Musky Slaughter in Maine

[slushpuppy]

I'm from that neck of the woods (this is the first I've heard of these tournaments). I know how hard it is these days to catch a good sized trout or salmon in those waters. Along with extensive fishing in the "old days", industrial and agricultural pollution and power dams that prevent native salmon from travelling up/down rivers, an introduced large predatory fish only adds to the equation. What is a slaughter to some people is an attempt to return a native species to its former glory. The Maritimes don't have the variety and abundance of native sportfish that Upper Canada has, I'm not going to condemn them for trying to keep their valuable resource going.

[Lookinforlunkers]

Points all well taken but man they are MUSKIES not carp or crappies

[ganman]

Perhaps in that area muskies are considered the way we think of crappie or carp. Obviously muskies in Maine seem to be doing perfectly well. I think it's a shame they ended up there.

In the west the same thing occurs with brook and lake trout pushing out native Cuthroat trout. A century or so ago carp became established here. If we had the chance today to do something about it I think we would and should.

[steve-hamilton]

reminds me of the Lake Erie/Nanticoke/Long Point Bay Smallie fishery.

just as many fish being kept.

[BBRich]

reminds me of the Lake Erie/Nanticoke/Long Point Bay Smallie fishery.

just as many fish being kept.

Part of the reason I choose to stay in the Kawarthas.

[steve-hamilton]

dont blame ya!

[wolfe]

Always good to consider both side of the fence and to hear different views and opinions. But I'm still giving it a thumbs down.

W.

[trexellunge]

Yes, it's good to hear both sides. I've fished in Maine plenty of times, and consider this: The smallmouth bass fishery there saves their summer fishing; trout and salmon during this time are hard to come by to say the least, unless you're very talented with a down rigger. During the dog days of summer, tourism in the “Downeast” area is supported by surface smashing smallmouths, and the lodge owners thank God that the fish is present. Guess what?..Smallmouths are an exotic invader to the area.....Maine also panicked about the “smallmouth invasion” years ago, and they tried to eradicate them too, but now they love them. So what are some of the species that Maine is trying to protect from the invading, killer muskellunge?? Let's see, the Brown Trout (exotic invader) and the Rainbow Trout (exotic invader) should be near the top of the list....If you want to include the Landlocked Salmon as a “native species”...OK....but they are NOT NATIVE to the St. John River system where the muskies are located. The Landlocked Salmon's native range is actually confined to merely a couple of lakes found in a different part of the state. The fish was INTRODUCED elsewhere, so it can also be considered a non-native species in most Maine waters. Let's see, we need to protect our exotic species from other "more recent" non-native species?? Sounds really intelligent to me... It most likely boils down to locally "accepted" fishing traditions and money (ie. trout stocking programs). Someone mentioned that muskies are doing quite well in Maine?? Hogwash...they exist in about 1% of the waterways, and are in no position to “take over” the waters of Maine. They are clinging to existence in the state, while they hold stupid kill derbies in an effort snuff them out completely. Regardless, the St. John River system is located in the extreme Northwest corner of the state, and it is not connected to the famous inland trout waters which Maine is ignorantly trying to protect (the river system eventually runs into the province of New Brunswick). There was also a similar situation in Maine years ago with Northern Pike being introduced into the Belgrade Lakes Chain. It's the only area of Maine that currently supports pike (not a very diverse fishery at all), and now the lakes attract anglers far and wide in search of 20lb + pike. These "invading" pike were actually stocked illegally, unlike the invading muskies, which were stocked legitimately by the government in the late 1960's. If we look more closely at ourselves, consider the Great Lakes. How about the popular Chinook Salmon, and all other salmon species in the Great Lakes besides Landlocks? Should we eradicate them too? How about the beloved Rainbows and Browns?..Kill off the invaders!!! They might eat all the White Perch!..oh yeah, they're an invader too..... Maybe someday Maine will also thank God that it has some kind of musky fishery...once the lunge tourism money starts flowing in during the slow, hot summer........if they don't turn them all into fish n chips first.

[ganman]

The facts are they didn't break any law eating muskies. Whether they want them there or not is something for the folks in Maine to decide.

[trexellunge]

Hi Ganman, good to hear from you again. I bet you're still tearing up Gananoque and Charleston Lakes pretty good..leave some for the rest of us, OK?! You wrote: "The facts are they didn't break any law eating muskies. Whether they want them there or not is something for the folks in Maine to decide."....I agree with you that the people of Maine did not break any laws in keeping all those muskies, but it MAY be up to people like us to enlighten them a bit about the normal standards of musky fishing. After all, it is quite new to them. Please find below copied positive posts from the same topic material from muskyhunter.com's message board, which is the premier musky magazine in the world (sorry for the long length, but this topic is dear to my heart).

