Working to Preserve, Promote and Advance Muskie and Pike Education and Research in Minnesota. December 1, 2014 Eightieth Edition From John Underhill, MMPA Co-chair The MN 2014 Muskie season is over but I hope it was a memorable one for you and your family. It was a very big year for Muskies and those of us who love to pursue and preserve them, with a 54-inch size limit coming for 2015 and discussions with the DNR about the future of Muskies and Pike being positive for anglers; we have much to look forward to. There is a problem in South Dakota; a group of sportsmen have petitioned the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to change the rules for spearing Game Fish to allow all species including Muskies. Please take time to send them your thoughts on protecting Muskies gfpadminrules@state.sd.us The Hugh Becker Foundation recently awarded South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks $5,500.00 to upgrade equipment for their Muskie program. They state that there is no biological reason not to allow this even though it s been researched to death and proven with the fish swimming in the water from Canada to MN and WI that protecting Muskies is the most valuable tool in the shed. Dead Muskies don t give you the thrill of your life, as Jack Burns once said. They see it as a way to get a quick buck at the expense of the fishery, it s easier to exploit it than to foster it and grow it into something lasting. We also have issues with Metro lakes under the threat of being shut down and unreasonably restricted, all are attempts to stop anglers from accessing the water while those who live there have unlimited access. The MNDNR has begun a new vetting process for the fisheries workshops with an application and term limits. This has some good elements but will potentially leave them with empty rooms in 3 years. When we attended the first one back in 2006 it had several purposes: create more Muskie fisheries, figure out what the problem with Pike was and if it could be fixed, and preserve all forms of fishing and harpooning. It got all of us
together, many of us opposing each other in the beginning and we may still not agree on everything but we respect each other. Some will never respect anything even themselves as we ve seen as recently as this past legislative session. If we do not find a way to respect and understand each other angling of all forms will be under constant threat. It s important that we stay on top of these and other issues as they arise. We have many resources in the state that require our observation and attention. We didn't make this; the Creator left it to us in trust. We ve got to make man the great restorer rather than the great predator Gil Hamm 1967 (Founder and first President Muskies Inc. 1966) (First President 1956-74 and founder; Clear Water-Clear Air Unlimited founded 1956) Sincerely, John Underhill, Co-Chair Minnesota Muskie & Pike Alliance FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, November 14, 2014 CONTACT: Emily Kiel at Emily.Kiel@state.sd.us GFP Commission Proposal on Statewide Spearing of Game Fish PIERRE, S.D. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission is proposing to open up game fish spearing statewide. The proposal was made as a result of an outside petition received from spearfishermen. The Commission will consider adoption of the proposal at their Dec. 11-12 meeting in Fort Pierre. The Commission proposed the following rule amendments for game fish spearing for 2015: Allow spearing and bowfishing of all game fish species (except paddlefish and sturgeon) in all inland waters. Establish a year-round game fish spearing and bowfishing season. Make game fish spearing and bowfishing regulations on boundary waters match those of adjoining states. No inland waters are exempt from the current Commission proposal, meaning spearing and bowfishing for all species (except paddlefish and sturgeon) could occur in all inland waters including urban fisheries, small impoundments, trout streams and large lakes and reservoirs, stated John Lott, GFP administrative chief for fisheries. Harvest of game fish by spearers and bowfishers is not a biological issue. It is a social issue.
