Catch and Release

Hi,
Here in Holland people think that american and canadian people kill most of the fish the caught. I,ve bin a couple of times in Canada fishing. And what did i see? That the good fisherman released his big fish after taking a picture. So, i wonder what you people do when you caught a big musky or pike. Kill it or release it? Personal i like to release it so you can catch it again. Here in Holland whe hate the german fisherman because they kill every fish they catch and they stole our grandpa,s bikes in woII haha.

Michel.

[Musk Rat]

If you think Americans + Canadians kill most of their fish you`ve been spending too much time in your tea shops he he. I would say about 99% of muskies caught by muskie fisherman are released in the US and CA. Club records from MI and MC support this. P.S. hows the fishing in Holland?

A sad tale indeed my son; I suggest using uni-cycles, if they are stolen, you only lose 1/2 a bike! The wheels of justice turn slowly young fisher person, yet there is hope! Try setting up a Bicycle Amnesty Program, and exchange tulip bulbs for information as to the whereabouts of those responsible.....

Here in the U.S. and in Canada also, most musky/pike fishermen practice catch/photo/and release of their fish. Our biggest problems occur when anglers targeting other species catch a musky or pike, oftentimes being the largest fish they have ever caught, and they keep it. For this reason ardent musky/pike fishermen and affilitated fishing clubs are attempting to establish increased size regulations (on many lakes establishing a 50 inch minimum) so most muskies/pike are released regardless of who catches them. It is hoped that the long term affect of such measures will result with more and larger game fish. It they are removed from the population at 34", 36", 40", or even 49" they certainly can't attain 50 inches and beyond.

Good luck to you and your fishing there in Holland.

Michel,

Somehow I don't think that your Grandpa would approve of the unnecessary killing of fish. And I don't think that all of the young fishermen who reside at Bergen-op-Zoom or Groesbeek in Nijmegen would like it either.

Become pro-active with your government to ensure that fishing stocks are there for generations to come.

Really great to hear from Holland.

Pretty neat! Jack Pike is from Great Britain, and Divani is from Belgium. Cool to see others from different places stop by. Never been to Holland, but when in the British Isles everyone asked a lot of questions about us!

The fishing for pike goes great at the moment. It,s cold at the moment and than their easier to catch.
I fish a lot with lures because live bait is forbidden here in Holland. For me it doesn,t realy matter because i like it when a pike hits on your lure, it,s always totaly a suprise.
I see on the forum that there are quit a lot of people fishing on georgian bay for muskie, where do these people fish? My sister lives in Wasaga Beach and that is straight on georgian bay.


Michel

You people should come also on our dutch forums. Whe can learn from eachother. That,s the best thing from internet.

Michel

[Muskie Treats]

Welcome to MC and the US/Canada boards. To answer your question, I think that the vast majority of muskies and bass are released and most pike are also released. Walleye, sunfish, crappie and other table fish are not so lucky. Funny, because I think a 30" pike tastes better then any of the above and are plentiful to the point of overpopulated in many northern waters in Minnesota and Wisconsin. If you get the chance, come and fish the US, if you like catching pike on lures, you'll do a backflip when a 45" muskie slams you at boatside coming from under your feet.

Good fishing

You are lucky Mr Dutchman the Germans bomb my Dads Chippy