Canudude
Member since 1-21-06
68 posts
02-11-06, 02:20 PM (CST)
 
"Muskie Harvest Derby"
 
Catch-and-kill musky fishing at its worst. I was pursuing the Muskiefix message board last night and hit this topic/link: The annual Fort Kent International Muskie Fishing Derby, Fort Kent Maine. Warning: The images you are about to see are graphic and disturbing, and may prompt you to extreme anger. This annual, all harvest event is a throw back to the bad ol' days. Check it out - you won't believe it! The ridiculous thing is how the event is touted on the opening Welcome page of the site: "We want to create an event of international recognition attracting people from everywhere...the fabulous freshwater sport of muskie fishing". Apparently these people exist in a bubble and have no clue how the rest of the muskie world thinks. I don't suppose I should give a hoot what goes on in Maine, but this reflects poorly on our sport as a whole, and propagates some very backwards attitudes. I suggest that everyone on this board make contact through e-mail, a letter, or phone calls, and show the Fort Kent International Muskie Fishing Derby Incorporated board a little "recognition". Let 'em know what you think, and set these bozos strait on where muskie fishing is at in the 21st century!
Here's the site address: Brace yourself!
http://www.fortkent-muskie.com

GB Musky Stalker
Member since 5-29-03
35 posts
02-11-06, 03:09 PM (CST)
 
 I would suggest sending them and the town an email expressing your opinions and views on this kind of kill tournament.
The derby email is fortkentmuskie@aol.com
this derby is on the towns website so i suggest emailing the town as well to express your opinions. The town managers email is donald.guimond@fortkent.org
gb

MadisonMskyMan
Member since 1-16-06
25 posts
02-11-06, 08:54 PM (CST)
 
 If anyone writes them an e-mail remember that telling them how ******* stupid they are it will do nothing. But if you try to educate them and turn them on to a site such as this. Show them that there are people who love these fish and care about the future of these fish. Will do far more to benefit what we all want. The conservation of these fish. That is what we are trying to protect. So I urge everyone to be very diplomatic and try to educate not ridicule.

Bob Benson
Member since 1-21-06
17 posts
02-11-06, 08:57 PM (CST)
 
Suggesting that some serious Musky folks may even attend if they have a release division may be a good start.

Ben Kueng
Member since 1-23-06
16 posts
02-11-06, 09:06 PM (CST)
 
No wonder why their state record is only 25 lbs.

MuskyMidget
Member since 3-31-03
317 posts
02-11-06, 09:34 PM (CST)
 
"RE: Muskie Harvest Derby"

There was a post about this event on one of these sites a while back.
It honestly pains me to see those pictures, but sending nasty emails to these people aren't going to help.
Right now, I am going to send them an email telling them the benefits of catch and release.
It may take time, but they will learn.

MuskyMidget
Member since 3-31-03
317 posts
02-11-06, 09:55 PM (CST)
 
Here is a copy of the email I sent to them ...
First off, let me commend you for hosting a musky tournament. Muskies are my passion. And I love musky tournaments.
I have fished the PMTT (Professional Musky Tournament Trail) for the last 4 years. I see from your home page on the website that you have some absolutely beautiful water to fish. I wanted to suggest looking into a catch and release tournament in the future. There are thousands of passionate musky fishermen like myself that pride ourselves on catch and release. These awesome fish take many years to grow to trophy sizes and it's critical to the future of musky fishing to release them to for someone else to catch again and again and again ... You get the idea. It's much like bass fishing. Anyways, just thought I'd throw that suggestion out. I've never been to Maine. From the pictures I have seen, I have always wanted to come to Maine in the winter, it looks so beautiful. By looking at the musky waters you have to fish, and the potential for some really nice fish, musky fishing may just bring me to Maine in the summer.
Please consider catch and release in future tournaments. The musky resource depends on it.
Thanks - Matt Beulke
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Note: Attached please find a few photos of fish that I have released to live another day ... In fact; I have attached my favorite musky picture. It is a release picture of my personal best (47.5 inches). To be honest, releasing that fish and watching it swim away was a bigger thrill than actually catching it to begin with.)