Currently, the following regulations pertain to game fish spearing on inland waters: Game fish spearing and bowfishing season is open from June 15 to March 15, inclusive. Waters open to the spearing and bowfishing of game fish (except sturgeon and paddlefish) during the established spearing season in 2014 included: o Lake Oahe; o Portions of Lakes Sharpe and Francis Case; o Angostura and Belle Fourche reservoirs. Spearing and bowfishing of northern pike was open in all inland lakes in 2014, except those managed for muskies, during the June 15 March 15 game fish spearing season. As of last week, the Commission finalized that for 2015, the spearing and bowfishing of northern pike and catfish in all inland lakes (except those managed for muskies and areas of the Missouri River system closed to game fish spearing) and the Grand River immediately below Shadehill Reservoir, is allowed year-round. The Commission also added Shadehill reservoir to the list of waters open during the June 15 March 15 game fish spearing season. By proposing a statewide, year-round season for spearing and bowfishing of game fish, the Commission has provided the public an opportunity to comment on how much spearing and bowfishing opportunity for game fish there should be, concluded Lott. The GFP Commission will act on this proposal Dec. 11-12 at the Fort Pierre Holiday Inn Express in Fort Pierre. Written comments on this proposal can be sent to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D. 57501, or emailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us or gfpadminrules@state.sd.us. To be included in the public record, comments must be received by 12 p.m. CST on Dec. 11 and include a full name and city of residence. A public hearing before the Commission will be held for those who want to publically comment at 2 p.m. CST at the Fort Pierre Holiday Inn Express on Dec. 11. -GFP- From Steve Wernersbach (MMPA PAC) MN Muskie and Pike Alliance Legislative Fund Events at the legislature every year have shown the need for a strong lobbying effort. This year has also identified several legislators willing to get involved and initiate actions that support the musky fishery. And the MMPA Political Action Committee Legislative Fund will be used to do exactly that at the end of this year s session. Thanks to all of you who have contributed to allow this to happen. For those of you that haven t yet contributed, but would like to support this critical effort the form attached is your means to do so. This money can only be used to contribute to our selected legislator s re-election funds. The MMPA is not allowed to use any general funds for this purpose. If we are to successfully secure the legislative actions needed to promote and advance the musky fishery in Minnesota it is imperative we maintain strong connections with these collaborative legislators. These PAC fund contributions are our best method for doing this.
The fund can accept a maximum contribution of $20 from any single individual per calendar year. Strong legislative support is more important now than ever. The legislature is extremely influential in determining where the DNR spends its fisheries dollars and in setting fishing regulations. Please consider making this all important contribution. Thanks. Steve Wernersbach Treasurer, MMPA PAC
ANNOUNCEMENT Hugh C. Becker 2015 Foundation Awards Initial Requisition Criteria for disbursing funds, subject to future amendments. All requests are to be received between 1 November 2014 and by 31 January 2015. Address (do not e-mail) all requests to Hugh C. Becker Committee of Twin Cities Chapter of Muskies, Inc., c/o George Selcke, 13004 Shady Dale Road, Minnetonka, MN 55343-4904. Format: Requests are not to be more than five (5) legibly typed pages, ORIGINAL and FIVE (5) copies, to include all the following criteria: 1) Name and address of the group, and a history of the group s accomplished projects to date, if applicable. 2) Demonstrate need- how will this project benefit the Muskellunge program(s) in area, region, or range (Canada included) 3) What is the project and what is purpose of project? 4) Where is this project taking place? 5) What is the duration of this project/start and finish dates? 6) What are the cost breakouts? Itemize equipment and labor, and provide quotes. 7) Who will be involved: the project team, project manager/coordinator, and applicable means of contact (phone numbers) 8) Submit milestones dates for progress reports and accountability. 9) Can the requesting group match funds from another source? Please list. Other Considerations: -Cap on any individual grant/fund will be $10,000; incrementally within year or over the course of years, unless the Grant Committee decides otherwise on any specific proposal -Credit to the Hugh C. Becker Trust Foundation will be incurred in funding -The Hugh C. Becker has priority rights to all press releases and publications -If this project fails to reach its purpose, through false reporting, deceit, and/or other unprofessional acts, the requesting group may be responsible for restitution (committee determination)
