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48" Limit for Detroit Lakes area

copterjohn

By copterjohn
in Muskies-Musky Fishing

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copterjohn Enthusiast

copterjohn

Posted
Posted

After watching and hearing about several 40+ DL area muskies going home with the Labor Day weekend crowd, I emailed the DNR office on Sallie to ask about interest in a 48" limit. This is the response for anyone interested in supporting such effort.

"Thank you for voicing your interest in a 48" minimum muskie limit. The 48" minimum limit was not put on Sallie, Detroit, and Melissa because there didn't seem to be a lot of support for/interest in that regulation at the time that many of the other muskie lakes in the state were pushing for the minimum size limit. However, within the past few years we have heard more and more people and sportsmens' groups expressing interest in the 48" minimum. It is definitely something that we have been and will continue to look into for the future. We will keep record of your comment for support of a 48" minimum size limit."

mle

Mandy LaZella Erickson

[email protected]

Fisheries Specialist

MN DNR - Fisheries Section

14583 County Hwy 19

Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

phone: 218-847-1579

fax: 218-847-1588

www.dnr.state.mn.us

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solbes Grand Master

solbes

Posted
Posted

I'm not even a muskie fisherman, but it seems to make sense to have a statewide 48" limit. If a fish is caught below the limit, a replica can still be made based on measurements and photos and then be released.

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Mikefrommason Apprentice

Mikefrommason

Posted
Posted

With any fish species, limits on different lakes can have a different effect. A minimum length might work better on some, a slot limit on others. I'd say 40 inches is fine for muskies on most lakes. You guys putting them back are missing out on a lot of fine eating! Musky are my favorite fish to eat! They used to win the overall food contest at the state fair in Iowa before the whole catch and release phase caught on.

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bubs Contributor

bubs

Posted
Posted

there is a guy that owns a cabin on a numbers lake in canada and he goes up there for three weeks each summer just to catch muskies to eat he will eat one every two to three days he just loves how they taste mad.gif imo It is just a little different than pike. at least it doesn't seem to hurt that lake smile.gif It is like fishing in and bass tank at the shows. I say make state wide 54 inch limit like lake of the woods. why keep one with the qualty of replica's today.

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bonelach Apprentice

bonelach

Posted
Posted

You're a dying breed....thankfully. In my oppinion, there shouldn't be a minimum length limit because it should be 100% catch and release. The only exception being a set of trebles lodged in the gills that will certainly kill the fish. Why keep a fish when replica's are a better and longer lasting product.

If you like eating muskies, go back to Iowa.

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scsavre Veteran

scsavre

Posted
Posted

agree 100% release. Unless the a fish dies. I saw a guy last year who had to mount 2 50's because he caught them trollin and didnt have the strenght to get back down. THe one was full of water. either wat the guy was very sad but couldnt just let it go floatin,.

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Hammer Handle Mentor

Hammer Handle

Posted
Posted

I catch and release most, but do keep some large northerns and muskie's for eating and pickling.

I may be a "dying breed", but I will continue to do so as long as it is legal.

What is next? Making it illegal to shoot a big buck?

Yes, I do release 90% or more...but not 100%. If it is ethical to shoot all the big deer and let the little ones go and shoot ducks and only take the "good meat" and discard the rest...why can't I keep a few muskies to eat?

I have stated my opinion before and shouldn't again...but I just couldn't resist. Please, no hateful responses as I was not trying to upset anyone...just state my opinion like everyone else.

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AWH Mentor

AWH

Posted
Posted

Quote:

I catch and release most, but do keep some large northerns and muskie's for eating and pickling.

I may be a "dying breed", but I will continue to do so as long as it is legal.

What is next? Making it illegal to shoot a big buck?

Yes, I do release 90% or more...but not 100%. If it is ethical to shoot all the big deer and let the little ones go and shoot ducks and only take the "good meat" and discard the rest...why can't I keep a few muskies to eat?

I have stated my opinion before and shouldn't again...but I just couldn't resist. Please, no hateful responses as I was not trying to upset anyone...just state my opinion like everyone else.

Comparing hunting to fishing is an apples to oranges comparison. But since it was brought up...I have never hunted in my life. But I know enough hunters and I know enough about the sport to know that "shooting all the big deer" is not what is good for the resource. Where QDM (Quality Deer Management) has taken place, there are significant positive effects of the hunting experience in these areas. I'm sure you've heard of selective harvest when it comes to fishing. QDM is selective harvest when it comes to hunting.

I am curious as to why you would choose to eat a large northern (5 to 10 pounds or bigger) over a 2 to 4 pound fish? Other than the obvious "more meat" factor? I can't imagine it's for the quality of the meat?

On to the original topic...thanks for posting this! I didn't realize that the musky lakes in this area didn't pass for the 48" size limit. That's too bad. I would encourage everyone to send an email to support higher size limits not only in the Detroit Lakes area but all across the state. I sent an email as soon as I saw this post and received a response in less than a day thanking me for my support.

Aaron

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Hammer Handle Mentor

Hammer Handle

Posted
Posted

Actually, I try to keep only the males and the smaller size for frying.

I keep a few large ones for pickling. I love pickled northern/muskie and so do many people that come over. I keep a few large fish by Christmas so that I can have a lot of pickled northern and it always gets eaten. If I kept a limit of smaller fish, I would never have enough at this time.

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Paul Veteran

Paul

Posted
Posted

Quote:

Actually, I try to keep only the males and the smaller size for frying.

I keep a few large ones for pickling. I love pickled northern/muskie and so do many people that come over. I keep a few large fish by Christmas so that I can have a lot of pickled northern and it always gets eaten. If I kept a limit of smaller fish, I would never have enough at this time.

Well I am sure you are not exceeding the lawfull possesion limit by counting what you have at home in the freezer or Jar as possion correct? NOt be starting another argument but that is law correct?

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Hammer Handle Mentor

Hammer Handle

Posted
Posted

No, I am saying that if I keep a limit of three 3 pound norherns and pickle them...I don't have that much. Keep three 8 pound northerns...I have a lot more pickled fish and bigger tastier pieces.

I never keep over my limit at home. Besides, they are eaten too fast! The best breakfast in the world is fried fish and toast!

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bonelach Apprentice

bonelach

Posted
Posted

My oppinion came off a little to harsh, but I do feel passionate about our muskies here in MN.

As far as proving a state record, I am in the beliefe that an accurate length and girth measurement followed by a couple good pics and the realease is all you need. And if the formula (length x girth x girth)/ 800 (i think thats correct) puts your fish over that state record wieght, well then you'll know you caught the record fish. So your name doesn't get put in the books,...big deal. You'll still get plenty of hype, just ask Jonesi. That's the way i would do it anyways.

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