internet is a horrible place where only stupid people go to read or post....and they will come back day after day after day after day.
thus endeth the sermon.
*0h, and esoxaddict will say over and over and over again that high gas prices will keep people from fishing. Muskie fisherman may buy a little less gear when times are hard, but they're still going to go to their "happy places", even if it means packing a lunch instead of stopping for mcd's, buying Basics instead of Marlboros, or going to Sam's Club instead of stopping on the way to the lake to get food. |
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| Also biologist will begin to be able to plant more musky due to the overwhelming evidence that Musky are much better for the trophic cascade of a lake than northern pike. True science will be implemented with less resistance and back wood biology will be dismissed. |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | US states will develop more muskie lakes and more folks will become muskie fisherman. As these lakes mature and bigger fish become available the Canadian fishery (NW Ontario) will grow more slowly than US fisheries, but still have high seasonal peaks for each lake or area.
Gas prices and the value of the US dollar will keep people closer to home, particularly if local lakes can produce big fish, and that seems to be happening already.
There will be some new developing fisheries that we don't suspect that will produce big fish!
More hot lures, bigger better reels, longer lighter rods, better electronics, more economical boats and motors, can't wait to see it all!
I certainly don't see muskie fishing declining in the next five years.
Doug Johnson |
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Posts: 267
Location: Right behind you (tap, tap) BOOO | One has to wonder if the rise of interest in the sport will drive the "non" die hards back to Walleyes and Bass. I mean look at the numbers of Musky fisherman 5-7 years ago compared to today. I have to believe there are significantly more anglers seeking the mighty musky and with this comes more pressure and decreasing success rates for the typical angler. At some point some of these anglers will get frustrated and hang it up to go back to bass and walleyes simply because they can catch more fish with fewer skunked outings.
Think about the lucky angler that caught a thick 55" Ski on their second outing ever, it would be easy for them to get a false sense that fish like that are the norm and they will be expecting similar results as the years go on and frustration will certainly set in.
I know my personal success rates have fallen over the last few years, hell last year I didn't even put one in the boat, I had my share of fish I couldn't get to the boat but that's another story. On the flip side my time on the water has decreased also, with a young family and less then ideal fishing windows to get on the water. Or I just plain suck, either way I still love being on the water and just seeing a follow gets my heart thumping, the day that stops I'll go to walleyes and bass.
I think with new waters coming and plenty of water to be discovered things will be fine, and we'll all adjust.
Do you think that new technology in baits rods and reels will increase the amount of fish being caught or just how comfortable the angler is while on a marathon day? Certainly the electronics add huge chunks to the puzzle, but the simple fact is you still have to get them to take the bait.
esox23 |
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Posts: 272
| Not sure about five years....but here's my "at some point in the future" prediction.
-Sonar will be so advanced that you will basically see fish on your screen. Not blips or clouds, but you will see fish. Just like an ultrasound.
-Some exotic species will DRASTICALLY affect fishing as we know it, and somewhere, some native species will no longer exist in those waters.
-Lakes will get cleaner, shoreline/spawning habitat will be so improved that very little stocking will take place many places.....and it will be just in the nick of time.....because state funds for this sort of thing will be in very short supply and will mostly allocated to walleye and salmon stocking.
-The Tribes will get the marketing thing figured out and will develop places like Lac du Flambeau into places akin to Eagle River, Rhinelander and Minocqua.
-Two stroke motors will be banned
-Wisconsin will allow trolling state wide
-a new WR will be caught and recognized in GB....and released successfully |
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Posts: 136
| I would look for a lake like Mille Lacs or Vermillion to crash( I really hope it doesnt happen!!!).
I remember having a meeting with a Muskies Cananda club on Lake St. Clair several years ago and listening to them tell us southern guys how fishing is great and would never crash. We pointed out that there were to many unfortunate negatives....introduction of euruasin milfoil, musky pox, dramatic increase of fishing pressure, poor handling of fish, kill tourneys, etc....2 years later VHS wiped out over 50%.
I think some fisheries will continue to get better, but it all depends on fisheries management by states and providences. Some will get overfished.
Down south, we have several new lakes that have been stocked with muskies that I think will become big time fisheries. Melton Hill and Caesars Creek. |
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Posts: 1453
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | One concern I would have is the development of graphing technology that drastically improves an angler's ability to locate structure and fish. While C and R will likely continue to become the standard for those who are dedicated anglers, what I worry about is the once a year angler who hires a guide and wants to keep a giant.
As more guides become proficient using technology like SI, I would expect their ability to locate and boat big fish to improve. That would translate into increased likelyhood of once a year anglers to pick up big fish.
Better technology and continued good stocking=more big fish caught.
More big fish caught=more once a year anglers hiring guides to get their trophy.
I would guess that as long as there is a demand to take home a trophy from the once a year clients, there will be guides out there willing to capitalize upon what their clients are legally entitled to...taking home a giant.
If this scenairo were to play out, I would worry that it would eventually negatively impact the fisheries.
But, that's just MY crystal ball...got it a Wal-Mart on a blue light special, so who the hell knows. |
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Posts: 162
Location: East Troy, WI | i know i've read or seen some guides that strictly state on their websites... "catch and release only" i would guess, maybe more guides start making that their motto... |
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Posts: 3867
| Musky fishing is going south.
The number one thing I see is that midwest and southern states are working VERY hard to capture musky bucks. We spend a lot. They want the money. Musky fishing craze is expanding south and for good reason. There's fish there now, big ones, too. My example is Webster Lake in IN. Who even heard of it 10 years ago? How about Cave Whatever in KY? More lakes will offer great fishing, CPR behavior continues to spread as board like this one educate folks.