-NOTE: No indirect costs (overhead) will be awarded on research proposals Addendum: Like projects/activities that may qualify per the wishes and conditions of Hugh C. Becker include, but are not limited to: Muskie propagation by the Twin Cities Chapter #1, in their own ponds (?) with their own equipment Stocking, by either raising Muskie fingerlings or purchasing fingerlings/ yearlings/adults for public use in designated waters Habitat protection and improvement Clean water (quality) protection and improvement Professional research by qualified personnel (not limited to Minnesota, but must include accountable data) Expansion of the present muskellunge range (special consideration for the Missouri river system in North/South Dakota) The Twin Cities Chapter #1 Committee will consider projects based on their respective merits per criteria above, and awards will be published in the Muskie magazine. The principles of Muskies, Inc., Youth, Research, and Fisheries are guidelines inclusive in qualifying and evaluating proposals. **** NOTE: Accountability reports, DNR letters, Research papers, publications, University acknowledgements, and any other follow-up information for awards given in a particular year will be required before any individual or group is given consideration for future grants. Minnesota High School Muskie Tournament Hi guys. My name is Mike Riha and I am the new director of the 2015 HS Muskie Tournament. I am also the regional VP for the North Metro Chapter of MI. Please forward this email to whoever in your chapter is running the sectional for the 2015 HS State Tournament. Have them get back to me so that I can create an information address list. Here is what I know so far:
1) the date of the HS State Tournament will be Friday, June 26, 2015. Hours 6:30am-2:30pm 2) Sections have to be completed and HS State Tournament participant s names emailed to me by 10pm June 15. 3) The State Tournament will be held on Lake Vermilion. The Vermilion Dam Lodge will be tournament headquarters. 4) A tournament banquet meal will be provided for participants and their mothers and/or fathers free of charge. 5) Much of the tournament rules will remain the same as in years past. 6) I will need judge boats for that day. 3-4 should suffice. More than that are welcome. It is a big lake. I will be in one judge boat. Here is my contact information: Mike Riha 2401 Northdale Blvd Coon Rapids, MN 55433 763-607-2800 text or call mwriha@aol.com Thanks so much for what you do. Encourage HS age boys and girls to participate wherever and whenever you see them. They are the future and the future of MI. Feel free to give individuals my contact info. Mike The Minnesota High School Tournament The Minnesota High School Muskie Tournament is being held June 26, 2015 on Lake Vermilion. The Vermilion Dam Lodge is the host of tournament activities. Hours will be from 6:30am to 2:30pm The new director of the tournament is Mike Riha. Contact Mike at mwriha@aol.com or 763-607-2800 text/call. Two boats per section can qualify for the tournament. The sections are made from the local Muskies Inc. chapters. Section qualifiers need to be identified by June 15, 2015. Mike needs to know the contact information of the people in charge of the sections so that he can send out all information concerning this event. Thanks. District Finder - Use the district finder to retrieve a list of your representatives with contact information. Buy some MMPA Swag today. We send many thanks to those that have supported this effort. 100% of the profits go to fighting for your fish. http://www.cafepress.com/mnmuskie Join Us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/minnesota-muskie-alliance/340864160658 Minnesota Muskie and Pike Alliance http://www.mnmuskie.org/ Communications Please look over the contact information in the back of the newsletter to make sure the information is correct. Send me any new or updated information so the newsletter can get to those who need it. Our MI chapters and related groups have banded together as the MMPA to improve the fishing in our state. This is done by working together. Don t be afraid to ask for support on your projects, that s what we are here for.
