Wisconsin Northern Spearing?

[GatorBait]

So I've been tossing this around for sometime now. The more I watch our western neighbors spear northern, the more geeked up I get about it. Wisconsin has no such season. I'm looking to see how you guys and gals feel about having such a season.

Currently I spoke with my Local C/O. He thought it was a great idea and has given me the correct steps in order to get the ball rolling. It's a long shot, but I believe it'd be worth it. I'd love to hear what everyone has to say. Pros and Cons are greatly appreciated. Thank You.

[DonBo]

Can't imagine why anyone would have issue with it, with the possible exception of a few dedicated musky nuts. (Maybe Cooter will chime in with his opinion) I know the musky guys get real up tight about the possibility of accidentally spearing one of their chosen golden fish. So you may want to keep it out of dedicated musky waters.

Outside of that I don't believe there will ever be enough people doing it to make a huge difference.

I say go for it!

[Cooter]

Man thats a bulk sized can of worms....

Have you given any thought to what kind of regulations would go along with it? I haven't given it a lot of thought myself and would be all for it with proper restrictions/regs - what exactly those would be I'm not sure. Interesting idea.

[HandySpence]

I have been spearing for 2 years now, and being able to tell the species of the fish can be difficult in murky water, unless you are familiar with the differences of muskies and northerns. I do know that there are some musky lakes in Minnesota that do not allow spearing on them. If I am unsure if a fish will make it over/under the slot I wont throw the spear.

If I were to start duck/goose hunting I would have to know the differences of each type of duck/geese before I start blasting away at them. Same is true for spearing.

If the ball gets rolling many different regulations would have to be put into place about locations you can spear, the seasons, sizes, etc. Spearing is a ton of fun, and it this forum is awesome because the seasoned guys can post info for the younger guys to learn from. Merkman, bass and spear, and elwood all seem to know a lot about the subject, which helps the younger generation learn some of the tricks.

[GatorBait]

I have to write up a report with details to present at the Spring Hearing, so this won't be easy by far. I plan on relating to regulations in place already by other states such as MN, MI, SD, ND and MT as a starting point to see what is similar and may work here in Wis. Obviously there are things that won't work and will have to be adjusted to our circumstances. With sturgeon spearing in place already, I'm pretty sure alot of regulations will also relate to how that is run too as they are similar in certain aspects.

The biggest and hardest thing I see is determining which lakes will be off grounds. Muskies are generally very popular in most northern lakes. South of Hwy 8, muskies aren't as populous, but this is why I will talk to my Biologist friend who can give me numbers for all the lakes to help with that. The last thing I want to do is start a war with the Musky guys. I happen to be one them also, so I understand that concern.

[Nick Kuhn]

Well the LCO tribe is already permitted to spear so maybe you could look into how they are regulated. Pike are an afterthought fish in Wisconsin anyway, perhaps this will make the DNR look at managing them as a resource more seriously.

I have a feeling though this idea won't get very far unless you can round up some supporters as well.

[merkman]

I say go for it.

If they shoot you down bring your WI money over here to MN and support those who allow you to darkhouse spear.

It is a great sport, a wonderful way to enjoy the resource, and it really has a very small overall impact on the resource.

Darkhouse spearing is basically hunting for fish, and it is just as much a sport as hunting for deer, bear, birds or ducks.

Take a look at ND and see how it was implemented there.

There are some very good studies of 1,3, and 5 year recaps that show the actual impact on the resource.

[GatorBait]

The feed back i'm obtaining for a wisconsin based fishing site has been pretty negative. Alot of individuals have been associatiing it towards the Tribal Walleye Spearing, in which many people hate. But, it's those few negative ones that forget that we also are able to spear sturgeon so they aren't sure what to say. But, that goes with everything. I've checked out the studies, thank you for that, and collaborated regulations from all states. Most are pretty simple and wasn't as in depth as I had thought. Ask merk says, all else fails, road trip to MN. Thanks for the feedback though guys. I appreciate it all, whether negative or not.

[DonBo]

The feed back i'm obtaining for a wisconsin based fishing site has been...

There's other sites?

[GatorBait]

Nothing in comparison to what we offer, but just another ability to network my idea around the state.

[klecker]

Pretty hard to get much positive off that site. Walleyg^%*@

[GatorBait]

Ya, even a fishing report. lol.

[gardn184]

I hear you on the northern spearing in Wisconsin, I go to school in Minnesota and my buddies got me absolutely hooked up here, when I go home to Rhinelander though it sucks not being able to spear, unless I make a road trip to the U.P. which luckily isn't that far away. I know that a majority of the lakes around Rhinelander have both musky and northern, but a majority of the water is also crystal clear, making it easier to distinguish the two fish

[Nick Kuhn]

Originally Posted By: GatorBait

The feed back i'm obtaining for a wisconsin based fishing site has been...

There's other sites?

Yeah, and those that were offering a negative opinion also are probably the guys who post pictures of limit after limit of fish on the ice...

[klecker]

Yeah, and those that were offering a negative opinion also are probably the guys who post pictures of limit after limit of fish on the ice...

[merkman]

You are on the right track GatorBait.

I hope you can make it work!!

One other point that may not be well known about Wisconsin Darkhouse Spearing.

Quote:

Northern pike may be speared through the ice in Lake Superior.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/fish/regulations/2009/documents/SpearNet0910.pdf

[GatorBait]

Thanks Merk, that's already a step in the right direction. I've been contacted by the President of the Minn Darkhouse Angling Assoc and will be speaking with him directly about my task at hand. Gotta thank HSO as it helped spread the word.

[GatorBait]

In order to create a list of potential members for the Wisconsin Darkhouse Angling Association, I am presently accepting names, mailing address and email address for a mailing list. I'll then be creating a database for these members to begin this organization in Wisconsin. If you would like to be apart of this and are in support of Darkhouse Angling in Wisconsin please send me an email to robnande at gmail dot com. Spread the word!

I would like to thank Tim, President of the Minn Darkhouse Angling Assoc for his much appreciated help in getting this going.