54" Statewide Min

[bemidjibasser]

The new size restriction doesn't go far enough in protecting muskies (big or small ) in my opinion If we truly want to manage muskies for maximum trophy potential. Any fish under 54" should not be allowed to be netted or taken into the boat (cradle with ruler maybe) Photo in water only. Strict, sure but we are managing muskies as a trophy fish. Let's do it right.

[CaptainMusky]

Agreed bemidjibasser. The nets of today are far better than they used to be. Obviously putting them in a walleye net isn't a good thing but I prefer the horse them in get to the net sang use the proper tools to release vs the play them out to hand land or cradle them cradles are junk IMO. A knot less net is far better than a cradle.

[Esox_Magnum]

Proper net leaves the fish in the water while unhook in and a nice resting pool to recoup before release...

[CaptainMusky]

Talking about the December 1st closure date, not the opening date.

oh I gotcha now. I could go either way on that one. Targeting muskues through the ice is 10x harder then open water but the thing to me is to you preserve something with a population 1/10th of 1% of the population of other game fish regarding seasons the same way? I wouldn't think so.

[cherokee]

Yes, a proper net that is big enough and does not have the knots that bloody the fins is the way to go. Proper release tools are a must as well. Not many people are equipped or know how to properly handle a big fish.

Touchy subject for sure as there are those that just want to fish and not be regulated to death. There are also those that specifically target a certain fish like muskies. Maybe it's time for a muskie stamp to fund a required clinic to teach proper handling methods (for those who specifically target musky). It can only help. There will be a thousand what about this? what about that? Progress is being made but more needs to be done. IMO

[not_nuf_time]

Try a cradle when fishing alone, let me know how that goes. On serious note, Of everyone now talking about mortality and ease of release, how many of you are going barbless? Not looking for an answer, but it really does make for a nice release, and you really wont loose fish on the fight. You will but not often.

[tolle141]

Try a cradle when fishing alone, let me know how that goes. On serious note, Of everyone now talking about mortality and ease of release, how many of you are going barbless? Not looking for an answer, but it really does make for a nice release, and you really wont loose fish on the fight. You will but not often.

I (and many others) crush down our barbs as much to reduce damage to the fish as to limit the doctor bill when we inevitably get lit up by our own hooks. When those want to roll, they roll.

[not_nuf_time]

Yep, best part about barbless is if you fish alone alot, little bit safer.

[Cooter]

And here in scoonie we are happy to get to 40" statewide......maybe mn going to 54 will help us get to 45 or 48

Btw - why cant we spear bluegills?

[Jameson]

...Btw - why cant we spear bluegills?

not sure...

Why can't we use bluegills for bait in MN like Sconnie land?

[JackPineGuy]

isint it 40 for tigers now anyway

[SmellEsox]

I love muskies with all my heart, but I'm pretty sure muskie anglers kill far more muskies than the "oops I caught one and am going to kill it" angler.

[laker1]

Som people who want a 54 inch size limit will hold a musky 10 different ways out of water to get pictures,than puts it in the water and gives it a push downward saying it is fine.

I think delayed mortality is higher than you think once water temps hit 70 degrees.

[pushbutton]

No doubt true. Used to be a complete catch and release snob, but after spending a few years on this site and "listening" and thinking about why people fish and their expectations of their experience, have found myself fishing less and eating more. Having said that, just imagine what our lakes would look like if all the different species fisherman would treat the fish/resource like the muskie fisherman, and suppose you should lump the bass fisherman in as well.......do. Yes, there would still be a certain level of mortality, but also no doubt true, there would be, in most lakes cases........ a heckuva lot more fish of all sizes out there ....to catch.... release.....and/or eat

[Riverratpete]

I don't see the point of the 54 inch minimum..once again politicians catering to a small group of extremists within our midsts and feel good legislation, really won't have much of an impact on the fishery in the big scheme of things...calm down now, we know who you are before you start the purity tests, I love to fish Muskies also and have caught and released many and I personally do not keep muskies but I don't fault anyone that does..just my thing. In the immortal words of Jackie Moon "ELE! Everybody love everybody!"

[FowlSki]

Som people who want a 54 inch size limit will hold a musky 10 different ways out of water to get pictures,than puts it in the water and gives it a push downward saying it is fine.

I think delayed mortality is higher than you think once water temps hit 70 degrees.

I don't know of any muskie fisherman that would push a fish downward upon release. You can also take a lot of pictures in 30 seconds. Not many guys would keep a fish out of the water for more than a minute. Even a minute is too long and not neccesary IMO.

There is certainly going to be delayed mortality, along with every other species of fish that people target or catch. (more the reason for the protected slot imo, to protect the fish we have) And water temp certainly plays a role which is why a vast majority of muskie fisherman hang it up when the water hits 80 degress. I would say muskie fisherman are some of the most, if not the most careful fisherman when it comes to handling fish.

Do you muskie fish or are you just shooting comments from the hip?

[mainbutter]

Why can't we use bluegills for bait in MN like Sconnie land?

My biggest complaint

[Cooter]

Boy, them flatties sure eat em here!

not sure why we cant spear cats, or bass, or perch, or crappies, or walleyes - only carp and suckers, what gives?

Heck, why cant we shock or dynamite them? Its all about responsible harvest afterall.

[Jameson]

Boy, them flatties sure eat em here!

not sure why we cant spear cats, or bass, or perch, or crappies, or walleyes - only carp and suckers, what gives?

Heck, why cant we shock or dynamite them? Its all about responsible harvest afterall.

With shock or dynamite we would go over our limits very easily and 'uncontrollably.' With a spear or hook we only catch one fish at a time. It should be about more than just responsible harvest, but also responsible fishing...the reason many muskie fisherman stop fishing for muskies when the water is too warm.