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Posts: 8866
| I think we've all heard that sentiment a time or two. I've heard it more than once. The best one was the guy who asked what we were fishing for, and when we said "muskies" his response was "Good. I hope you kill every one of them. They're ruining the fishing! We used to be able to go out on Friday and catch 50 fish for our Friday night fish fry every week like it was nothing. Now we're lucky to catch 20! #*^@ muskies are eating all the fish in the lake! I can't even fill my freezer anymore!"
Yah. Fish fries... And every @#$% in the world out there on the lake every weekend trying to fill their freezers from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Now you can't limit out in a few hours anymore, and you want to blame the muskies for eating all the fish? Who is really eating all the &*^ fish??!
Needless to say, I am NOT the proper spokesperson for conservation. I'm too honest. And for some odd reason, people just do NOT want to hear the truth.
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | esoxaddict - 12/7/2013 1:34 PM
I could actually see this being a benefit to some of the lakes if they have abundant populations of small pike.
It's just not the case though. These Grand Rapids Lakes are small in size and are anything but overrun by hammer handles. Been on Moose a few times and was pretty surprised what healthy, decent sized pike they had in a lake that size. ( might as well ruin a good thing though rather then let it ride...) Not really numbers lakes for Muskies either, like Jerome pointed out I can't imagine for a second people won't make mistakes or simply take cracks out of spite. What are the chances of getting checked out there??....I fail to see how this is beneficial in any way. I feel like MN is taking steps backwards the last few years in several different areas. |
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| Guys spear muskies on miltona. They do it on purpose. I have talked to a dnr officer i have the area that told me as much. Problem is that they spear them out of spite/hate/who knows why and it is next to impossible to catch them. When the ice come out you can see them, we have caught them with marks in their backs.
Same guys will go to battle and do the same thing. Sucks
Its too bad that the guys hired to manage the fisheries arent allowed to do their jobs... |
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Posts: 441
| I talked to three or four people, this year, on Lake Vermilion, who said they speared big muskies. They were speared off their docks, in the spring, when muskies are spawning.
Same story, we kill every muskie we can, because they are eating OUR WALLEYES!!!! |
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Location: Otsego, MN | Nice to open up spearing on a brood stock lake (eagle) seriously?!?! |
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Posts: 82
| Have any of you heard of the tip line? 1-800-652-9093 |
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Location: Chisholm, MN | Who would actually say publicly "hey, I'm the one who turned you guys in!"? Maybe we have been using tip.
Edited by Kirby Budrow 12/9/2013 7:38 AM
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Posts: 3165
| How DARE they accuse the muskie of eating walleyes!!!!
nevermind the fact that we have walleye colored baits,,we continue to produce baits in and name them walleye color.
and we stand up in 3 ft waves in november tossing 1lb size or $50 crankbaits in walleye color.
they dont eat walleyes 'trust us' we muskie fisherman know,, |
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Posts: 82
| There are study 's out there that state walleyes make up less than 3% of the muskies diet. The 41 stocked lakes study for Mn which was peer reveiwed by the American fisheries society States muskies stocked at the level that Mn does they have no impact on walleyes. So no I don't think they eat many walleyes at all. I use bright orange lures too and don't believe they ate all the blaze orange fish out of the lake. 
Edited by DLC 12/9/2013 9:06 AM
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Posts: 4
| I found it interesting last night watching the local Fargo FOX channel news. They have a North Dakota Outdoors edition every Sunday night. It happened to be on spearing in North Dakota and that the number of registered spearers has gone from 1100 to 2600 in the last couple of years. They also stated that NONE of the lakes that have muskies in them in ND are open to spearing. Now granted there are not to many muskie lakes in NDak, but at least NDak Game & Fish realizes they need to protect the muskies they do have. |
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| You need to have pretty good info. for TIP to work. Absolutely by all means use TIP, but it's tough to get enough info for the CO to actually try to do anything about it. Now days, CO's can't even enter peoples ice houses unless the owner gives them permission or they have a search warrant.
