Gov. Dayton signs 54-inch muskie minimum bill

[h2ofwlr]

May 25, 2014
By Melissa Turtinen, BMTN

Gov. Mark Dayton signed an omnibus game and fish bill that raises the minimum size for muskies, effectively making Minnesota a catch-and-release state for muskie fishing.

The measure, which goes into effect in 2015, makes Minnesota one of the most protective states for the fish. The law says that the minimum size for pure-strain muskellunge in inland waters is 54 inches long, in most cases. Anything smaller must be released.

Currently, the minimum size for a muskie is 48 inches long.

“It’s such a rare fish – less than 5 percent of the population of muskies, which are rare to begin with – that they just can’t take much harvest,” Shawn Kellett, vice president of the Twin Cities Chapter of Muskies Inc., told the Pioneer Press.

Muskies Inc. and the Minnesota Pike and Muskie Alliance pushed for the change to protect Minnesota’s trophy muskie fishing supply.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources notes that trophy muskies are old muskies and the best way to create trophy muskie fishing is catch-and-release angling. However, the DNR is neutral on raising the minimum size limit for muskies, saying it’s a social issue and the sustainability of muskies as a breeding population and trophy sport fish isn’t an issue, the Pioneer Press reported back in March.

Groups opposed to higher size limits say they could have an adverse effect on area lakes and fishing.

[triplecurler]

Not a musky fisherman,but fish a lot for northerns. I'd never considering keeping one unless it was going on the wall. I am sick of all these protections to make MN a trophy state.

What ramifications will this new law create? Will the other fish decline as we have more large fish?

[gimpfinger]

What ramifications will this new law create? Will the other fish decline as we have more large fish?

As a rule muskie densities are not high enough to have any real impact.

Yankee by the grace of god

[triplecurler]

Is the plan to increase the number of trophy musky or the number of musky?

[get-n-birdy]

Why would you ever keep a musky in the first place and what really is a 54" regulation going to do?

Why not just make it catch and release, then open it all year?

There's just no sense to have a season on a fish that is basically catch and release.

[triplecurler]

My musky is bigger then your musky....

[gimpfinger]

Is the plan to increase the number of trophy musky or the number of musky?

Trophy = tourism money. Nobody needs to come to mn for walleye anymore.

Yankee by the grace of god

[Nershi]

I am very happy to see this passed. I contacted my congresspeople to express my support for this bill. A lot more fish will get the opportunity to reach their maximum growth potential.

[tyler]

Why would you ever keep a musky in the first place and what really is a 54" regulation going to do?

it'll prevent some the Iowa/Nebraska crowd from keeping a <53" for their bbq's and picnics

[gimpfinger]

Why would you ever keep a musky in the first place and what really is a 54" regulation going to do?

it'll prevent some the Iowa/Nebraska crowd from keeping a <53" for their bbq's and picnics

Exactly the reason they put a size and amount limit on flatheads.

your mom...