Also, more people, including me, will spend more effort looking at the fish instead of hooking the fish. (Don't bother pointing PETA fingers at me; I shot two fox squirrels last week.*)
Mikie, as time passes you may not need to haul that 2 ton Gambler quite so far.
Ranger
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* A whole passel of squirrels live along the lakefront, here where I squat. Some days I have 6 or 8 playing around on the deck and in the yard. Anyway, 4 weeks ago I noticed that the squirrels, apparently pretending to be porcupines, chewed ALL of the bark from the whole top half of a 40' maple my dad planted years ago. I had to take action! So, I bought a huge bag of corn cobs, a bird feeder, suet cakes and a cage to hold 'em, and some quality birdfeed. Threw it all out day after day until only 2 of the squirrels were killing my tree. They just wouldn't quit. Seems we couldn't agree, those two and me, so I shot 'em. Then I ate 'em.
Edited by Ranger 1/22/2008 11:19 PM
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I see MN struggling to get money to pay for stocking new lakes.
Lakeshore development will continue to have adverse affects on fish habitat of all species.
Unfortunately, the % of "new" anglers that are practicing C&R is not as high as the % of "traditional" muskie anglers in MN. This is a scary trend, and is being justified by taxidermists and some guides/resort owners as people excersising their "rights" to keep and kill fish.
On many lakes I see more competition to be on hot spots, and people losing respect for one another while on the water.
On the plus side, there are many waters in MN that have now been forgotten due to Mille Lacs and Vermillion.
JS |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Dang.... John,
After that gloomy picture that you painted, I am really bummed !
Is there any hope for Mn. or should I pack my bags and head for Idaho ?
Thanks,
Jerome |
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Posts: 785
| I think our sport is on the up and up, 2007 was my best year to date. Minnesota will be able to handle the "costs" of the musky program due to the increased revenue from fishing liscenses from gomers like me. More people just results in wiser fish, with the magority of these fisherman praticing catch and release though the populations of fish will remain strong. Shoreline vegitation removal bans will help a lot in the prevention of habbitat loss.
Also why would Mille Lacs crash??? 48" length limit, a cisco population on the rebound, and lots of water to support big fish. Sure fishing pressure is intense but the fish are still there in big numbers and size. Hit the lake on a peak feeding window and you could have the day of your life with numbers of big fish. Overall though it is getting tougher but thats fishing on a popular lake for you. Also the MDNR stated in an infisherman article that the lake "peaked" 5+ years ago and yet last year I heard of more 54-56" fish than ever before...
I think we have a lot to look forward to in the future of musky fishing. |
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Posts: 3147
| Ah yes the second and third generation falloff theory
Alot of theorys here about Mille lacs and Vermillion crashing???? Ive lived here all my life and am wondering if thats the case how come leech and cass still kick out all the 50's they do these lakes used to get tremendous pressure before the range expanded, check the results from the Frank Schneider MI int tourney over the years,
these are not recently stocked 1st generation fish but resident populations,,in the past three years the most 50' follows I have had in one day was on leech.I think the big ciscoe based lakes will do fine has far has trophy potential, The big problem is "Quality" of experience-do you consider big fish present worth 7 boats to a spot???
I belive second and third generation falloff will occur but on the Metro llakes the bullhead populations are not what they were and thats what the first generation metro fish got fat on in fact on acouple of metro lakes I think were seeing it now.
one of the big threats to metro fisheries is the amount of imigrants that have moved here they release nothing they were raised iwith the attiitude fish are food
higher size limits are the answer ,,"people have the right to harvest one" mentality is NOT an option anymore in a tropht managed fisherie
I agree with John,, Mille Lacs and Vermillion publicity keep the rest of our waters here under sane conditions |
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Actually, MN revenue has taken a huge hit from the ending of the portable fishouse license this year.
Now they are talking about making 16-18 year olds not have to buy a fishing license.
Money is going to be an issue.
To clarify one thing, I don't have a problem with people keeping a trophy, that is their right.
Unfortunately there are people out there promoting keeping them with ideas like "stocked muskies are just a put and take fishery", and "a replica has no intrinsic value, it's not the real thing and they look fake" .
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Posts: 2089
| "I don't have a problem with people keeping a trophy,that is their right" .This mentality WILL perpetuate the decline of the fisheries. Period. How can you argue this point? Joe does it, and Bill does it and so on. Pretty soon it's Wabigoon all over. That's big water too. My livlihood depends on fish being in the lake. I cannot and will not condone the keeping of "personal trophies" for ANY reason. Walleye, smallmouth or muskies, it doesn't matter. Talkin' 'bout money, what is the monetary value of a 50" fish? How long did it take to get that big? I would LOVE for someone to define "DECLINE" as it relates to Mille Lacs/Vermilion.Please help me understand. From what I SEE , both lakes are in great shape, but then again, I'm not a biologist, nor do I play one on TV. Let the games begin. Steve |
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Posts: 785
| Good point!! Those who feel that the taking of large fish (muskies/pike) doesn't have a negative impact on the fishery can take a lesson from Wabigoon, and also reflect on the fact that in spite of the fishing pressure lakes like Mille Lacs and Vermilion continue to produce HUGE fish. If catch and kill was in practice on these waters the fisheries WOULD CRASH, catch and release is the reason for the continued good fishing.
At the bottom of page 52 on the long range musky-pike plan for Minnesota thru 2020 the DNR has a section on the detramental effects of removing A SINGLE large pike from a lake system. It might be interesting reading for some to show how fragile the trophy size structure in our lakes really is and how it should be protected!!!!
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/muskie_pike/muskiepike_2020.... |
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