Edited by Baby Mallard 12/9/2013 11:37 AM
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | We live in a world where you would be hard pressed to free up a 100K for a resource issue or to get more Conservation Officers in the field. But yet have athletes making millions annually.
At the same time the spearing bans are being lifted WITH the support of the Governor, they are still blocking new stocking efforts. |
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| Huh? That's kind of a jumbled post Jake. I wasn't aware that the DNR and professional athletes were funded from the same resources. |
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Location: Minnesota. | Top H2O - 12/7/2013 8:01 PM
Guys, this is the truth. I work Const. in the Mines in N Mn. from U.S.Steel in Keewatin to Cliffs in Silver Bay to ArcelorMittal in Virginia and Hibbing taconite in Hibbing,...
I've met hundreds of people in the last 19 yrs. that fish multiple species,... and most of these people blame the Muskies for a dwindling population of their favorite fish,.... the walleye, Perch, crappie, bass, you name it....Most people that don't fish for muskies up here go out of their way to Kill Muskies,... I've talked to them, I've worked with them, I've eaten and drank with them,...They don't follow the Laws up here... Unethical Spearers up here will kill anything that comes their way including Muskies, Pike and Walleye...It's just the way it is..
I've had guys brag that they just filled their 2nd freezer with "over limits" of walleye and then blame the Muskies for eating "Their Walleye's"
Spearing on Muskie and Big Pike water is a BIG mistake.....Let the DNR manage the fishery 's , not a few politicians that don't have a clue.
Bingo!! This is a really sad state of affairs. Politicians have more in line of their own prurient needs than what's really for the good of the resource methinks.
What a lousy deal we've been handed.
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| happy hooker - 12/9/2013 7:38 AM
How DARE they accuse the muskie of eating walleyes!!!!
nevermind the fact that we have walleye colored baits,,we continue to produce baits in and name them walleye color.
and we stand up in 3 ft waves in november tossing 1lb size or $50 crankbaits in walleye color.
they dont eat walleyes 'trust us' we muskie fisherman know,,
Considering that our end of day report usually goes something like this:
"Saw two, got a 34, lost a small one earlier" I don't know that I'd put all that much stock in the color of the lures we buy. |
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Location: The desert | One thing that needs to be mentioned here is fisheries are managed by the state for public use. Part of the public includes spearers, whether you like it or not. Now that isn't meant as a pro spearing point, just the fact that there is more use than just musky fishing.
Sometimes the smallest minority can make the biggest fuss and get what they are asking for.
Many valid points in here and this post isn't meant to diminish them. |
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Location: Hudson, WI | I don't like the fact that muskies will be speared (intentionally or not) because of this, but look at it from a spearer's perpective.
Outside of Cass, Leech, and a few other lakes, Minnesota had basically no real musky fishery until ten years ago or so. Pike spearing has been there forever, and is a tradition for a small amount of folks there. Then musky fishing explodes, and you characterize them as rednecks who shouldn't be allowed to do what they want? Form the MMPA, like you ever gave a #*#* about big pike? No wonder they fight tooth and nail against you. You're a Johnny come lately who thinks you're better than them.
I have a lot of family and friends from Minnesota, and the vast majority of the state is filled with great folks. But some of the musky community there is so insular and arrogant I can't even believe it. They're the same crowd that posts on football boards about how all Wisconsinites are fat, poor hicks who have nothing to live for other than the Packers. You later find out that that same guy is too scared to have ever ventured further than 8 miles from his hometown of Funkley, MN in his entire life, and he's fat too. |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | ^ yup |
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| Moltisanti - 12/9/2013 4:27 PM
I don't like the fact that muskies will be speared (intentionally or not) because of this, but look at it from a spearer's perpective.
