If you fish muskies, this is a MUST read!

[AWH]

If you fish for muskies, this is critical that we get as many people as possible to voice their support here. Although this meeting is only about one specific body of water, if this stocking fails to go through, this could have an effect everywhere. Muskies already exist here, being native to this water. They just exist in low numbers. So if future stocking doesn’t happen here due to opposition and not enough support, how are we going to get support for stocking of other new waters in the state? Although this is in MN, this isn’t a MN only issue. This could have an effect (positively or negatively) anywhere that there’s opposition to musky stocking. So please voice your support on this matter. Whether it’s attending the meeting, sending an email or letter, or giving them a phone call. We need everyone’s support to help the future of our sport!

Here’s some more details….

News Release: DNR Fisheries requests public input on proposal for stocking muskies in Brainerd.

The MN DNR Area Fisheries Office in Brainerd is announcing a public Open House as a courtesy for anyone who would want to provide input into the proposal to stock muskies in the Miss. river in the river reach extending from above the Paper Mill Dam to Aitkin. Muskies are already present in this specified reach but are believed to be in low abundance. Public input is being solicited from the public in an effort to determine the level of support for such management. The meeting will be held at the:

**DNR Office Building located at 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday August 24th.**

There will be a 10-day comment period following the meeting when the public is welcome to send their comments by US Postal Service at the above listed address or email to the Area Fisheries Website at:

brainerd.fisheries@dnr.state.mn.us

www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/brainerd/index.html

You may call the Area Fisheries Office at 218-828-2550 if you have any questions.

***The BLC played a very instrumental part in getting this stocking proposal to go through. Without the chapters' growth and strong support this proposal would have never become a reality. It is now our turn again to show the DNR that there IS an EXTREME amount of support for the stocking efforts in our area!! Please make an effort to attend or contact the DNR to express your support for Brainerd Lakes area muskie stocking.***

And the latest…..

There has been strong opposition to the proposed stocking of muskies in the Mississippi River above the dam this fall. DNR staff have encouraged us to have a strong Chapter presence at this meeting (August 24, 6-8 p.m.) at the DNR headquarters in Brainerd. If this stocking is stopped, it is unlikely that future stocking of new waters will succeed. Please encourage fellow members/any muskie enthusiast to attend this meeting, call, email, write a letter, etc.

We can definitely make a difference here. But we need as much support as possible, no matter where you are from!

Thanks,
Aaron

[Tom B]

A strong show of support, including non Muskies, Inc members, is really important if this is going to happen.

Tom B

[MM]

Aaron,

I read your request and sent the message below to the Minnesota DNR. I truly hope you get the necessary turnout at Wednesday's meeting:

Musky Mike


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I hope you have a very strong turnout of musky fishermen at the DNR meeting in Brainerd on the 24th. Living is Wisconsin and realizing the difficulties we are having with improved stocking programs, most WI musky anglers have envied the musky fishing community in Minnesota as you seem to be far ahead of your neighbors to the east in this respect. Sure do hope your support is such that you won't start slipping backwards. So many fishermen incorrectly blame muskies for any downward trend in fishing species populations, saying "the muskies are eating all the walleyes, bluegills, etc." Those of us active in musky fishing circles know this is not true as walleyes, bluegills, etc. are such a minuscule portion of a musky's diet, Stomach content surveys have proven this to be true. Sadly, it is the very fishermen blaming muskies that are responsible for most downturns in any fish species population by keeping large quantities of their favorite species each and every time they go fishing. Wishing good luck to the Minnesota DNR and ALL Minnesota fishermen with your musky stocking program, I am.

Mike Kagel
207 Stassen St.
Algoma, WI 54201
"Titletown" Chapter 4, Muskies Inc.
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