My job as communications co-chair is to get the information out. It s up to YOU to share the information and pass it along to your friends. If you know someone that wants to receive the MMPA newsletter please send me their e-mail and I will add them to the newsletter list. Try to get your information to us by the 25th of the month so we have time to include it in the newsletter. Keith Okeson green@lcp2.net Dan Crooms dcmusky@msn.com Department of Natural Resources Contacts: Don Pereira, Central Office, Fisheries Management Chief, 500 Lafayette Road, St Paul, MN 55155 651-259-5229 don.pereira@state.mn.us Neil Vanderbosch, Program Coordinator (St Paul) 651-259-5178 neil.vanderbosch@state.mn.us Mike Habrat, DNR, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Detroit Lakes Area Fisheries Office. 14583 County Rd. 19 Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 218-846-8343. mike.habrat@state.mn.us Al Stevens, DNR, Fisheries Lake and Stream Survey Program and Tourney Coordinator (St. Paul) - (651) 259-5239 al.stevens@state.mn.us MINNESOTA MUSKIE ALLIANCE OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES Co-Chair John Underhill (507) 259-5074, muskiefool@yahoo.com Co-Chair Aaron Meyer (320)260-0961 aaronmmeyer@hotmail.com Treasurer Carl Phillips (763)972-8240, cphilli@yahoo.com Secretary, George Selcke (952)933-2608, selckgeo@gmail.com DNR/Legislative Committee John Underhill Committee Members: Shawn Kellett (612) 201-0209, John Underhill (507)259-5074 New Waters/Stocking Committee- Chair Greg Kvale cattail1947@yahoo.com, 218-232-0328 Communications Committee Co-chair Keith Okeson (218) 273-6389 green@lcp2.net Co-chair Dan Crooms (507)744-4265 dcmusky@msn.com DNR REGION REPRESENTATIVES: NE DNR Region: Chapters: Brainerd Lakes, Lake Superior and Star of the North MMPA Reps: Keith Okeson 218-273-6389 Greg Kvale 328-232-0328 Region Fisheries Manager Tim Goeman, 218-999-7819 NW DNR Region: Chapters: Fargo Moorhead, Bemidji/Cass Lake MMPA Reps: Mark Stenger 218-342-2743
Brett Waldera 701-298-9032 Region Fisheries Manager Henry Drewes, 218-755-3959 Central DNR Region: St. Cloud MMPA Rep: Bruce Kitowski (320) 656-1160 EsoxMaster@charter.net ; Ken Schmitt (320)290-6272 kenor@juno.com Brad Parsons, 651-259-5789 South DNR Region: Southern Crossroads MMPA Rep: Dan Crooms 507-744-4265 Region Fisheries Manager: Jack Lauer, 507-359-6046 CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MINNESOTA MUSKIE INC. CHAPTERS #01 Twin Cities: 4012 Washburn Av. So. Mpls. MN 55410; Shawn Kellett, (612) 201-0201, George Selcke (952)933-2608, gselcke@yahoo.com and Tom Keith tomk@uswireless.com #02 Fargo-Moorhead: PO Box 2021, Fargo, ND 58103; Brian Grote, brianlgrote@gmail.com #15 Star of the North: 16774 W. Bay Dr., Pengilly, MN 55775; Gary Rutherford (218) 885-1677 garyrutherford@me.com; Dave Berglund (218)244-1856 bergfish@mchsi.com #21 North Metro: PO Box 41216, Plymouth, MN 55441; Steve Wernersbach (763)242-2625 swernersbach@gmail.com ; Mike Riha mwriha@aol.com North Metro chapter website link www.nmmuskies.com #24 Brainerd Lakes: 9143 Lone Pine Road, Brainerd, MN; (218)821-3669 Jeff Young; Greg Kvale (218)232-0328 cattail1947@yahoo.com and Aaron Heimkes aaronheimkes@yahoo.com Brainerd web site at: www.brainerdmuskies.com #33 Lake Superior: 2031 Hwy 33 South, Cloquet MN 55720; Keith Okeson (218)273-6389 green@lcp2.net; Pat Okeson; Lake Superior web site at: www.lakesuperiormuskies.com #37 St. Cloud: 109 Greenstone Ln. Waite Park, MN. 56387; Bruce Kitowski (320) 656-1160 EsoxMaster@charter.net ; Ken Schmitt (320)290-6272 kenor@juno.com Aaron Meyer (320)260-0961 aaronmmeyer@hotmail.com St. Cloud web site at www.stcloudmuskies.com #38 Vikingland: 106 Main Ave. Carlos MN 56319; Chris Willander (612)554-8170, Chris@titan-mfg.com #46 Bemidji/Cass Lake: 16256 Andrusia Rd. N.E. Cass Lake, MN 56633; Rory Potter (218) 335-8597 home; (218) 368-2688 cell roryjudy@paulbunyan.net #54 Southern Crossroads: 1931 Greenwood Drive, Owatonna, MN 55061; Dean Peterson 507-345-8701; Dan Crooms (507)744-4265