Outside of Cass, Leech, and a few other lakes, Minnesota had basically no real musky fishery until ten years ago or so. Pike spearing has been there forever, and is a tradition for a small amount of folks there. Then musky fishing explodes, and you characterize them as rednecks who shouldn't be allowed to do what they want? Form the MMPA, like you ever gave a #*#* about big pike? No wonder they fight tooth and nail against you. You're a Johnny come lately who thinks you're better than them.
I have a lot of family and friends from Minnesota, and the vast majority of the state is filled with great folks. But some of the musky community there is so insular and arrogant I can't even believe it. They're the same crowd that posts on football boards about how all Wisconsinites are fat, poor hicks who have nothing to live for other than the Packers. You later find out that that same guy is too scared to have ever ventured further than 8 miles from his hometown of Funkley, MN in his entire life, and he's fat too.
I nominate this for the M1st hall of fame. I could not have said it better myself. We can be the biggest dicks on the planet when to comes to other people enjoying their angling sport of choice. |
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| Coming from 3 out of staters that haven't seen what spearing and the lack of/repeal of slot limits have done to the pike fishery in MN. |
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Location: Grand Rapids MN | As I posted earlier, whether to do with spearing, stocking, or what ever these changes should be more visible and at least proposed to the areas being affected and DNR should carry some input. Every time a lake is to be stocked with muskies there is a big deal made and locals are made aware and can vote on it; Ex: Brainerd lakes, Pokegama, etc.
Do you think the residence of Deer, Moose, Spider, and North Star are aware of this change coming? These are lakes I fish regularly and when I talk to people who fish and live in the area they have not heard about this. Due diligence are the key words and our politicians are not doing it. As mentioned it's public resources so let the public have a vote without sneaking bills through.
Personally there are 9,950 out if 10,000 (you get the idea) lakes to spear all the nice pike, let's leave a few so I don't have to go to Canada for everything. These lakes spit out 35-40" regularly for me and the slot seems to be working to me. |
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Location: MN | How many lakes have muskies in MN? How many lakes have pike? Do they really need these few extra lakes to spear in with the endless opportunities to chase pike? That is my main issue with this. There are soooo many good pike lakes up here why do they need the muskie waters too? Besides the pike spearers no one cares for pike so they are thick.
Spearing is a big deal in N MN. I have talked to and know of many guys who will admit to dropping the tines on some big walleyes. They think it's funny, they say they can't resist, or they think they are cool for doing it. Those same guys won't be able to resist when a 40+ inch muskie swims under their hole. Not enough CO's out there to keep it from happening. Even if they do get caught they will play the ignorant plea and probably get a slap on the wrist. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Ben,
The points were very valid, and should be taken to heart by the Muskie community everywhere. Are you saying only those who live in MN should have a viewpoint, or if one is presented by a MN resident that is as Moltisanti describes, it should not be challenged or discussed? I fail to see any connection between residency in MN and the ability to discuss management of the resource et al in a manner that will result in positives.
Where did any of those three say that slot limits should have been repealed, or spearing increased? |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | BFD - 12/9/2013 4:54 PM
Coming from 3 out of staters that haven't seen what spearing and the lack of/repeal of slot limits have done to the pike fishery in MN.
i lived on a MN pike spearing lake from '80-'87 and speared, spend 1/2 my time in that town now with a residence there and one here in WI. and still get out a few times per year with many friends from childhood who have continued their tradition and are nice enough to take me out when i'm there. the tradition of MN. dark house spearing is not filled with the boogyman that they are characterized as by the anti's.
it's fun, you should try it. |
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Location: Hudson, WI | DLC - 12/9/2013 5:03 PM
Well I'm with the MMPA, I'm a packer fan that was born in the U.P. and even lived in Las Vegas . Im also normal wieght for how tall i am. So I guess I don't fit into firsts nice little package for us. Glad you seem to know so much of what's going on. The bans were put in place way before I ever became a resident here 30 years ago. The only reason anyone had to speak up for the pike in this state is its abysmal and the DNR has been completely handcuffed on managing them. No one in the MMPA wants to see spearing go away, just would like it if they would follow scientific evidence like everyone else. Guess I could say the same thing about your tribal spearing problems.
