Well… I have been thinking… Obviously there is a lot of emotion about our new state record. This kind of thing affects us all differently… We feel envy, anger, confusion, disbelief, and even helplessness… I know I was initially angry and frustrated, but then I settled and looked at the whole situation. Now where I land is where I think most of you are too… And that is I am concerned for the fishery…
Think about the increased pressure the chain will see in the coming years… This is “bad” for us for obvious reasons including a potential for the decline of the fragile muskie population, and of course selfishly it will make that pristine environment just that much less special… And, we will deal with more competition when we do decide to make that special trip north….
However, we can use this opportunity as individuals and as an organization to speak out and express our concern. We have a voice with the DNR that I believe is powerful and a few select people in our club participate in those conversations. Obviously we have to have spokespeople for the organization… The rest of us just “go along for the ride”, and most times this is ok. However sometimes, I feel like I personally want to be a part of those conversations with the DNR…
In addition, I think we can also use the early findings of the tracking study to further build our position. I don’t know the specifics, but I don’t think all the fish that where part of the tracking study are still with us… The DNR needs to use the data to asses how the population is being affected by angling and spearing pressure considering the current regs. Again, Will and others may be talking to the DNR on this as representatives of our organization, but…
This is also where we need to express our thoughts and concerns to the DNR as individuals. My good buddy Joe Bednar was good at this back in the Pikemaster days… I will be writing a letter to the DNR to make sure they hear the voice of “Joe public”. I would like to encourage you to do the same…
This needs to be healthy if we are going to win this battle… My letter will focus on:
• How exciting it is to have a natural muskie population in the northern lower that has this size potential – and how unique the chain is compared to other northern lower muskie fisheries (i.e. burt, mullet, etc.)
• An emphasis on how rare this caliber of fish really is throughout the muskie region, and based on that it just signifies how special this water is.
• An expression of my concern for the fragile nature of this fishery and the pressure it will see as a result of all of the publicity. Pressure not only from within Michigan, but from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Ontario, Ohio, Indiana, etc…
• Concern that this happened during a time when musky fishing is exploding in popularity
• My belief that regs should be evaluated to consider moving the
size limit that will help sustain a healthier population of the prime breading population – 52 or 54” limit
• Reference to the increase in fishing pressure Thornapple saw after the record fish was caught there. Many of our club member s can speak directly to the dramatic increase in pressure and decrease in larger specimens.
• A proposal to modify the open season including moving the opener to a post spawn date, such as June 15
• A reduction or elimination of spearing for this chain specifically – preserve this bchain , and consider leaving Burt mullet for the spearing crowd.
• An appreciation that this could be a really great thing for the Michigan DNR and Michigan tourism IF the fishery has the regs to sustain the population to the increased pressure.
• An expression of interest in the GLS program to build other quality fisheries which may have this same potential.
I am sure there are other important points, but this is what comes to mind as I write.
Will can help us with the names/addresses for the appropriate managers/directors within the DNR.
I will write my letter within the next week or so and if helpful will post, or can send it to any one of you to use as is or just as a though provoker.
Lets all step up! This is really important and the perfect time to let your voice be heard. All it takes is an hour or less and a stamp….
All great points and I am sure many others have been thinking of some of those same topics of discussion. Obviously the timing could not be better in order to stress the importance of preserving the muskie habitats in the state of MI. When selling any idea I think it's best when you highlight the WIFM or "What's In it For Me" or in other words, what would the state of MI gain by making & enforcing tougher rules to preserve the fisheries that support muskie populations. There is sound scientific evidence that currently supports increased size limits to 52-54", no spearing, catch & release, let alone the amount of increased revenue for people coming to our state to fish in the form of licenses, hotels, gas, etc, etc. I know one of the arguments in the past regarding not outlawing spearing was that open water fisherman may kill just as many fish due to delayed mortality as the dark house folks. Although the Noble Beast Project has just gotten started, it has already studied 21 fish between 30-52 inches that were caught under "normal" C&R methods and all 21 fish survived (Musky Hunter Oct/Nov Issue). Hopefully sound scientific evidence and increased revenue opportunity to the state of MI will help to ensure that MI muskie fishing will continue to get better. Thank you to everyone that has made contributions to our muskie fisheries and I look forward to anything I can do to help in the future. I would be interested in what Chad & others have thought about highlighting to the DNR and I am sure Kyle himself would attest to the importance of C&R and be a great spokesman for the cause. He may have even caught that girl once before years ago.
• A reduction or elimination of spearing for this chain specifically – preserve this bchain , and consider leaving Burt mullet for the spearing crowd.
So if the the state record was taken out of burt or mullet or any other lake would the push be on for a spearing ban or a size increase?
nice fish kyle great catch
"ron berry" said:
• A reduction or elimination of spearing for this chain specifically – preserve this bchain , and consider leaving Burt mullet for the spearing crowd.
So if the the state record was taken out of burt or mullet or any other lake would the push be on for a spearing ban or a size increase?
nice fish kyle great catch
I am just using as examples. I don't have the data to make that decision… But, I also think eliminating spearing all togather will not happen. So, maybe there is a comprimise??? It is just a thought to try to preserve the best musky water. If that is not the torch chain, fine. Let the data speak.
"ron berry" said:
• A reduction or elimination of spearing for this chain specifically – preserve this bchain , and consider leaving Burt mullet for the spearing crowd.
So if the the state record was taken out of burt or mullet or any other lake would the push be on for a spearing ban or a size increase?
nice fish kyle great catch
As of this point the exploitation from open water anglers is nearly that of the spearing community. Any changes in regulation would need to apply to all harvest methods.
