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Posts: 243
| Hello Everyone,
As many of you know, we do have lakes in Michigan that are open to muskellunge spearing. While this is unfortunate in the eyes of most catch and release hook and line anglers, it gets worse. An attempt is being made to expand the current list of lakes exponentially and include most bodies of water in the state. In the Upper Peninsula alone, there would only be a handful of lakes closed---six total. See the attached file for specifics.
The musky clubs in Michigan have been working with the DNR to develop more conservative restrictions on harvest, and those are still in the works, but the spearing issue is still of GREAT CONCERN! The impact spearing can have on vulnerable adult populations in our relatively small lakes (the vast majority 500 acres or less) can be devastating over just a season or two. Right now the bag limit is one fish per day. Regardless of what happens with the fight for higher size limits and lower bag limits, an expansion of lakes open to spearing is not, in my opinion, an acceptable concession at this point.
The Michigan DNR is taking public comment on this issue over the next couple of weeks. The proposal was set to be signed into the new regulations in October, but they have agreed to push it back and do a more extensive review after a number of contacts with a number of different people within the Department and our Natural Resource Commissioners. We still can stop this, but need your help! If you live in Michigan, have ever fished in Michigan, plan to visit sometime, or just want to have your voice heard on this issue, PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO THE DNR and tell them you are NOT IN FAVOR OF EXPANDING SPEARING FOR MUSKELLUNGE! 5 minutes of your time could really make a difference.
Written comments may be submitted to:
Director, Rodney A. Stokes, P.O. Box 30028, Lansing, MI 48909-7973 or e-mail: [email protected] and
Natural Resources Commission, P.O. Box 30028, Lansing, MI 48909 or e-mail: [email protected]
Jessica Mistak, Northern Lake Michigan Supervisor, 6833 US Highway 2, 41, and M35, Gladstone, MI 49837 or email: [email protected]
Jim Dexter, Acting Fish Chief: [email protected]
Edited by IM Musky Time 9/13/2011 4:24 PM
Attachments
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 FO-219 FI.pdf (99KB - 468 downloads)
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| This is horrible for muskie anglers in the state of MI. I would suggest to everyone getting this all over the internet and spreading the word. |
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Posts: 380
Location: Michigan | Please take the time to help even if you don't fish in Michigan. This is absolutely a move in the wrong direction for the majority of muskie anglers. The managers of our resources need to hear from you... We, within the state have been trying to get regulatory changes, but we need more help. We reference the positive moves that Minnesota and Wisonsin have made to improve fisheries in those states. We have so much potential in michigan, but we need the right laws to get there. This could be a destination state with just a little work.
Edited by Chasin50 9/13/2011 6:46 PM
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Posts: 536
| yah us here in Mn have called for help from everyone it would be nice to return the favor to Michigan |
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Posts: 299
| We really do need your voice heard even if your not from Michigan. Please take 5 minutes and help us out!! Were at a crossroad here and it's not too late to express your opinion on Muskie Spearing in our state. We really do have the potential to become a travel destination for Trophy Muskie but need to spearing to stop or not expand. Thanks to all who have already sent over an email and thanks to those who plan on sending an email!!!! |
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Posts: 458
| Just sent my email and the addresses are listed below. I live in OH and fish mostly in MI and we all need to do what we can to protect this fishery. Please send these folks an email telling them that you are not in favor of exapnding the spearing in MI.
emails:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
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Posts: 243
| Good work....just talked to the Fish Chief on the phone this morning and more support is needed on this side of the argument, so let's keep it going. PLEASE take a few minutes and follow through on this---unfortunately, some of our legislators were talked into signing off on this (just found out) with their support for expansion of spearing. I'm now working that angle as well, but letters to the DNR are imperative. Keep it up!
Edited by IM Musky Time 9/14/2011 11:53 AM
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Posts: 164
| I just sent my letters. Everyone please help. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Is this posted on the web anywhere? We'll get it out on facebook as well.
Send your emails everyone!!!!!! |
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Posts: 299
| You guys are awesome!! Keep up the great work! Were all in the Muskie Game together no matter where we live!! Thanks a bunch!! |
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| Huge thank you to those who have helped! Those who haven't please try to take a few minutes to write our DNR. For some reason they seem to be stuck in 1890 and can't seem to open their eyes to what the rest of the world is doing in terms of musky spearing regulations. |
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Posts: 243
| Update! Just got off the phone with the DNR and apparently there is some confusion on interpretation of FO-219. I had asked you to voice your concern over the huge increase in lakes that would be open to spearing in that order....however, there still are a handful of lakes that would stay closed as part of FO-219. So I'm hearing that at the state level, there is some confusion when they're hearing people are opposed to 219, which does protect some lakes. They say general opposition could be interpreted as opposition to leaving any lakes open.
Semantics or not, please clarify your position if you've sent something in opposition to 219 and just ask that they not open ANY additional lakes to spearing. Multiple emails do not hurt. Sounds like they have been surprised by the number of comments in the last few days, which is great.
The spearing movement has unfortunately also wrangled in some legislative support, so please also send your comments to Senator Tom Casperson, Rep. Ed McBroom, Rep. Matt Huuki, Senate Majority leader Richardville and House Speaker Bolger.
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Edited by IM Musky Time 9/15/2011 4:38 PM
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| Please take a minute to do this guys. It's important! |
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