Maybe the coolest press release ever!

Post by **Will Schultz** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:05 am

http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletin ... DNR-6e8519

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2013

Contact: Christian LeSage, 517-373-1280 or Ed Golder, 517-335-3014

New muskellunge and northern pike regulation changes to take effect April 1

The Department of Natural Resources today announced that new muskellunge and northern pike regulations will go into effect for all anglers on April 1, 2013. In Michigan, only one muskellunge (including tiger muskellunge) may be harvested per season per angler. Anglers who would like to harvest muskellunge must have a new muskellunge harvest tag, available March 1, 2013. Anglers are not required to obtain this harvest tag to fish for muskellunge; it’s only for those anglers that intend to harvest a muskellunge.

Muskellunge harvest tags are free and available at all license vendors. Anglers who do not possess the tag are required to release all muskellunge they catch. The new tag will be used as a means to enforce the new possession limit statewide and will allow the DNR to monitor how many tags are provided to anglers and to provide insight on the level of harvest.

Registration of muskellunge harvest is not a requirement, but it will help the DNR manage this important species. For more information, please visit www.michigan.gov/muskie

New northern pike regulations will also go into effect on April 1, 2013. Northern pike regulations now include the establishment of a new 24-inch to 34-inch protected slot limit (PSL) regulation on several waters. The DNR believes this new regulation has the potential to increase predation levels by larger northern pike on smaller northern pike and result in a greater number of larger northern pike on various waters. A new provision has been added to waters where up to five northern pike may be taken. This provision restricts harvest to only one northern pike greater than 24 inches allowed as part of the daily possession limit of five pike on those waters.

Modifications to the muskellunge and northern pike regulations were developed with collaboration between the DNR and the Warmwater Resources Steering Committee (WRSC), a public advisory group that was tasked with review of muskellunge and northern pike regulation proposals. Additionally, the general angling public participated in a survey to advise the DNR on these regulation changes. These regulations will serve to protect and enhance future muskellunge and northern pike populations for anglers.

For more information on fishing for muskellunge and northern pike in Michigan, please review the 2013 Michigan Fishing Guide, particularly Note 7 in the General Hook and Line Regulations. As always, the guide is available in retail stores and online at www.michigan.gov/fishingguide

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:28 am

WOW!! Esox Heaven!!

TRiley · Post by **TRiley** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 2:09 pm

Good things to come from this!

Adam Minnick · Post by **Adam Minnick** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:30 pm

DGF · Post by **DGF** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 6:05 am

Chasin50 · Post by **Chasin50** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:42 pm

Our kids thank MMA and the DNR...

Post by **Cyberlunge** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 4:10 pm

Its nice to see science win for once.

Kevin

pikerule2 · Post by **pikerule2** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 5:27 pm

Excellent, and very well written by DNR staff.

windknot · Post by **windknot** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 1:19 am

Slam Dunk WIN !!

jasonvkop · Post by **jasonvkop** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 7:43 pm

Should we even get the tag if we are going to CPR every fish? I am just wondering if someone in the DNR could be mislead by number of tags given out when most of us aren't going to use it. Does that make sense?

Post by **Will Schultz** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:12 pm

Keep in mind the "what if" factor.

TRiley · Post by **TRiley** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:45 pm

I agree with the "What If Factor". Plus it should help the DNR get a more accurate count of those who chase Muskies or at least have the potential to catch one. In my mind this helps justify their management and the benefits of all their hard work and fiscal expenses for GL Muskies as well as keep the momentum for all the positive regs lately.

Duke · Post by **Duke** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:44 am

TRiley wrote:I agree with the "What If Factor". Plus it should help the DNR get a more accurate count of those who chase Muskies or at least have the potential to catch one. In my mind this helps justify their management and the benefits of all their hard work and fiscal expenses for GL Muskies as well as keep the momentum for all the positive regs lately.

Totally agree.

PLUS, the DNR has plans on doing follow-up mail surveys regarding musky angling, and the way they will do this is with a random sample of the folks who requested the musky tag.

They already do quite a bit of this exact practice for other game licenses. C&R musky fishermen definitely want to be well represented among these survey results.

EVERYBODY GET THE TAG!!!