"Chasin50" said:
Will can help us with the names/addresses for the appropriate managers/directors within the DNR.
Please direct any letters to:
Jim Dexter
Plainwell Operations Service Center
621 N. 10th Street
Plainwell, MI 49080
Jim is the Lake Michigan Basin Coordinator. He was our partner when I pushed for the 50" size limit on Thornapple. He will pass on any communication to those involved with the study at the Charlevoix office, as well as those on the Esocid Committee.
I would also ask that you please send a copy to me by mail or e-mail so I can keep these on file.
Thank you Chad for bringing this up and I would encourage everyone to take 5 minutes to pass along your thoughts to the DNR.
"We feel envy, anger, confusion, disbelief, and even helplessness."
Well, maybe folks will feel better if they consider that in a few thousand years many existing species of all sorts of critters, including people and muskies, will likely be extinct. Relax, have a beer and try not to get all emotional over a fish.
Works for me.
Great points Chad! Well reasoned, solid suggestions as usual, we have so many highly informed and experienced guys in this group that I often feel like a dumb-ass when reading the posts! And I thought Jim Dexter was a really good guy back in the pike lobbying days. The mostly symbolic reg change took about 7 years of campaigning, but Jim and other biologists aren't the reason for that. Among other complications, it seems the undue influence of even a small number of largely consumtpive folks, like the darkhouse group, can make things tough. Anyway, hell yes let's make ourselves heard. One plus is there still isn't many that bother, which can be used to the benefit of the fragile fishery – a couple dozen letters can seem like a huge outcry, relatively speaking. In any case, thanks Chad, for starting this off.
Not sure I should mention this now, but I got a little chuckle when I saw this. Maybe you all have seen this a thousand times, but this is a page I always ignored on the MI DNR site.
Anyone ever notice the first two (of three) photos of the muskellunge portion of the “Michigan Fish and How to Catch Them”?
Not trying to rile anyone here, just had to laugh at the implication:
<url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
"><link_text text="[Permission to view this media is denied] … –,00.html">[Permission to view this media is denied]
I am like anybody else, I don't want to see any waters exploited, but at the end of the day, I think this fish being caught is awesome for Muskies in Michigan. Any kind of buzz that creates excitement/interest in these fish certainly is good for steering public opinion that these fish are out there, exciting, and a resource worth seeking out and protecting. I know that I personally have fished for just about everything that swims and never targeted muskies outside of St. Clair because I simply thought that any of our inland musky waters were a needle in the hay stack fishery that were not worth the time. I fish WI a few times a year and feel that Muskies are much more imbedded in the fishing community and even in the non fishing community. The more people get excited about it and fish for them, the more bait shops pop up, guides add promotional value, catch and release is empasized, and the general public begins to feel they are part of the outdoors mystic of the area. We still have such a hurdle, here in MI, for people to realize they are a fishable resource that should be promoted for everything they offer (outside of being eaten). I will say even though I don't keep any of these guys, and that it was cool that Kyle tried to release this fish…it is the one fish that if someone really wanted to keep one, this would be reasonable. I think that even though muskies inc. is a great promoter of the fishery and education of the fish…we are still all guilty of keeping our secrets regarding the fishery…because if word gets out…people are going to start to use it and crowd our spots.
Anyway, awesome fish to pop in MI; my Thornapple dream just got altered slightly…..my fish just has to be a little bigger than what I thought I needed to catch.
Happly Fall Hunting.
"john c" said:
Not sure I should mention this now, but I got a little chuckle when I saw this. Maybe you all have seen this a thousand times, but this is a page I always ignored on the MI DNR site.Anyone ever notice the first two (of three) photos of the muskellunge portion of the “Michigan Fish and How to Catch Them”?
Not trying to rile anyone here, just had to laugh at the implication:
<url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
"><link_text text="[Permission to view this media is denied] … –,00.html">[Permission to view this media is denied]
I know there is a history associated with spearing here in Michigan, but I am actually shocked that this is on the DNR web page… PETA would have a field day…
Well said Tory, I think you are 100% right on.
And the unfortunate reason the DNR page has those spearing photos is their staff photographer was up on Black for the Shiveree, so he happened to get those photos a couple years back. He was up there because Darkhouse president Holmes somehow got the DNR boss to spend a day in the shack with him, I'm sure filling her head with our sorts of his "wisdom". The DNR photographer's archive does have some other musky fishing photos, they must have figured the guy in them was too ugly for the website or something.
What I love is that the last photo looks like Brett Alexander who's a guide from Green Bay and that picture looks mysteriously like Long Tail point. The fish wasn't even caught in Michigan! Careful guys. We all know that there are individuals within the MDNR that are avid spearers and advocates of more spearing, no matter what the cost to the resource. Well, maybe not all of us know but I do…………….
At second look, I take it back…..it kinda looks like Bondy but can't be sure.
I would like to bring thas back on topic… I was hoping to generate some discussion around the points that are important to each one of YOU.
I think the DNR hears plenty from our President. In the past, there have been other members who have interacted or talked with the DNR on a specific project or issue. These folks have served as the "voice", and have represent you and your interests.
I think what has been communicated on your behalf has been fantastic, and has provided YOU with the fisheries we have today.
My point is, this is not to take anything away from anything that has been, or is being done by those representing us.
I just think it is good for the "little guy" to speak. Its like the CEO of a company talking to "the guy on the floor", or the Preident having a "town Hall Meeting"…
So, what do you want the DNR to know? What do you want out of the Michigan muskie fisheries? What do you want to tell the DNR that you think they are doing right?
This is what I plan to capture in my message… I will be working on this shortly.
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