Muskie Spearing Tournament in WI

[DTro]

REALLY??

A musky spearing tournament sponsored by a northern Wisconsin Native American tribe on Saturday is raising concerns from the Department of Natural Resources.

The Lac du Flambeau band of Lake Superior Chippewa will be using five Vilas County lakes for the spearing tournament, with tribal members allowed to spear an unlimited number of muskies when spearing through ice.

The DNR has requested that the Lac du Flambeau inform the state how many muskies are speared during the tournament, as a courtesy, according to a news release from the DNR.

"The DNR feels this data is necessary to examine any potential differences in harvest or effort rates with incentivized spearing harvest tournaments on these northern lakes," Mike Staggs, DNR fisheries bureau director, said in the release.

Posters advertising the "Honoring Our Treaty Rights" spearing tournament were displayed in Vilas County this week.

The poster advertises $6,500 in prizes, the lakes being used — Big Lake in Boulder Junction, Big St. Germain, Big Arbor Vitae and North and South Twin Lakes — and an awards ceremony Saturday afternoon in Lac du Flambeau.

The DNR said it's working with the Lac du Flambeau band so the public knows there will be holes cut in the ice on those five lakes.

Contestants must present Lac du Flambeau tribal identification to participate in the tournament.

"We want to be sure the spearing holes are clearly marked," said Karl Brooks, DNR deputy chief warden. "This is consistent with other spearing activities, and is meant to inform those who may not be expecting holes on the ice."

The rights to spear fish by the six Lake Superior Chippewa bands were upheld in court 30 years ago.

[DrJuice1980]

Seems like a " power" move. Unless this is something traditional. I've never heard of it though.

[Yooperguy]

This really is in poor taste. If anyone that cares anything about fishing or fisheries should never set foot in any of their casinos again. This really is the only way anything can be done.

[Yooperguy]

Seems like a " power" move. Unless this is something traditional. I've never heard of it though.

How many tournaments do you think their forefathers had. Bet they would frown on this big time. This has little to do with rights or tradition or subsistence.

[Nick Kuhn]

Sadly they account for the majority of muskies harvested in Wisconsin. Spring spearing is regulated, but winter spearing is not.

[Jameson]

Dtro, where did you get your info?

From the WDNR site: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=2703

News Release Published: March 14, 2013 by the Central Office

Contact(s): Bill Cosh, DNR spokesperson, 608-267-2773; Mike Staggs, DNR fisheries bureau director, 608-267-0796; Karl Brooks, DNR deputy chief warden, 608-266-7820

MADISON - Department of Natural Resources officials are notifying anglers and others recreating on the ice in Vilas County that the Lac du Flambeau Tribe will be sponsoring a musky spearing tournament on five waters within the county on March 16.

Department conservation wardens are working cooperatively with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission to be sure the weekend’s activities are safe and that the public is notified of their occurrence. Spearing tournaments are legal pursuant to federal treaties, and regulations are enforced through GLIFWC and DNR conservation wardens.

“One thing we are working together to be sure of, is that spearing holes are clearly marked. This is consistent with other spearing activities, and is meant to inform those who may not be expecting holes on the ice,” said Karl Brooks, DNR deputy chief warden. “We have been in communication with GLIFWC wardens early and often and will continue to be in communication throughout the weekend.”

The DNR is also continuing efforts to work cooperatively with GLIFWC and the Lac du Flambeau tribe to manage the fishery within the Ceded Territory. The department has issued a request to the tribe to provide tournament results, as a courtesy.

“The formal tournament format is uncharacteristic of winter spearing in northern Wisconsin, and could result in effort and harvest rates not typical of standard winter spearing activities,” said Mike Staggs, DNR fisheries bureau director.

“DNR feels this data is necessary to examine any potential differences in harvest or effort rates with incentivized spearing harvest tournaments on these northern lakes,” said Staggs. “This is consistent with angling tournaments.”

In the letter, DNR requests information on the number of spearers by lake, tournament hours, harvest numbers for all fish by lake, as well as species and size of fish harvested by lake.

“Sustaining the fishery is our priority. We have worked closely with the tribe on management of the musky population and we will continue to do so,” concluded Staggs.

.....

Personally I don't like any fishing tournaments, and think the same of this one.

[FYGR8]

This really is in poor taste. If anyone that cares anything about fishing or fisheries should never set foot in any of their casinos again. This really is the only way anything can be done.

So true!!! Hopefully their efforts failed and no fish were taken.

The emphasis on the mining bill only makes the tribes pull out another card to prove their point.

[Yooperguy]

The funny thing is that most outdoorsmen don't like the mining either. So I really don't get how this would help the cause by alienating your most likely partner against this.

[DTro]

Dtro, where did you get your info?

http://host.madison.com/news/local/envir...zz2Nj1UPLprThis

[Cooter]

Since the wolf hunt this past fall the tribes have retaliated with pushes for night hunting deer, big increases in walleye spearing this spring, and apparently now this.

Stay tuned....

[10,000 Casts]

Anyone have the results? I'm curious to know if they had a successful tournament or if it was a bust.

[Esox_Magnum]

13 or 15 couple at or near 50...

[perchking]

Saw the pic in last nights local paper, I guess 14 where taken and the biggest was close to 49. there were over 100 fish that were speared that day, so it just wasn't musky.

[Cooter]

Good to see they got enough fillets to carry them over through the winter......

[walleye18]

thats the WI Tribes for you.....just doing what they do for spite!

I seen it when it all started....walleyes in tubs in dumps, wrecked lakes.

they are sticking it to us...kill the fish for "subsistance" and taking the money from the older generation at the casinos.

Really sad!