Fishing license

[BIGSHOW]

Just got a new license and seemed like something a little different. I got an all species and he asked if I plan on keeping any musky. I said why? He said you need a special tag. I asked how much and he said it was no extra cost...hmmm. I was kinda dumbfounded. I said just give it to me just in case I catch the big grand daddy. Like the guy who caught the record on 8 lb line. But I just thought it was weird you have to tag the fish but not take it in. Is this new?

[robhj]

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_63235_63983-297075--,00.html

You'll find additional information at the above link.  This tag is only for anglers who intend on harvesting a muskie.  You are not using it to actually "tag" the fish.  The MI-DNR is also using this new tag as a way to help gather additional information regarding muskies throughout the state.  This year was a significant year in regards to the changes with the muskie regulations.  In years past, anglers could harvest 1 muskie over 42" every day of the season.  The majority of muskie populations within the state are stocked fish and are not naturally occurring.  There is a renewed focus on managing muskies within the state and the updated guidelines support this.  The MI-DNR is now placing an emphasis on raising Great Lakes Spotted muskies as their main brood stock and moving away from the Northern Muskie strain that they have stocked in the past.  Changing the harvest limit to 1 per season will also help to improve the existing naturally occurring populations and will ultimately improve the overall fishery.  LSC is a great example of this-it has the highest naturally reproducing population of Great Lakes muskies in the country and is also one of the best fisheries in the state for other species including LMB & SMB.  It has been shown repeatedly that although muskies are apex predators and will gladly eat other species such as perch, bass, walleye, pike, etc., their preferred forage is "rough" fish like suckers, drum, carp, shad, etc.  The entire fishery benefits when muskie populations are healthy and managed appropriately.  Didn't mean to get on a soapbox, but I've spent several years researching muskies and have been active in the MMA (Michigan Muskie Alliance) who was pivotal in helping to get the muskie regulations changed and worked very closely with the DNR.  It would be great if the bass community could continue to garner support for changing the bass season and opening it up to more catch & immediate release. 

[djkimmel]

We are working on that (more bass fishing) at this very moment.

Thanks for another heads up on the muskie situation. Muskie, like bass, have become a mostly catch and release fishery, but we should never completely give up our option to harvest some fish as long as it is possible. I felt these latest pike and muskie regulations did a pretty good job of things.

[BIGSHOW]

Thanks for the info robhj. But where you said "You are not using it to actually "tag" the fish". That kinda went against what the bait store owner told me, so i read it. The way I interpreted it was you need to peel the tag, fold it over and zip tie it to the fish. I'm not a big time musky fisherman and don't see the use in keeping one unless it a trophy fish. Is there something I missed or did I just read your reply wrong?

[robhj]

Hey BIGSHOW, you and the bait store owner are correct.  The DNR does want fisherman to actually tag the fish that is harvested, just like it's been done with sturgeon.  Sorry for telling you something inaccurate.  Good luck in catching the next world record.  It could definitely happen in some of the naturally reproducing lakes in the northern lower peninsula.

[djkimmel]

One organization I had not previously heard of did award the muskie caught on Lake Bellaire world record status. I think I will continue to hope they don't bite me off and get pictures. Though... maybe, just in case, I should have that tag with me. They are getting bigger too just like the bass??

[fiker]

I suppose if I caught a fish that was the new record, I'd keep it.  Just so there's no mistaken the record. 

If I caught my "fish of a lifetime" that I wanted to have mounted I wouldn't.  I'd measure it and take lots of quality pictures and release it.  Then I'd have a reproduction mount done.

I'm a big proponent of reproductions. 
You get your mount.
It lasts forever.
The fish goes free to be caught another day.
The population benefits by trophy size DNA in the gene pool.

Seems like a win, win, win, win to me.

[djkimmel]

I agree. I don't have any fish mounts. I like pictures. If I was specifically trying to catch a state or world record muskie, I would try to figure out a way to keep it alive and prepare before I tried to catch. Incidental, well, if that ever where to happen I'd do what I can to get it weighed and released. Not easy with a big muskie.

[Got Fish??]

Reproductions are a little more $$$, but the fish go's free  and I think that's cool. 

[BIGSHOW]

Speaking of records. Not that this is a record that I know of, but does anyone know where about that 8.91 lb. smallmouth was caught on lake Erie??? Maybe State? City?? GPS coordinate??? . I happened to see it somewhere on the internet. You know everything has to be true on the internet..

[djkimmel]

I think it was weighed in in a tournament and there is at least 1 story written about how and about where it was caught. Been awhile since I read it.

[bigmojet]

I'm a French model.

Bonjour!!

[Waterfoul]

I'm a French model.

Bonjour!!

I read it on the internet, so it must be true!

[BIGSHOW]

lol..