55" caught by a kid from my home town.

[Big Dave2]

I don't care if I catch it. Ho hum another 55" musky. Have enough of those for myself.

Probably time to move on to something more challenging then? Like golf? Or maybe catfishing?

[CaptainMusky]

No I think I will take fake wrestling instead. Not a very good actor so that is a real challenge.

[delcecchi]

Yeah how many people caught and released that fish before he caught and kept it?

Muskies are "put and take" huh? I realize that many lakes they don't reproduce but if it was the intent of the mn dnr to create a put and take fishery they would stock tigers and lower the minimum size limit if there would even be one at all.

I don't find fault in someone keeping a legal fish but in reality they are being very selfish and thinking only for themaelf considering that same fish was likely caught and released many times in its life.

Far out. you say "I don't find fault in someone ...." and then proceed to do exactly that "they were being very selfish..."

It is rare one sees such blatant hypocrisy in a single sentence.

[eyeguy 54]

LOL, getting a good chuckle out of this thread.

[CaptainMusky]

Far out. you say "I don't find fault in someone ...." and then proceed to do exactly that "they were being very selfish..."

It is rare one sees such blatant hypocrisy in a single sentence.

yeah I could have worded that much better. What I meant was they don't realize they are being selfish due to the effort it takes to grow those fish to these sizes and the fact that their opportunity to catch it because many others had probably released it many times.

I won't lose sleep over someone keeping a legal fish but 9 out of 10 times its either someones "incidental" catch or someone who isn't aware of the ramifications (or both) that keep them.

[Big Dave2]

but 9 out of 10 times its either someones "incidental" catch or someone who isn't aware of the ramifications (or both) that keep them.

So, this is what's REALLY bugging you?

[CaptainMusky]

If you are insinuating that I am annoyed that someone who is fishing for walleyes, panfish, bass etc catches a big musky, no. Absolutely not. Perhaps that experience will turn them into a musky fanatic.

What I would like for more people to understand though is the impact to a fishery by keeping fish like this versus replica mounts.

That fish was 25 yrs old. Probably caught and released dozens of times.

Keeping a fish of that caliber isn't like keeping trophies of other species because the numbers are so low to begin with.

[delcecchi]

Then you ought to be contacting the DNR and your legislator to get Muskies made total catch and release, if you begrudge someone keeping what might well be the only musky that they will keep in their whole life.

[CaptainMusky]

Then you ought to be contacting the DNR and your legislator to get Muskies made total catch and release, if you begrudge someone keeping what might well be the only musky that they will keep in their whole life.

and you are implying that I haven't already done so? Besides I wouldn't want it total catch and release for when the time comes and someone chooses to break the state record they should have the opportunity to do it. Its been "broken" multiple times and released in recent years. Probably going to take a non musky guy to do it. Fortunately many of them aren't on the water when these truly giant fish can be had. They are sitting in a deer stand.

[delcecchi]

So you really do begrudge and disapprove of anyone who would harvest a legal musky. Or do you claim to hate the sin and love the sinner?

[CaptainMusky]

If I begrudged for harvesting then wouldn't I be adamant for total catch and release?

There's some fishing going on and its not on the water.

[delcecchi]

If I begrudged for harvesting then wouldn't I be adamant for total catch and release?

There's some fishing going on and its not on the water.

You just said so, except for the guy that catches a new state record and wants to keep it.

[eyeguy 54]

I'm just happy that if i catch the state record and keep it, it's ok....

[CaptainMusky]

Eye guy, if you catch one and its legal size now go ahead and keep it if you want to. Its not going to make me stay awake at night.

Del, so my point is its not total catch and release. I wouldn't be an advocate of that period. Thanks for confirming my point and agreeing with me that your accusations of me begrudging someone for keeping a legal musky are unfounded.

[delcecchi]

Quote:

Yeah how many people caught and released that fish before he caught and kept it?

in reality they are being very selfish and thinking only for themaelf considering that same fish was likely caught and released many times in its life.

What I meant was they don't realize they are being selfish due to the effort it takes to grow those fish to these sizes and the fact that their opportunity to catch it because many others had probably released it many times.

What I would like for more people to understand though is the impact to a fishery by keeping fish like this versus replica mounts.

That fish was 25 yrs old. Probably caught and released dozens of times.

Keeping a fish of that caliber isn't like keeping trophies of other species because the numbers are so low to begin with.

