Would you keep a potential state record?

[PackerBacker12]

I agree that the person catching the fish should be able to do as they please with it. I don't think I would keep a musky ever. Even if it was the state record, that wouldnt mean much to me. I dont kare if my name is listed in the books with a state record. I would make sure to get good pics and good measurements and release the fish. I would get a replica made. I would also post the pics on here! Letting other people see it and comment on the photos would be worth more to me than my name in the record books.

[fishuhalik]

Id keep it, without a 2nd thought. I guess I'm an egotistical pig cuz I would love to see my name in the record book. And I think hanging in display on my wall, and Cabelas wall probably, would be a great end to a great fish.

[ogrejce]

I'm going to quote my buddy: "The only way your keeping that fish is if you swim to shore with it." We were in his boat, seemed fair. I think it is up to the angler to make the choice, after all if they buy a license they can play by the rules. However that rule applies in my boat too.

[CANOPY SAM]

I think I'd be swimming to shore with a 54+ lb. musky in tow then!

That would actually be kind of fun. Trying to a pull along a giant live musky in the water. According to River Monsters, Jeremy Wade, I wouldn't stand much of chance. But I'd sure give it a try!

[MuskieFever]

I would let the beast swim away. I would love to be the guy that has his name in the state record spot, but after seeing some monster follows this summer, I realize I only saw these fish due to catch and release and stocking.

[john skarie]

I skipped to the end here, but will reply to one statement regarding that old fish have eggs that aren't viable.

That is hogwash. It's a myth that allows people to kill big fish without feeling the argument that they have good genetics is valid.

As someone who has worked in fisheries in MN, and been involved in taking eggs from fish that some would say weren't viable anymore I can attest to that.

JS

[Yooperguy]

Heck I'd release her if it were a world record. All the guys with dreams of having their names in the record book tell me this, and no cheating.

Who holds the MN state record for biggest muskie, walleye and pike? The three most popular fish in our state. I can't so I don't think it really matters.

[kapp]

some folks are motivated to catch the state record muskie, most know what it would take to qualify....GIRTH !!! that being said how do we know someone didn't catch the same fish a month earlier or two weeks eairlier and it weighed 10 lbs less, it was still a beautiful 56 incher

wow!!! so just because it was gorging on tulibees is the fish any greater of a catch than it was a month ago? i think i would release it.

and thanks to everyone that has!

[Big Dave2]

I don't know this for a fact but I would think that with a record Musky, Walleye or Bass there could be money attached. Either from endorsements of the products you were using or maybe by selling the mount of the fish itself.

Throw that fish back and you could be throwing thousands of dollars into the lake as well. Just one more thing to think about.

[tolle141]

I don't know this for a fact but I would think that with a record Musky, Walleye or Bass there could be money attached. Either from endorsements of the products you were using or maybe by selling the mount of the fish itself.

Throw that fish back and you could be throwing thousands of dollars into the lake as well. Just one more thing to think about.

You do have a good point and with fish that are very commercialized like largemouth bass, marlin, or tuna there's big money from interviews and whatnot. Muskies, awesome as they are, probably wouldn't carry that much money if any at all. Plus there's the stigma associated with keeping one.

There could be a couple of nice sponsorships though if one is an avid trophy hunter.

[mrbigfish]

Absolutely keep it! Too many people would doubt the size over just a photo and the fish won't live much longer anyhow.

[JackPineGuy]

Absolutely keep it! Too many people would doubt the size over just a photo and the fish won't live much longer anyhow.

for sure dude. FO SHO, and i bilk sum tackle company into an endorsment deal untill i made my 1st mill or so, then id be out like a drought and fall from the public eye. I would most def lie about the body of water it came from. Id prolly say i got it in like lake tetonka or sum skizzy river system like that. Id just be a hardcore blowhard about it just ta make sum money. Id play my card right tho unlike that guy who got that bass on auburn a few years back. Bilk Bilk Bilk thats whats it all about these days.

[thatoneguy]

Stay classy, San Diego.

[thatoneguy]

Heck I'd release her if it were a world record. All the guys with dreams of having their names in the record book tell me this, and no cheating.

Who holds the MN state record for biggest muskie, walleye and pike? The three most popular fish in our state. I can't so I don't think it really matters.

I bet you'd remember if it was you. Or a relative. Or a close friend. I know I would.

[DrJuice1980]

I don't fish Muskies so if it was me I would take that $.99 crappie tube jig out, tie on a husky jerk Rapala on my Abu baitcast setup with a spool of nano in plain site behind me, find any sort of promotional t-shirt and snap as many photos as possible. Unfortunately by the time I was done that thing would be long gone and headed up on the mantle. Just keeping it real boys.

[Muskiefool]

no & nope

[cherokee]

I am guessing only 10% (lucky enough to catch such a beast) would properly release such a big fish in a manner that it would live after the release. The rest would take so many photographs and keep it out of the water that they would be better off keeping it anyways.

Just my opinion but seriously, I have seen too many people mishandle big fish to get the almighty picture.

[Musky Buck]

You may not have the choice, was it Ryan Beckers with Hammernick this fall, 55 3/4 inch x girth likely maybe the record but if the 56" thing goes through state records maybe would have to be released I guess there's no maybe about it.

[SmellEsox]

Fish theoretically have indeterminate growth which means they have the potential to keep growing throughout their lives. If they have enough of the appropriate size prey, they theoretically could keep growing. Those that are saying these fish don't have much longer to live, I might disagree. These fish are obviously in prime condition and don't look like they are on their way out at all. I highly doubt they are going to die anytime soon. The only way she won't keep growing is if she is at the very optimal size that the lake's prey community will allow her to grow. Old age, injury, etc., will eventually catch up of course, and she will thin out and die, but who knows when that will happen.

I do think that some of these fish are just different behaviorally. Some of them probably are more pelagic and just are not that vulnerable to anglers until fall when ciscos are moving in to spawn. They just live out in the middle of nowhere gorging on tulibees. That is why they look so clean and show no signs of angler injury.

To each their own in regards to keeping one. I guess I'm not one who really cares about my personal accomplishments being shown in the record books. I fish the Miss. R. most of the time and I can't keep one there. So obviously I don't care. I caught my personal best back in the early 90s and I'd been fishing muskies for only about 6 years. I always thought at that time that I wanted to someday mount a trophy. As I was handling her, the only thing going through my mind was to get her back in the water as soon as I could.