Spearing Contest!

[theiceman]

I would like to get some feed back on a thought I'm having. A spearing contest that targets small pike up to 22 inches.

My thought is limit it to 25 people on the given lake. Have 6 hours of spearing and no limit on the number fish taken up to 22 inches. A person in the contest would NOT be allowed to take a fish over the allowed size.

I know this would have to go in front of the DNR for approval, and I'm willing to do the foot work if people are interested. I think this could really help some of lakes with an abundance of hammer-handles.

Thanks for any input.

[Brad B]

this won't fly. you will never get DNR approval for the no limit part of it. if you stayed with the regular 3 fish limit then you could make this go. the other thing to think about is a fish that size does not have that much meat on it. this size fish would only be good for pickeling.

[Gordie]

the other thing to think about is a fish that size does not have that much meat on it. this size fish would only be good for pickeling.

I know that there are some really good knife handlers on these forums and they can take the Y bones out of these smaller fish and they do have quite a bit of meat for the pan. and yes they are good for pickeling but thats not the only thing there good for.

You would have to hol;d this contest on a experimental lake or get the the DNRs approval witch would be very hard to do IMO.

sounds like a good idea but I think you would have a tough time making a go og it.

If you did try you could make it a total pike fishing/spearing contest I personally feel you would have more particapants that way.

[pushbutton]

I think it is great idea, like Gordie mentioned, think it might be a tough sell to the DNR though, but can't hurt to ask. Might be a matter of finding the right person to ask in conjunction with trying to find a lake COMPLETELY over run with hammer handles and would benefit from a good thinning. Maybe try to get a hold of a pike specialist at the DNR. I personally do not have much desire to spear, but would certainly give it try for a situation like this. And yes, would be happy to do some carving to show that a good meal can be made out of smaller fish.

[mrklean]

Like the idea but will be a tough sell to the dnr

[Gordie]

Thanks pushbutton

[Shawn Kellett]

Wouldn't be that tough at all. We brought this up at the Esocide Workshops to the MDAA and they scoffed at it while one of the DNR guys thought it could have some merit.

Look at the lakes with special reg's and you'll find some lakes that have a 9 under x limit. I'd start with one of those lakes and start a dialog with the local DNR manager.

Personally I think it'd be a great idea!

[pushbutton]

Thanks pushbutton

A voice in my head was saying......" Bad Chad, Bad Chad"

[reinhard1]

heck, if something like this was possible i would love to come along and bring my tip ups and copies of pike recipe's. i'd even bring some other guy's to tag along. good luck.

[Jameson]

I like the idea. Have for a while. From the Ideal Pike Management Strategy thread:

Option Have the DNR directly hold tournaments, or issue permits to others to hold tournaments with prizes (say $500) for the participants who harvest the most hammerhandles. Prize money could come from the spearing license money. During these tournament only hammerhandles would be allowed to be harvested. The hammerhandles would be collected by the organizers and disposed of some how. Donated for food if possible. Fertilizer. Hog food. Something. (This would keep government growth to a minimum, and fisherman wouldn't have to possess hammerhandles.)

That's all I got. Laugh at it if you want. I tried.

If someone is willing to do the leg work you will have supporters. Enough of them? I'm not sure.

[mrklean]

what would happen if you speared a 23" fish? i think its a cool idea and would do it but wonder what type of rules there would be, no limit 22" and below with 2 above?

[pushbutton]

A spearing contest that targets small pike........

I think this could really help some of lakes with an abundance of hammer-handles.

[theiceman]

Thanks guys for the info. I'll start talking to the DNR.

[jasonmichalski]

what would happen if you speared a 23" fish? i think its a cool idea and would do it but wonder what type of rules there would be, no limit 22" and below with 2 above?

I think your right on the money that the max size is hard to judge quickly sometimes, but if you say two over some guys will target two over and thats it. If the target is young fish and bigger fish are legal, then make it a numbers game and fish over 22" don't count and the normal limit (2 over 24" in michigan just for example) does still count as your limit. If people take there 2 over 24" its not part of the contest, and no limit under 24" or 22" and only the smaller fish are part of the contest and any one that takes fish illegaly are out and dnr is called. If you try to have DNR onsite as part of a study it may help too. They could learn alot from looking at a lake before and after the smaller fish are removed and from studing the fish that are put on the ice. Try to push the DNR study part and it may help them see it as a good thing. Good luck hope it will happen.

[Spike76]

Most hammerhandles can be used to measure distance between studs, 16 inches, and not 22 inches. These at 22 inches are almost in the slot. I had 2 this year about 22, that were stuck between my tines. I don't travel to other lakes, so I haven't ever seen a lake with unlimited small pike. A 22 incher is a good eater, but 3 of them are a meal for 2. Anything other than eating or pikeling would be wasteful. It sounds like fun though, I'm more of a loner during the week, and grandkids on the weekends. People 100 yards away sometimes changes the spearing. I hope you get it and good luck with it.