Some interesting stuff..

Jim Hudson · January 1, 2008

Rascal on the Chequamegon forum, reminded me of some stuff that I thought I mentioned in here, but guess I brain farted on it..

Right now, we have a politician in the Eagle River area, that passed a new rule change into this years budget. This rule change will allow for a new early season Catch and Release season on Musky in northern WI. It was a bill that was shuffeled, or back doored in my honest opinion.. Put in without any input from the public or the DNR themselves. Just by himself and the thinking of "others" that something like this would be beneficial to the economy of WI guides, resorts, and the alike.

But my thinking is that yes, it might bring more business, but in the end it will be detrimental to the overall health of our fishery. Early season means one thing, musky spawn. Females will be full of eggs and in concentraited areas to be caught and handled by people, where these fish could become stressed to the point of dropping their eggs or vacating the spawning areas. Overtime, this could be seen as a very bad thing... Our northern lakes rely heavily on natural reproduction and to allow catching and handling of these already low density fish, just does not make sense to me. MN protects their fish... MI protects their fish... Canada protects their fish.. And most importantly, WE protected our fish too... All these areas cited rely heavily on natural reproduction. Why mess with a good thing, ie protecting spawning fish, just to make a few extra bucks. Just defeats the long term sustainablity for your business and the fishery in the long run IMHO...

This rule change will not be implemented in the 2008 season, but is set to go on the books for 2009. So please, if you feel as I do about this situation, contact your local congress person, represenative, or both and let them know your thoughts. This needs to be overturned IMHO!!!

Also, interesting stuff happening in Green Bay with the Great Lakes Spotted Strain Musky.. During the past Spring Hearing meetings, a proposed rule change was introduced into quite a few counties state wide. Looking to increase the minimum size limit from 50 inches to 55 inches. This proposal was voted in favor heavily throughout the state, where it then was overturned by the Great Lakes Committee of the Conservation Congress.

This rule change was authored and proposed due to some individuals in the area killing every legal fish that they were catching and for the fact that is was found that these 50" fish or bigger were in the ages of under 15 years old. Showing that these fish had a lot more room to live and grow to their full potential, creating a very unique fishery (One that I would cite as being so unique, it could and probably will produce a fish over 70lbs). Also, the stocking effort to re-establish the Green Bay area with musky was for these fish to self sustain, so by taking out these relatively young fish of great size, is actually detrimental to self sustainment and potential recruitment of year classes of fish. And now, with VHS found to be in Lake Michigan, allowing more fish to stay in the system would seem reasonable in case an outbreak started in the musky population. Hoping that with more fish in the water more would be able to survive if they contracted VHS. All very common sense and biological reasons to me.. Plus, sociologically, we have a place where we all could go fish with the opportunity to hook and land giant muskys, ones that possibly could be 50, 60, or maybe even 70lbs!!!

Now, it is interesting one politician can put a bill through that makes no biological sense, but then a committe can overturn a proposed rule change (that was worked on hard and the authors spoke to DNR officials about prior to submitting it) at a drop of a hat, citing sociological reasons.

Just some tidbits for you WI anglers. Again, please do let your represenatives or congress people know, by writing or calling about these issues if you do feel strongly about them.

Thanks for letting me ramble!!

GatorBait · January 2, 2008

Jim,

A very good write up imho, not rambling. It is sad to hear about the early season C&R, I don't agree with this one bit as your point mentioned concerning spawning females is very strong. People will take advantage of this early season and I have no doubts this will affect the spawning that does occur. There is a reason why we have season openers dated at certain times. It's funny how it all tails down to making money. I understand it could bring more money in, but i'd rather see the fishery survive and prosper than be tormented during their spawning time. I'll be writing a few letters and making some phone calls next week to get the ball rolling on this. I have a few political boys that I work with that will also lend a hand on getting the word spread in Madison. It's easy to tie a little blurb in with a big package to get things passed w/o anyone really knowing what it means. I forsee that is how this went through.

Tightlines,

Gatorbait

GatorBait · January 3, 2008

Here a list of all the Representatives and Senators in relation to the affected C&R ruling. Also, some important DNR staff that I'm sure wouldn't mind some coaxing. Just copy and Paste all addresses to one email and send it to all of them. I'm sure many have no idea about it, so it's always good to let them know.

[email protected] Sec. of DNR

[email protected] Bureau Director/Fishieries Management

[email protected] Fisheries Team Management

[email protected] Exec Asst NRB

[email protected] Fisheries/Lake Sampling Coord.

[email protected]

fishinJohn · January 3, 2008

Hey Jim, I don't suppose there are some organizations for fishing guides? Almost every type of employment has these networking organizations... Maybe you or someone could speak at a get together pushing to boycot the C/R season? It might add to the opposition if the people who would benefit from the extra money actually reject it for the sake of better WI fishing into the future.

Jim Hudson · January 3, 2008

John,

Good idea... I know, most guides (musky guides and other guides as well) whom I spoken to are against this whole idea... I will relay your message about this to others.. But, like everything, there will be some who try to capitalize on this new season.. Sad to say, but for some, money in their pockets today, is all they are looking at..

We did, or I should say, Pete Maina did speak out against this on John Gillespie's show the other weekend, as well as writing in to WI Outdoor News.. Also, Esox Angler magazine has written against this whole debacle in their latest issue as well.

Thanks much for the suggestion..

Gator,

Thanks for listing all that for everyone..

Cooter · January 3, 2008

I don't fully understand the political/DNR system but this new law/bill whatever you want to call it does not have to pass through the DNR or some other regulating body for a vote? Is it something that will be included in the spring hearings?

Also, any idea if any certain people or groups are pushing for this or is it his own motive?

Jim Hudson · January 5, 2008

Cooter

This was a bill that was put into this years budget process by a legislator.. Basically backdoored.. There was no input from the DNR nor any public input.. So, it is totally opposite of what you would vote on at the Spring Hearings. This was through his own agenda to drum up dollars in the area..

Bad deal, in two ways.. The aspect how it was done with no public or DNR input (where this type of rule change was proposed at spring hearings before and voted against).. And that it can have detrimental affects on the spawning fish in many ways.

Cooter · January 17, 2008

From the Jan '08 issue of Muskies Inc by Tim Simonson of the WI DNR Musky Team, "The Wisconsin legislature inserted a provision in the recent budget bill directing the DNR to establish an early catch-and-release only season for muskellunge during what had been the closed season (May). This season will be restricted to artificial lures with barbless hooks. It will go into effect in 2009."

Just like that I guess. What happened to 'checks and balances'? Zero input/comments/votes eh? Total [PoorWordUsage] if you ask me.

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