Jim , ALL THAT WILL DO IS MAKE HIM TOUT NO SIZE LIMITS.
I am one for removing size limits on speared fish but only allowing one tag per year. This way one guy doesnt drop the spear on a dozen 41 inch fish and then stick them back down the hole. Some lakes do not eve have legal sized fish in them and forcing these gfuys to waste fish by returning them is wrong. If Size is not an issue then all you have yo enforce is the number of fish taken. If the tag system requires the tag holder to be in the darkhouse during harvest then you eliminate guys having their wife tag #1 etc. With a 46 inch size limit you will have every 42 to 45 inch fish speared dead and put back. I say let them kill one fish with no size limit or ban it all together. Holmes has been pushing for a no size limit. W e should meet them half way and agree to no size limit on the tag and then limit that to one fish per year. This way a spear chucker can sit and wait for the one he wants to shoot knowing that he will not have to waste a kill on a sub legal fish. All spear fishermen are not unethical. Many would be fine with the law if they didnt have to worry about the sub legal issue.
Its my belief that if we raise the size limit (and I am in favor of it) we will shoot ourselves in the foot by killing hordes of sub legal fish with the tag system OR NOT. Raising the size limit only works if you have no spearing at all. You can not tell the size of a fish under water. PERIOD.
You can not legislate this problem away. It has to be done with cooperation from both sides. I can tell you this, If I were spearing and shot a sub legal fish missing by an inch or so I would stick it back down the hole instead of risking a ticket. These men will respond exactly the same way. Give them one tag per person per year with no size limit. Mike
"pikerule2" said:
Somehow, everywhere else banned spearing for muskies. Somehow, everywhere but here and a more limited approach in Minnesota banned spearing for pike (OK, throw in the Dakota's and Montana, but all that area in total has about as many people as East Lansing).Anyway, it's not going to ever stop here unless it's banned completely, starting with muskies. It's that simple. Not that it's easy, but everywhere else found a way, at least for muskies, so we could too.
I agree completely. While on vacation at Lake of the Woods MN this Christmas I talked to the guys up there about the spearing that goes on here and the common response was shock and why is it allowed. Totally different mindset towards resources…
If we went to a no size limit, 1 tag per year system, whats to stop these people from spearing those smaller fish anyways and throwing them back? And whats to stop them from spearing as many as they want and throw them back until they get the giant they want to keep and use the tag on?
Sadly, I know a few of these type of people and they are only out there for the fun of killing something and some could care less about what it is they spear or how big it is…not saying all spearers are like this but there are plenty of the ones that are out there…I cant beleive that spearing a sub-legal fish and "releasing" it is legal
"Steve S" said:
Seeing the fish from Burt and whats going on the titt. Myself and everyone else is frustrated with what is going on. Wev'e talked about this for a long time. Can someone tell me when this is going to stop!! Either stop spearing or the tag system.
I see two different things with those examples. Illegal harvest on a stocked water and one big fish on low density natural water. Regulations changes aren't going to have an impact on either one of these scenarios.
"MattG_braith" said:
they could definitly become Lake St. Clair type muskie waters or even better
Personally, I don't think that is a good thing and not a fair comparison. There aren't many, if any, places that can be St Clair. A better comparison might put those waters on the level of Vermillion, Leech, etc.
I suppose comparing them to LSC is a little off since that lake is in whole nother league of its own but these low density/big water systems with natural reproduction are so damn vulnerable to spearing and taking 5-10 or more of those big fish out every winter has a much more detrimental effect than other lakes
My point was just that if these lakes were managed properly they have the potential to be some of the best muskie lakes in not just the state but in the country
"Steve S" said:
Seeing the fish from Burt and whats going on the titt. Myself and everyone else is frustrated with what is going on. Wev'e talked about this for a long time.Can someone tell me when this is going to stop!! Either stop spearing or the tag system.
I'm going to guess that with MMA becoming a member of MUCC & with the newly redesigned WMA, the future is looking good!
"dlw681" said:
Easy now I still Love Jiggin Eyes so get off the Global warming kick 👿 Bring on the ICE!!!!!!"FISH ON TEAM BRUCE"
I've got you covered:
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"Pete" said:
Unfortunate update – another dandy was recently speared…53"er. It will be mounted in the Sanford Bait Shop eventually so we'll all get to see some semblance of her. Also heard unfounded rumors of another 5 between 46-51"…wow, the low water level appears to be really hurting us this year!
And this is all just on Sanford?!!!
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