Heard through the grapevine that a 52" Muskie was caught(and kept) today on the system? I'm not sure where they were staying but supposedly the fish was brought to Voyagaire for freezing. The muskies in this system the fish need all the protection they can get and people need to be responsible and preserve this valuable resource. Congratulations to the lucky angler but hopefully this is the first and last time this has to happen as the muskie population can't support too many more skin mounts.

WE have to remember that if its true, the angler does have the right to keep this fish and it is not against the law. I agree that CPR is great but it is not the law and we cannot single out anyone for keeping a trophy.

Congrats to the lucky angler on his or her catch. Some veiw a muskie as a fish of a lifetime. Many cant afford the equipment or time that goes into fishing muskies. I am a muskie fisherman and while I promote CPR I will never put anyone down for keeping a leagaly caught fish. You also have to realise my waters are 100% stocked waters and it is managed as a put and take fisherie even though we can and do put out 50# fish every now and again.

Thank you guys for replying. I didn't even know where to start on this one. I've been a musky fisherman for 50 years and I release every fish. But we musky fisherman have a well deserved reputation as a bunch of jerk-baits because of attitudes like this. Every time you see a picture or hear about a fish some one comes along and starts to harp about release or release technique etc. It's enough to make me want to fry up my next musky for dinner. If I feel like that, the rest of the world must be ready to gag on it!! Secondly, the musky population in Crane Lake is sporadic or incidental. There isn't a true fishable number of muskies. Taking the only one caught all year is not going to make any difference. Lastly, if it's legal, it's legal. With high size limits now, almost the entire musky population is automatically protected anyway and if someone wants to keep the fish of a lifetime and it's legal, I think it's a cause for celebration. After I calm down here I think I'll go try to find my old musky cook book!!!! Just kidding but I bet there's someone out there who won't be able to resist being self rightous about eating muskies.....

If its true, good for them! I myself have boated 2 legal Ski's in my fishing lifetime. Released both. Yes, if its legal, the law allows it to be kept. Although I will give those who fish them and release all they catch credit for doing so, I am DISGUSTED with the attitude I have recieved about the possibility of keeping one. I know how difficult they are to catch, my grandfather used to work for the WI dnr stocking them, he knew where he put them and wouldn't fish for them. So yes, I am kinda proud of having boated and released two fo them.

If someone caught and kept a 50 plus inch Ski while on vacation in VNP, CONGRATULATIONS! Awsome catch and I hope they cherish the fish of a lifetime. For those who will forever brow beat them, I say...shame on you.

Well stated Capt. Quicksteel and Esox. I have aught a fair number of Muskies and finally kept one (52"). You are right about the atitude of some Muskie fisherman. You would think I just killed and mounted their kid. While out fishing yesterday, I saw a very large Muskie (45") dead. I don't know if it was natural cause or mishandled but it happens. I wonder how many true Muskie fisherman are prepared to spend 5 to 6 hundred dollars on a skin mount on a fish that gilled or mishandled or whatever. That would be impressive to see a small, legal muskie mounted because the angler realized it would have died anyway. We have to remember that these are fish and use our best judement. Everyone has their pet peaves. It drives me nuts when I see someone fillet a 14" crappie but thats me.

Congrats to the guy who caught it. I certainly can't blaim him for wanting a skin mount. CPR has been and is great for for the sport of fishing, but a guy has the right to keep fish. That's why the laws are as they are. I got a 52 last fall and put her back, but the thought of keeping her definately crossed my mind. The honest reason why she went back is I didn't have $600 at the time to get the mount done, so I'm saving up for a replica. I think we're getting close to the point where between musky stocking and trophy size slot limits that if a guy wants to skin mount a 50, it's OK because there's probably a pair of 48's out there ready to take her place. We may already be there. There's a lot of guys who fish their whole life to catch a 50+ fish. There no way I'll hold it against him for keeping a legally caught fish of a lifetime. In my opinion the future of fishing depends on selective harvest, not total CPR.

Similar to catching a home run ball, it's easy to tell another what they should do. I do not think that I would do it, though have no qualms with what another can do legally.

Terrific catch. Maybe it just gets his kids or grandkids interested in fishing.

Maybe he devotes his life to guiding others on a similar quest.

Maybe I catch your next fish because of it...

I Love Minnesota.

-eye_point

Wade Joseph,

Being the day after the 4th, I apologize for the late notice...

My sincere appreciation for your service to this country. My Dad jumped on D-Day (and Holland), and my brother served in Viet Nam (early 60's). I can no longer tell them of my appreciation, so I am making you the next in line...

Thank you, and may God Bless America.

-eye_point

eye_point....thanks, and thank you for your families service and sacrifice.

I have a 51 on the wall, not thrilled that I did it, but it wouldnt of made sense to throw it back for turtle food, she was toast after an hour and a half on 10lb line and a loomis "light" rod... I was trolling for walleyes...all alone, without a camera.

not that I mind that you kept it, it just seems like 1.5 hours is a long fight on 10# test.
I did catch a 66# sturgeon on 8# Trilene XL in the Rainy and it took me 2.5 hrs once, but thats w/ current and easily twice the weight.
Usually the muskies I've landed were crazy out of the gates, then quickly burned out if they stay attached. The stoogeys just keep it in low-1 and pull you for a ride...