If you fish muskies, this is a MUST read!

[AWH]

If you fish for muskies, this is critical that we get as many people as possible to voice their support here. Although this meeting is only about one specific body of water, if this stocking fails to go through, this could have an effect everywhere. Muskies already exist here, being native to this water. They just exist in low numbers. So if future stocking doesn’t happen here due to opposition and not enough support, how are we going to get support for stocking of other new waters in the state? Although this is in MN, this isn’t a MN only issue. This could have an effect (positively or negatively) anywhere that there’s opposition to musky stocking. So please voice your support on this matter. Whether it’s attending the meeting, sending an email or letter, or giving them a phone call. We need everyone’s support to help the future of our sport!

Here’s some more details….

News Release: DNR Fisheries requests public input on proposal for stocking muskies in Brainerd.

The MN DNR Area Fisheries Office in Brainerd is announcing a public Open House as a courtesy for anyone who would want to provide input into the proposal to stock muskies in the Miss. river in the river reach extending from above the Paper Mill Dam to Aitkin. Muskies are already present in this specified reach but are believed to be in low abundance. Public input is being solicited from the public in an effort to determine the level of support for such management. The meeting will be held at the:

**DNR Office Building located at 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday August 24th.**

There will be a 10-day comment period following the meeting when the public is welcome to send their comments by US Postal Service at the above listed address or email to the Area Fisheries HSOforum at:

[email protected]

www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/brainerd/index.html

You may call the Area Fisheries Office at 218-828-2550 if you have any questions.

***The BLC played a very instrumental part in getting this stocking proposal to go through. Without the chapters' growth and strong support this proposal would have never become a reality. It is now our turn again to show the DNR that there IS an EXTREME amount of support for the stocking efforts in our area!! Please make an effort to attend or contact the DNR to express your support for Brainerd Lakes area muskie stocking.***

And the latest…..

There has been strong opposition to the proposed stocking of muskies in the Mississippi River above the dam this fall. DNR staff have encouraged us to have a strong Chapter presence at this meeting (August 24, 6-8 p.m.) at the DNR headquarters in Brainerd. If this stocking is stopped, it is unlikely that future stocking of new waters will succeed. Please encourage fellow members/any muskie enthusiast to attend this meeting, call, email, write a letter, etc.

We can definitely make a difference here. But we need as much support as possible, no matter where you are from!

Thanks,

Aaron

[freebledsoe]

Do you know what the reasons are for the opposition to this plan?

[AWH]

I haven't heard what exactly the opposition is. But most often in cases like this, it's coming from uneducated individuals who do not understand what a musky does or does not do in a fishery. Uneducated anglers will be very quick to blame muskies for anything negative happening on a fishery. They don't understand, or aren't willing to admit, that all lakes will go in cycles. So if fishing for a particular species is down for a few years, they will blame muskies with no evidence to support this. Funny thing is, when the lake cycles the other way and fishing improves, you don't hear about the muskies "eating all their fish" anymore.

Unfortunately, we have a long way to go on educating people. This is an ongoing battle that will likely never end. But the Brainerd Lakes Chapter of Muskies Inc. has been working very hard with the DNR to do just this thing. They've put together an educational video along with the help of the DNR and Ted Takasaki. This video will be very educational on the effects that muskies will have on a fishery when introduced into new water. The DNR will show actual evidence of the impacts, not myths that people continue to believe as facts. So hopefully this will help when this video is released, which should be in September sometime.

Aaron

[CaptainMusky]

If there are muskies there naturally, why would they have to attain an approval to stock them?

No one would ever object to walleye stocking even if the fish was never in a particular body of water. I think it equates to walleye is something I can eat, and muskies are something that eat everything in the lake making it harder for me to catch something to eat mentality.

The forage base of that stretch of the river must be loaded with suckers, bullheads, carp, etc, this would be an excellent opportunity for the muskies to thrive.

I am still confused as to why the DNR needs public approval if muskies are there naturally. Just dump the fish in there, it isn't like they are introducing something new to the lake. I could see it in that case.

Maybe they just want to know if people would actually fish for them making the $$$$ worth it.

[DUCKJ]

I dont realy think its a approval thing but more of infoming the public that they are thinking of doing it and to see if there is any negative oppinions. Yes there are Muskies in this boby of water but the DNR still has to inform the public and let them know what they are doing and when they are planning on doing it. And I think that is the reason for the meeting.

They dont need approval to do it.

Duck

[CommonSense Guy]

The DNR will listen to your concerns. We must use our leverage. Join Muskies Inc, all of you. I know there are members on this board. We just raised 14k to stock fish in White Bear Lake. These are adult fish. We you can put together that kind of money and support the DNR will listen to you.

[AWH]

Just a reminder that the meeting is tonight. After this, they will be accepting public input for 10 days. If you're unable to attend, please take a minute to send an email or give them a call to voice your support!

Thanks,

Aaron

[wallydiver]

I sent them an email in support of this.

[Random guy]

Email sent, this is similar to the Red lake slot limit situation for both walleye and pike. Safety in numbers.For those of you that feel you would like to voice your opinion about Upper Red Lake Pike and Walleye restrictions Check this out,

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=609295&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[JJJ]

I sent my e-mail to the brainerd fisheries.

[DUCKJ]

THANKS GUYS FOR ALL YOUR HELP.

DUCK