I absolutely agree with you on all counts. I watched my home water where I cut my teeth musky fishing get 60% of the adult population eradicated by tribal spearing. The point is, it's a good thing cooler heads prevailed and the Lake Association brought it to the DNR and GLIFWC.They did a two year study, came up with the conclusion, and the GLIFWC spoke with the tribes and got the spearing on that water cut down significantly.
Nothing happened for the better when people trashed the Indians and threw rocks at them at the launch. You're better off not peeing the people off and working with them instead of constantly villifying them. I've learned that first hand.
Look at your reaction to my post. How do you think they react to being called rednecks and poachers? |
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Posts: 19
| I am far from anti-spearing, I have my darkhouse parked in the backyard waiting for good ice. I gave up sticking fish years ago, prefer to watch and angle them. What the MDAA has done has handcuffed the DNR in managing the pike fishery in MN which cannot be disputed. Does anyone on the board resident or non resident think that taking the largest pike out of the system is a good thing? That is exactly what happens time and time again and we are left with hammer handle factories. Is it purely coincidence that our top 3 pike fisheries LOTW, Red, and Mille lacs all have slots limits, with Mille Lacs having a spearing ban, and Red having water too tanic to see/spear?
Moltisanti you blast the MMPA like they are the problem? There are actually some of here in MN that like targeting big pike both open water and under the ice. |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | i agree with slots …
MMPA has a PR need … all i've seen from them is what they've put here over the past few years and it's been a broad-brush anti-spearing tactic that seems to have created an us vs. them approach (maybe from the audience?). if that's changed then i'd imagine they'll get more accomplished.
a spearing slot would be a conundrum but the darkhouse guys/gals want big pike too and have been at it a lot longer than the MMPA. that said, the lake i've speared and intend to spear again this year is not Cass and this subject gets more delicate when that lake is in the conversation … which is understandable from both sides of the fence.
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Location: Hudson, WI | The only interaction I've ever had with the MMPA was when there was a petition on here regarding Cass Lake spearing and a group of anglers on this very board vowing not to patronize any business in support of lifting the ban. Talk about positive image...might as well just break all of your toys so the other kids can't play with them while you're at it. That very post encouraged all musky anglers to sign that petition. This after insulting Wisconsin anglers for coming to "their lakes" and fishing "their" spots. The MMPA probably has their heads in the right place, but like Sled referred to, their PR is sorely lacking.
Picture this scenario. I'm an avid bowhunter. My crew chooses to shoot only P and Y bucks on our parcel of land, along with our neighboring land owners to the south and east. The guy who owns the 80 north of us and the guy who owns the 240 to the west shoot every god#*^@ thing that moves. They are meat hunters. I've had discussion with them, but they aren't interested in passing on bucks. They need the meat and they like to shoot deer. That is their right. Not to mention we have owned that property for 7 years and they have owned theirs for 50 plus.
How do you think they would like it if some 30 something out of towner like me came up there and started a QDM "alliance" that was pushing for QDM throughout Dunn County? "I'm the head of this group. We care about big bucks...you don't. You shoot everything. We are going to win."
What do you think the neighbor's reaction would be?
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| Probably the same reaction you'd get from the N/WI folks who don't want to see their lakes opened up to trolling... |
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| theres a technique to spearing muskies they have told us. You target the fat part of the tail in front of the fork. That way you dont kill them right away like a center shot, by getting them in th rear quarter they swim away from the hole before they die and they wont be seen through the hole laying on the bottom.
Right now we want to increase minimum to 55 inches DNR wants 52,,,The Darkhouse is fighting ANY increase,,,,WHY???? whats this got to do with them,,,easy to figure, Once they get all the regs lifted on pike they will now go for muskie spearing and a higher size limit means less muskies for the fridge |
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