"Steve S" said:
I take it this is the same guy who caught the record fish! I sent a email to Heather & Mark and asked them why there wasn't a musky harvest tag on this fish. You watch they'll make up some BS answer and let him get away with it. Why is it that we can't get them to stop spearing muskies and they can spear all the pike they want.
I wonder what the circumstances are for poaching a muskellunge?
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"Steve S" said:
I take it this is the same guy who caught the record fish! I sent a email to Heather & Mark and asked them why there wasn't a musky harvest tag on this fish. You watch they'll make up some BS answer and let him get away with it. Why is it that we can't get them to stop spearing muskies and they can spear all the pike they want.
Do we know the fish wasn't tagged? Did you see the photo? Guilty until proven innocent eh?
Spearing isn't the problem, overharvest is the problem. No one can legally spear all the pike they want, we are all subject to the same regulations.
You're right Will. Probably shouldn't jump to conclusions without knowing the facts but sometimes when you are as passionate about the sport as we are our emotions get the best of us and we have moments of rash thinking. Either way it's more proof of what the chain keeps providing under the complete lack of management. Maybe this is just more ammunition to use for a campaign against the over harvest that continues year after year. Although I don't agree with it she was legal size and there's hopefully a good explanation as to why harvest took place.
That's true that it might not be in sight. So what if this Heather goes to the hardware store and ask's them if they saw a tag, if they did fine, if they didn't he should get a ticket. Like you said, what is the point of taking this fish after getting one 50 pounds plus. I know there is a limit of how many pike you can take, let them take pike and no muskies (spearing). Are there any numbers yet on the harvest tag, as far how many were given out and how many were used. Talked to a few people this year and they didn't know about the tag. I also see they have opened up lakes in MN. to spearing muskies. Are the Darkhouse guy's that powerful or do they just know the right people.
The part that bugs me is the over harvest of the system.
I don't like that this was his 2nd GIANT harvested, but I don't know the specifics. I hope it was hook and line, and more bad luck…
That system is just too valueable, and vulnerable, whether it is Skeg on the ice, or Torch river in the spring. It could be one of the best natural muskie fisheries on the planet with 21st century, smart management.
Spearing, and hook and line both kill too many fish. However, the hard water congregation of many fish in a small area doesn't bode well for the winter fish.
Deep breath… winternet.
42 lb taken out of elk in May or June I don't remember. There was an article on it in the elk rapids news. The big one that was taken out of torch river June 8th I believe. There was also a 53" fish taken I believe by the same person around the same time but I don't know all the facts. Also seen one large carcass that was upstream from where the two were taken. These three fish in the river were killed while they were spawning. It's a problem that needs to be dealt with.
This is so saddening and maddening to hear about…the problem is I just don't see any way the DNR will ever deal with this properly. A change of the season to protect the spawners is probably the best way to start but there really should be a complete no kill all year long on those waters, which would never happen. The DNR doesn't have the balls to do something that drastic even if it is the right biological decision.
Even if they change the MSL to 48 or 50 inches like they have considered that doesn't protect the fish that need to be protected. You will still have the 3, 4, 5, 10 people a year taking their 1 50"+ fish plus the guys that take more than 1 a year who don't report their catch.
Honestly, they should manage that chain like they manage the sturgeon on the Indian River chain with a lottery.
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