Well most stories, actually all up till now, that I've heard about the winter musky harvest haven't been so favorable regarding folks actually obeying the new tag law. But here's one that turned out about as well as can be expected:

Yoop lake X has been getting speared more and more the last 3 years. "Angler" takes a 46"er a few weeks ago, tells the world up there. Word finally reaches a musky nut, asks around if the spearer used his tag. No one up there knows much of the tag, shockingly, and the consensus is a big no. In fact it sounds like a tag has never been and might never be used in the yoop given the responses. Sooo…the DNR is called (go proactive yooper!)…spearer's shack is still on the ice a week after bragging up the kill. Officer confronts the angler, asking how the season has gone. Nothing admitted, but the CO notices some uneasiness…asks about a 46" fish speared on the lake a week ago. Suspect surprisingly takes credit for the fish! Immediately the CO starts in about the new tag system, why he's still targeting muskies at this time and such. He's about to get off with a warning, playing dumb saying that he'll stop chasing muskies right away now that he understands these complicated new rules. CO is about to leave but before heading out asks to see the angler's license. It shows that a musky tag was bought just a few days before, after the 46" was killed! CO then realizes that he's been lied to & that the angler understood the musky tag law from the get go most likely. A ticket was issued! First one of which that I've heard of…thanks to the fella who reported the violation (one of my fav fishin buds!), and to the CO, who is one of the best! He has like 4 counties to cover by himself up there, but he really does do his best, and loves muskies which helps. It is a real tough law to enforce, so it sure is great to hear when it does work out to help our resource!