Now we know

[Muskiefool]

Minnesota Muskies

[MUSKY18]

Yes!!!

Many already knew this, however, now it is time for the "Anti's" to understand!!!!

[muskydeceiver]

This is a great piece of literature. Hopefully this is a tool that can be used when trying to get new lakes stocked. Unfortunately there are still going to be the people that will not change their minds no matter how concrete the scientific evidence is in front of them.

They're eatin' rrr fiiiiish (hopefully that brings a smile to at least one South Park fan's face!)

[50inchpig]

They took-er jebs! Probably my favorite episode ever.

Nice write up, great info to have out, maybe even keep a few copies in the boat!

[mainbutter]

ThEY took rrrrr jeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrbs!!! My friends and I, back in high school when that episode came out, would yell that to each other between classes. It was hilarious when we did it out in public(movie theater lines are a prime example) and strangers joined in.. lol

Great write up, though I disagree with the statement that any fish species can benefit from catch and release of the large specimens.

If you're fishing for salmon during their spawning run, anything you hook and land is as good as dead and won't spawn, there are strict rules that basically say that catch-and-release is a no-no up in Alaska, although you do have to release foul-hooked fish. The salmon are running low on energy reserves by the point they make up the streams, and all it takes is 120 seconds of tough fighting against a fisherman to make them just about useless for reproduction.

I'm sure there are other species as well that you shouldn't C&R for and assume the fish will survive.

Luckily as we all know, plenty of single specimens of freshwater fish(trophy largemouth bass and musky particularly come to mind) have been known to be caught dozens of times by anglers.

[dcmusky]

First time I've seen the final. NICE!

[b1gf1sh1]

the funny part to me ... why is this even an issue? i mean really? if there ever was a.. DUH!... this is it. of course "the article was produced by an orginization that may be pre-disposed to omit negative" .... the antis' next line? a lot of work just to get some people to see daylight, outside, at high noon on a sunny day in an open field with no chance of a solar eclipse, with eyes open and no sunglasses on, huh? sheesh.

[Muskiefool]

The main thing with this is to help educate those that have never even seen a Muskie but have questions about things they may have heard or seen for the last 100 years, lol; and to reach those that may have an open mind and want to find out more.

More good stuff is coming I think, I know one fella is working on the next level of info as we speak; that is going to open up allot of minds for the next 50 years.

We'll share with you as soon as possible.

"They took our jerbs"

[b1gf1sh1]

Quote:

The main thing with this is to help educate those that have never even seen a Muskie but have questions about things they may have heard or seen for the last 100 years, lol; and to reach those that may have an open mind and want to find out more.

thanks for that. i can be guilty of forgetting theres a tails side to a coin too. like not everybody breaths fishing...

[Muskiefool]

Trust me Don I forget about those people as well, till I get a call from one asking how many children get devoured every year and what happened to my Tea Cup Poodle? my response is Zero and were you using a circle hook or quick strike LOL.

[blackdog1101]

Quote:

Muskies – Who Needs Them?

Several generations of anglers have subjected Northern Pike to over-harvest. This coupled with the loss of spawning habitat and water pollution has, in many cases, created “Hammer Handle” lakes. When all the big predator fish are gone, the rough and stunted fish can take over and can damage the fishery. Muskies introduced into these damaged lakes will take the place of that former top predator by naturally helping to control rough fish as well as stunted fish.

Why not take steps to restore native northerns to these lakes by fixing the problems?

[Muskiefool]

I agree 100% and I'm personally in favor of restoring damaged Pike lakes through special regulations, its proven effective, unfortunately many don't believe in Pike regs, in many lakes Muskies are the only top predator.

Better yet are lakes with both but they are pretty rare.

Large Pike and Muskies serve the same function when it comes to dealing with bottle necks in rough fish and stunted fish and at this time Muskies are the only fish effectively protected to address that issue.

Not to say Pike dont have a place on out table, I love pike as do many we just need to let the big fish go.

[cbrooks]

That just gives me another reason to let the big ones go. Catch and release is always a option. It's not like hunting were you kill you own it.

[Muskiefool]

Your right about when the fish are on the run but that event is a short window at the end of the 2-7 year life (depending on species) of that fish.

Otherwise they are being caught under differnt circumstances and do benifit from C&R I found this interesting on Salmon C&R.

Survival Chances of Released Salmon

* Research has shown that the survival rate of salmon caught and released can he close to 100% when the above guidelines are followed

* Survival rate is greater at water temperatures below 20 C.

* Very good survival to spawning of released rod-caught spring Salmon, which have subsequently spent up to nine months in the river before spawning, has been recorded in Scotland

* Spawning sucess and viability of eggs are unaffected in salmon caught and released in late autumn

Spring Salmon

Stocks of spring salmon are at an all time low across their North Atlantic range. conservation is more important now than ever. Catch and Release can ensure that more salmon survive to spawn.

additionally:

Proper catch and release techniques are extremely important and relevant to Atlantic Salmon fisherpersons here in Atlantic Canada as a result of regulatory requirements. All salmon over 24.6 inches must be released and a great deal of study and education has been dedicated to proper techniques. Despite these efforts however there is still room for improvement by our local anglers based on my obsevations.

Studies have shown that mortality rates of less than 5% can be achieved by using proper techniques. One of the most important issues is exposure to air. A recent catch and release study by a local fisheries biologist suggests that air exposed fish experienced devastating additional stress levels causing significantly higher mortality.