Many of us believe that the musky tag should be purchased separate so we can get an actual count on how many people are pursuing killing a musky. This should be a no brainer as it is a scientific method to gather data. If there are 50 tags purchased in a year there would be no worry about harvest. If there are 5000 tags purchased we would know we have a problem. I think all natural spawning waters should be closed to all harvest and an opening day in June would help the Chain . I just don't want to see catch and release stopped in May on lakes like Osterhout, Murray, Thornapple etc.. Mike
"Kingfisher" said:
Many of us believe that the musky tag should be purchased separate so we can get an actual count on how many people are pursuing killing a musky.
This isn't a bad idea, but doesn't the DNR also use the free tag to see the general interest in muskie fishing? I never plan on keeping a muskie, but got the free tag to show the interest in musky fishing. I wouldn't buy a kill tag and then the DNR would never know I was fishing for muskie just from a general fishing license purchase.
Might not be a bad idea to keep the tag free, but make it mandatory to report a killed fish to the DNR.
"Kingfisher" said:
Many of us believe that the musky tag should be purchased separate so we can get an actual count on how many people are pursuing killing a musky. This should be a no brainer as it is a scientific method to gather data. If there are 50 tags purchased in a year there would be no worry about harvest. If there are 5000 tags purchased we would know we have a problem. I think all natural spawning waters should be closed to all harvest and an opening day in June would help the Chain . I just don't want to see catch and release stopped in May on lakes like Osterhout, Murray, Thornapple etc.. Mike
Not sure where you're going with this… The tag doesn't come with a fishing license it has to be requested. Because of the need to request the DNR knows exactly how many tags, who got one and when they got it. I don't have current data in hand so I'm going off memory but as of June 2013 (3 months into the first season w/ the tag) more than 35,000 muskie tags were issued – that's not a typo, 35k.
I understand why you don't want to give up May, ten years ago I would have agreed with you 100% but things have changed dramatically. We, as conservation minded anglers, really need to consider the future.
"Will Schultz" said:
I understand why you don't want to give up May, ten years ago I would have agreed with you 100% but things have changed dramatically. We, as conservation minded anglers, really need to consider the future.
I understand the Spring closure is to protect actively spawning fish, and I understand that a CIR season leaves the door cracked open for poaching. But muskies being harder to stuff down your waders or in a cooler, I think this is lower risk. And I happen to believe that a conservation minded angler can support CIR muskie fishing during the spawn.
And could you tell me what exactly has changed dramatically in the last 10 years?
"Duke" said:
.And could you tell me what exactly has changed dramatically in the last 10 years?
Stocking. Many of the new waters will have spawning fish through May and into June. Do we want to allow these fish to be harassed during spawning? Sure mortality might be low but what happens when they're so stressed from being caught they just dump their eggs?
Could the limited 10 day season actually hurt us? I think most guys actually spear in musky water because they are looking for Pike, and Musky are considered a huge bonus. Putting the stigma of protected and limited time only might actually increase angler participation! It is an incredible marketing strategy for the retail market, and i think it would actually be for the angler market too. It would almost add too much intrigue.
"jasonvkop" said:
And not to be a jerk here, but a lot of people are saying "the evidence is on our side" or "the science supports us", but can someone post the science or research that does support us?
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"><link_text text="[Permission to view this media is denied] … 4153_7.pdf">[Permission to view this media is denied]
Page 14 provides some limited data on the significance of even low level exploitation. The entire plan that was published several years ago is worth a read.
"robhj" said:
[quote="jasonvkop"]And not to be a jerk here, but a lot of people are saying "the evidence is on our side" or "the science supports us", but can someone post the science or research that does support us?
<url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
"><link_text text="[Permission to view this media is denied] … 4153_7.pdf">[Permission to view this media is denied]
Page 14 provides some limited data on the significance of even low level exploitation. The entire plan that was published several years ago is worth a read.
Thanks!!
So i have been trolling the M-S board to see if this conversation is popping up in their circles, and nothing as of yet… but the recent survey for the black lake sturgeon population came up, and this was said by one of the more active and intelligent members…
"I'd love to see spearing on an extremely limited basis on other waters. Many more opportunities out there where the dnr could use spearing to help populations, just like black lake."
I am baffled!
How is it exactly that the DNR and other conservation groups have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the black lake restoration program, estimate that there is a few over a 1000 sturgeon roaming about in the whole system including the river, and that the darkhouse angling is there to "help" the populations!!! If this is what they think they would do to musky populations, I want no part of that!
Sorry, for the off topic aside here, I just needed a good laugh for the morning.
I'm always confused when I watch the Michigan-out-of-doors show on Sturgeon spearing when the spearers talk about how beautiful and rare the fish are and how they have haven't seen a fish in ten years. Then they finally see one of these rare, beautiful fish and decide to spear it in the back. Just seems ass-backwards to me.
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