Canudude
Member since 1-21-06
68 posts
02-11-06, 10:09 PM (CST)
 
LAST EDITED ON 02-11-06 AT 10:24 PM (CST)
 
Hey all!
Some good suggestions on approaching this issue with tact. Upon first viewing the website, my first reaction was to get REALLY NASTY! Can't say I didn't relish the idea of tearing them a "new one". Perhaps it will punctuate our point if some of you DO let a little emotion flow. But, when it comes to changing hearts and minds, education and a soft approach is probably a better course. I like the idea of directing these people to this site and other areas, where they will see how it's done by REAL musky hunters and get a sense of the prevailing,conservation-minded ethic of this sport. Will it do any good? Not likely, at least not right away. Adopting our ethic would basically mean cancellation of this event. Or at least radically altering it's current form (Why not a display of digital pictures at the end of the day, and serve hamburgers with Ma's potato salad instead of fried muskies?) But, we plant a seed. And if we can enlighten some of these folks, they might recognize the irony of promoting this slaughter as an "international event" in celebration of the "fabulous freshwater sport of muskie fishing". Keep those letters and e-mails coming!

GB Musky Stalker
Member since 5-29-03
35 posts
02-12-06, 03:35 PM (CST)
 
"RE: Muskie Harvest Derby"

I'm a little confused with some of the informations and views on their front page. These are some quotes from their front page that don't make sense.
1. " Muskie Fishing is considered one of the greatest fresh water sport fish challenges in all of North America." - seems like their trying to promote the fishery but have neglected to teach how preserve or conserve it.
2. "This beautiful natural environment has proven to be an unlimited resource for this sport-fishing event with many other species coexisting within the same habitat." - Not sure how unlimited this fishery is but it wont be for long if they insist on NOT practicing or teaching the benefits of catch and release. It also seems like they believe musky and trout can co-exist so I can't see where they have an issue with musky eating their resident trout and Salmon..
3. "We want to create an event of international recognition attracting people from everywhere introducing them to our hospitality and to the fabulous freshwater sport of Muskie Fishing." - By saying fabulous sport of musky fishing sounds like the are in favor of musky in their waters and I think they're creating international recognition but in a very negative way. I don't think they realize in the musky community out side of Maine this kind of derby is viewed as a bad thing..
I did send them an email expressing my concerns and offered to help with information and ideas on proper handling, release techniques and ways to run their derby with a catch and release concept.. I think this is a better way to approach this subject then to be rude or insulting. I have already heard back from a member of their township who is passing on my email to a member of the derby community and I've invited them to view discussions here at Musky Hunter and a few other sites where this derby is also causing a stir..
I truly hope they do have someone respond here to explain their views and reasons for a catch and keep tourny or so that we can help them understand our views and help them find a better way to run their tournament.
gb
www.ontariomusky.com

...............OK, I'm finally back. Again I apologize for the long length of this post, but I hope at least it may be entertaining for some, and might provide the spark to send more letters to the good people of Maine (productive e-mails of course, no garbage talk). One of the guys on muskyhunter is now claiming that there has ALREADY been some positive responses from Maine. They are willing to listen, I guess in exchange for Muskyhunter Magazine support. After all, Maine wishes to make their musky derby an international event. I'll keep you posted. -John-

[slushpuppy]

yep, all those easterners are just a bunch of uneducated trailer park yahoos that don't know any better. Upper Canada needs to teach them a lesson. Let's just go back to killing all the cormorants in our own backyard.

[XrapAttack]

should of brought a steak for dinner...

[wolfe]

Again I apologize for the long length of this post, but I hope at least it may be entertaining for some, and might provide the spark to send more letters to the good people of Maine (productive e-mails of course, no garbage talk).

Guess I should rephrase my "dark ages eejit" comment....

True, though, trexellunge, that an emotional, insulting communication is not likely to cause any positive result.

Thanks for the detailed info. I'll watch my P's & Q's when I send along a letter.

W.

[Lunker Larry]

Just remember...don't get preachy! Some of the rants that over passionate fishermen get rolling on does more harm than good for their reputation and the cause they're trying to support.
What's good for our fishery may not be good for theirs.
The folks in Maine mean well and this may all be new to them. Give them the opportunity to review their position and the opportunites the fishery may hold and they will come around. These are not stupid people.

[scttsmpsn]

CCB and Ganman; I agree. I see people are taking there love of Muskies to heart. The muskies in question are introduced and are essentially killing the trout and salmon thus they are promoted to be fished. It is the same thing as in the Kawarthas with crappie. You may think it is different because you love muskie. To a crappie fisherman they may see it as being the same. It would be ideal to move the muskie to a muskie waters but at what cost.

Look at it from a non-partial standpoint and you will see they are doing the right thing as long as it is legal and ethical. What if they kill all the salmon; is that ok?

Scott