Long Range Muskie and Pike plan meeting

[Muskiefool]

I want to let you guys know that the Southern MN Dark House Angling Assn and Southern Crossroads Muskies Inc Chapter 54 are going to hold a public meeting on the plan with representatives from the MN DNR to answer questions, I know there has been some discussion and letters to the editor in the outdoor news in regards to Muskies and Large Pike Plan that may not have all the facts or have some questions they need to address, I hope all those that are not sure about what the plan is about or how it was created to join us.

The meeting will be at Bullheads in Waterville on Thursday May 8th at 7:00 P.M., as far as I know this is the only such meeting to be held in So. MN.

Thank You to the MDHAA for helping us with this gathering, I really appreciate it.

[lucy1205]

ill be there but the hopes for big pike are bleek. theres many things that need to be done esp catch and release.

[cjac]

Thanks for going!

Muskiefool,

What can those of us not able to attend do, who could we contact?

Thanks to you too!

[lucy1205]

cpr big pike. like any thing over 5 pounds.

[Muskiefool]

If you have any thoughts or concerns that you would like addressed maybe we can get a list of questions with your names and city and I can give them to the DNR or I can back to you via e-mail at [email protected] , this should be a great opportunity for both organizations to get together and for those that don't belong to either group to get an opportunity talk.

If you cant attend just shoot me a e-mail at that addy

[Muskiefool]

Official Release

The Southern Chapter of the Minnesota Darkhouse and Angling Association and the Southern Crossroads Chapter of Muskies Inc. are hosting a joint forum of their membership and the public to discuss the draft long range plan for muskellunge and northern pike. The purpose of the plan is to guide fisheries management of muskellunge and northern pike in Minnesota for the next 12 years. The management goals are to improve opportunities for trophy muskellunge and large northern pike, while also providing opportunities to harvest northern pike.

We've invited Minnesota DNR's Fisheries Program Consultant Roy Johannes and Fisheries Operations Support Supervisor Jason Moeckel to give an overview of the plan and answer questions from the audience. This is a chance for people to share their views and perspectives as the Department works to finalize the long range plan.

May 8th at Bullheads Bar and Grill 256 Main St W Waterville, MN 56096

(507) 362-4881 at 7:00 pm,

Please attend if you are able

Thank You

John

[Scott M]

Have the invitations been accepted? What is the expected attendance?

[Muskiefool]

Jason and Roy will be there, as for attendance I'm not sure I hope everyone that cares about Muskie and Pike that can attend will do so if they can.

Hope to see a crowd

John

[Muskiefool]

ttt

[Scott M]

Can someone give a recap?

[Muskiefool]

I'll put something together soon I just got my computer fixed (I hate these things) but it was pretty good and it was nice to meet a few new Muskie anglers Thank You for coming out guys

[Muskiefool]

Sorry for the delay so here it goes, we started the meeting about 7:00, I stated why I wanted the meeting and the need for us to have a relationship with the other groups in the area; I then turned the it over to a spokesman from the dark house assn who stated that they did not support the plan and neither did Northerns Inc or Sportsmen for responsible muskie management.

Then the DNR took over with a power point overview of the plan, of the 40-50 that attended only about 6-8 had seen the plan, they answered some questions along the way one gentleman asked when they would implement the plan due to the fact we need more lakes down here in So.MN, but they gave no time for such action only stating that the plan would go into place this summer sometime.

There was questions and concerns about weed control and over harvest and some discussion on slot limits and how they effect spearing and summer angling on stunted pike lakes, the stated the purpose of having them in place.

There was comments from a Dark house representative stating that they supported stocking Tetonka due to the fact there is a very small number in the lake at this time, but also said Muskies are like Black Bear if we want them go up north to get them, making reference that they are non native; so I was left confused to some extent from that contradiction.

During this time things got somewhat heated but maintained dignity overall.

We discussed some issues that both groups could agree upon, like Pike conservation and clean water, so we have the doors peeked open to each other.

After the meeting we did allot of talking about Muskies, Pike fishing and relationships with the DNR, it was great to meet some new people and I cant thank them enough for taking time out to come over, one guy drove as far as I did and with the cost of Gas and the value of time in our lives I can safely say everyone that was their cares about the fish and the future of their respective activity.

I think that if we want another fishing opportunity its going to take allot more work and allot of commitment, I would suspect their will be a few of people fighting this effort.

The people that will fight the stocking are going to be asking for more research and more studies, they will want the lake vivisected and eviscerated in ways that are all but impossible and when given the information to answer their questions they will say they need more or want to hold off till we get to heaven, my point is if any of you want a Muskie lake you better be prepared to donate a few minutes of your time to write letters and to show up at a public meeting, I'm not going to tell you what to do or say but I'll be fighting along side you every step of the way on every lake and at every meeting across the state, so that the people that need the new lakes and those that want to open up their ears and minds to the truth about Muskies will be afforded those possibility's and the facts.

Thank You

John

[Scott M]

Thanks for the report John. There is a pretty active Darkhouse Association chapter in town there so I thought the Muskie guys might have been outnumbered. I hope a compromise can be made, coming from someone who enjoys both muskie fishing and darkhouse spearing.

Thank you to those that took the time to attend and make their voices heard and good luck.