Besides I wouldn't want it total catch and release for when the time comes and someone chooses to break the state record they should have the opportunity to do it

QED

Or as someone once sang..."Why don’t you just come out once

And scream it"

[Yooperguy]

So what's the difference between this kids 55 and a state record? Dead is dead, is one less valuable then the other? I never will get either arguement, kid needs to keep it to be happy so its ok or it was a state record.

[TRZ II]

I'm a very avid multi-species fisherman. I target musky about 25% of the time. Fact is that avid musky anglers kill more fish by accidental hooking mortality than a "non" keeping one fish to mount. Most research says Musky live about 20 yrs. I have no problem with keeping one trophy in a lifetime, but some guys do. To each his own. I respect and understand both points of view.

[CaptainMusky]

yeah I could have worded that much better. What I meant was they don't realize they are being selfish due to the effort it takes to grow those fish to these sizes and the fact that their opportunity to catch it because many others had probably released it many times.

I won't lose sleep over someone keeping a legal fish

del since you are in the game of quoting me I thought I would help you with this one. I realized that prior one wasn't worded well to coincide with the point I was trying to get across.

Its obvious you have an agenda while I don't. If it makes you feel better you are right. Those that wouldn't keep a musky regardless of legality are all wrong and we should align all game and fish laws and ethics around your opinion whatever that may be.

[delcecchi]

No, I think however that if someone decides to keep a legal musky people should accept it and not talk as if were some tragedy.

It appears that you didn't think the kid should have kept the musky because you think that it was too valuable for someone to keep because they are scarce or hard to catch or old or someone else already released it.

You said you didn't mind, but you did. My agenda was merely to show you how you sounded. I found it off putting, personally, like you had the inside scoop on proper ethics. Someone following the regulations is not being selfish. But I guess we just aren't communicating very well.

I only fool around with musky fishing and honestly can't say what I would do if I got one that size. I know that if I caught a big northern I would let it go since I have caught some of those. On the other hand, if i were to catch a big fish of some kind and chose legally keep it for reasons of my own, I would be quite upset if someone told me I was being selfish for not releasing it.

What is with the bit about aligning the laws to my opinion? My opinion is aligned with the law, it is ok to take a musky over 48" if you choose to. Many choose not to. It is just like keeping bass, which is also legal although many choose not to.

That's my piece. Keep Calm and Carry On.

[DTro]

I don't have a problem with people legally keeping a fish, I mostly wonder why they do?

Much better table fare out there then a big old slimer, and I never understood the need for a fish on the wall. It doesn't make sense to me at all.

[CaptainMusky]

Del, I speak in generalities not necesarilly about the kid in question here. There definitely are circumstances at play with each situation that need to be considered like if the fish has encountered excessive stress and will not revive. I have a 12 year old. If he caught the fish he would release it if possible. Not because I made him but because I have talked to him about importance of catch and release and selective harvest. For any species not just muskies. It used to be that whenever you caught something big you kept it. Because it was "legal". This mindset is precisely why pretty much every year during the walleye opener the spawning grounds on lake saganaga are closed off. Far too many giant fish being harvested even though it was legal. Granted this is a different situation because the fish are concentrated in an area but the principle holds true.

Its not going to end musky fishing with this kid keeping a fish. I do think however with education about impacts etc SOME of these scenarios could be reduced and let the fish fight another day but if someone chooses to keep it that's their right.

[TRZ II]

I don't have a problem with people legally keeping a fish, I mostly wonder why they do?

Much better table fare out there then a big old slimer, and I never understood the need for a fish on the wall. It doesn't make sense to me at all.

Some people collect art for their domicile. I like to collect fish and wild game to adorn my walls. Again, to each his own. I can't understand not wanting to see a piece of what you love to do on your wall everyday constantly bringing back those great memories....

[CaptainMusky]

Some people collect art for their domicile. I like to collect fish and wild game to adorn my walls. Again, to each his own. I can't understand not wanting to see a piece of what you love to do on your wall everyday constantly bringing back those great memories....

Same could be done with a replica and most look better than skin mounts. My dad had a 42" Northern mounted and after about 8 years the think started looking terrible. He eventually got sick of looking at it because the fish didnt appear as he "remembered" it and ended up giving it away to a car wash/oil change attendant in Nisswa. Get your oil changed at the Valvoline in Nisswa on 371 and I believe it is still in there.

[SteveD]

WOW!! Nice fish and a great picture. Congratulations, Jake.

[JackPineGuy]

Sad... the artical is even sader the author is obiviousally a complete moron in the fishing game rappin about lac la parel for no reason. that fish at any time of the year is no were near a record, its very melnourished fish as many in wbl are because of the constant presh