A 42-inch northern strain muskie was caught in the Pere Marquette Lake channel last weekend near the entrance to Ludington Marina. I have a pic of it, unfortunately laying on the sidewalk nearby, but I do not have the angler's name.
Caught on a Thunderstick at 9 p.m. by a guy casting for walleyes. I do not know if it was kept, but it looked like the gill was damaged in the pic I have. I do not know if the angler had a muskie tag.
–Brian Mulherin
I don't see myself killing a big pike or Muskie anymore. Not after I've started teaching kids how to fish. Don't get me wrong in a plentiful lake I'd knife a keeer pike they taste awesome.. But never a Muskie or a big pike. My first fish on thorn was a 35 invh pike and the best moment was when it swam off. I'm scared to kill one accidentally from a break off.. I feel like I would be cursed forever in Muskie fishing
My understanding is this was caught by a kid. Don't know if the parents were there or not. My friend who shot the photo said it was 42, though. The questions about strain are a big reason Michigan should be doing fin clips, as should Wisconsin. PIT tags are great, but with catch-and-release so prevalent, nobody is going to know where fish came from unless they kill one.
There have always been muskies in that lake, like Manistee and others along lake Michigan there aren't many and they seem to travel between ports but somehow the boys and girls keep finding each other and making more. Just as likely, as noted, this could be a GB fish.
Would be nice to track this fish down and find out who caught it and if they had a tag. If the fish is still available to examine/scan with a pit tag reader. I would hate to make an example of a kid but I'm sure if the kids parents weren't there other adults in the area should have been able to help him out with identification.
Not sure how fin clips would make a difference in identifying strains?
Much of the public is still oblivious to the new tag. Also, from my understanding fewer places offer the tag than that don't. I bought mine from Cabela's and wasn't offered, I had to ask. Same for a few others I know. Wouldn't the DNR have trouble enforcing with all the retailers not properly offering?
"Scott Williams" said:
Much of the public is still oblivious to the new tag. Also, from my understanding fewer places offer the tag than that don't. I bought mine from Cabela's and wasn't offered, I had to ask. Same for a few others I know. Wouldn't the DNR have trouble enforcing with all the retailers not properly offering?
I know we have all discussed trying to get something at cash registers as a reminder, but even still, ignorance is not a valid defense. Everyone should review the new guide every year, and they even put all the changes in red print, and list them at the beginning. If people don't read it they have no excuse… sadly I know Im asking WAY too much [smilie=bangtard.gif]
"Scott Williams" said:
Much of the public is still oblivious to the new tag. Also, from my understanding fewer places offer the tag than that don't. I bought mine from Cabela's and wasn't offered, I had to ask. Same for a few others I know. Wouldn't the DNR have trouble enforcing with all the retailers not properly offering?
Every person I have talked to has said they have had to specifically ask for the tag. And worse yet, most of these same people said once they asked for one the person had little or no clue what they were talking about. I purchased mine at a local Meijer store and the guy said he had never heard of it.
"Scott Williams" said:
Much of the public is still oblivious to the new tag. Also, from my understanding fewer places offer the tag than that don't. I bought mine from Cabela's and wasn't offered, I had to ask. Same for a few others I know. Wouldn't the DNR have trouble enforcing with all the retailers not properly offering?
It isn't the DNR's responsibility for us to know the rules. Countless press releases, articles, etc. have been available since last fall. It also isn't the responsibility of the DNR and retailers that sell licenses for the DNR to make sure we know what license we're supposed to get. There's a reason there is a fishing guide printed each year, as mentioned most people don't care to read it though.
"Will Schultz" said:
[quote="Scott Williams"]Much of the public is still oblivious to the new tag. Also, from my understanding fewer places offer the tag than that don't. I bought mine from Cabela's and wasn't offered, I had to ask. Same for a few others I know. Wouldn't the DNR have trouble enforcing with all the retailers not properly offering?
It isn't the DNR's responsibility for us to know the rules. Countless press releases, articles, etc. have been available since last fall. It also isn't the responsibility of the DNR and retailers that sell licenses for the DNR to make sure we know what license we're supposed to get. There's a reason there is a fishing guide printed each year, as mentioned most people don't care to read it though.
True, and I do not disagree. However, after they read the fishing guide and realize they didn't receive said tag how many will go back to ask.
I was under the impression retailers were supposed to offer the tag to all, not having to ask.
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