Working to Preserve, Promote and Advance Muskie and Pike Education and Research in Minnesota. April 1, 2015 Eighty Fourth Edition From John Underhill, MMPA Co-chair It feels like spring is finally here, with that comes the itch of open water and getting our boats out and fitted while awaiting the Muskie Expo. Please stop by to see us and consider a donation to our Political Education Fund so we can continue to support the legislators that care about our fish and water. The last of the Spearing bans are being lifted in the DNR game and fish bill a year after they were supposed to do this, which alone didn t make our size increase any easier. This has been a major point of contention between the Spearers and Muskie and Pike fisherman for decades. It s our hope that we will be able to make some headway with stocking and getting new waters. Now there are only irrelevant concerns that have been dispelled scientifically and observationally on the lakes that Muskies inhabit. There have been threats this year from Lake Associations that want to stop Muskie stocking and reduce the size limit to 36, so we need to consider our relationships with these type of groups and Always be a good Ambassador of the Fish. They deserve our best. We also have to consider other anglers and the property owners boats and docks. I ve been hearing this as a secondary argument recently by representatives of these groups. We need to respect each other at all times as we wish to be respected. Muskie guys get lumped in with everyone so we need to stand apart and continue to do the right thing. I hope to see you at the EXPO. John Underhill
From Aaron Meyer, MMPA Co-chair Year after year, it seems that the Legislature becomes a bigger and bigger part of fisheries management. Politics have always been a part of fish and wildlife management in Minnesota, but recently it has become the biggest part. At the same time, the MMPA has been getting more involved in Legislative actions, and we're learning a lot along the way. I don't believe any of us really enjoy this part of it, but the reality is that if we're not involved in the politics, we're simply not going to be very effective. I want to thank all of the chapters for their donations to the MMPA's lobbyist funding. We've truly found one of the best in the business, and we couldn't ask for a better ally. The MMPA formed to give all of Minnesota's Muskies Inc. chapters an effective and unified voice in fisheries management. With the current trend in Legislative actions dominating fisheries management, the MMPA has essentially become the "political arm" of Muskies Inc. in Minnesota. Without a lobbyist working for us down at the Capitol our effectiveness would be greatly diminished. And, without the donations from the chapters, we would not be able to continue funding our lobbyist. Thank you all! We can all be proud of our accomplishments, knowing we're doing our absolute best to preserve and advance muskie fishing in Minnesota. MMPA Co-Chair, Aaron Meyer 2015 HUGH C. BECKER FOUNDATION AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT The Twin Cities Chapter of Muskies, Inc., the Hugh C. Becker Grant Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of Grants for 2015. With these awards, the total of benefits issued since the beginning of the program (in 2008) will be <$960,000.00 The order of funding dates for 2015, with amounts totaling $119,500.00, are: To complete the Twin Cites Grant Committee commitment to the upcoming Muskie Symposium in 2016. February $30,000.00 To contribute to the growth of the Minnesota High School Muskie-Fishing Championship headed by the North Metro Chapter, #21, of Muskies, Inc. February $2,000.00 To help fund the various projects of stocking, research, and MN DNR fisheries equipment through the North Metro Chapter, #21, of Muskies, Inc. February $5,000.00. To provide continued needed equipment for increased muskie-raising at the New London, MN Hatchery Facilities. March. $10,000.00 To assist and upgrade Aerators for Lake Rebecca brood stock efforts of the MN DNR through both the Twin Cities and North Metro Chapters, #1 and #21, respectively. March..$6,000.00 To upgrade the fencing project at the Spooner, WI, hatchery facilities through the Hayward Chapter, #13, of Muskies, Inc. March..$4,000.00 To contribute to the Minnesota Muskie and Pike Alliance (MMPA) political lobbying
efforts for related issues within the State of Minnesota. March...$4,000.00 To provide partial funding for Genetic Analysis of Minnesota Muskellunge Populations (research) by the University of Minnesota (Loren Miller). April..$ 9,000.00 To provide funding to the Twin Cities Chapter, #1, of Muskies Inc., to grow their participation in the Minnesota High School Muskie-Fishing Championship. April...$2,500.00 For continuing the pit-tagging research by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) for the Lake Canadohta, Tionesta Lake, and Edinboro Lake in Northwest Pennsylvania (Crawford/Warren Counties) by Brian Ensign. May $2,000.00 To partially fund the efforts of the Mountain Muskies Chapter,#60, of Muskies Inc., to study age class, condition, and longevity in Washington State tiger- muskie lakes. May. $5,000.00 To assist the Lake Superior Chapter, #33, of Muskies Inc., in their three-year study (2015,2016,& 2017) of the St. Louis River estuary to ascertain muskie population and movement to sustain a trophy fishery in this area. May $2,500.00 To assist the Park Rapids, MN DNR in assessing the muskie-spawning habitat on Mantrap Lake in the first phase of the three-year study. May $1,500.00 To help fund the Fin Rays for Estimating Age of Muskellunge research study in Wisconsin waters by Lake Superior State University (Dr. Derek Crane). May... $5,000.00 To support the Youth Program of the St. Cloud Chapter, #37, of Muskies, Inc.. May. $2,000.00 To partially fund the Montrose, MN, Fisheries Offices of DNR with their pit-tagging study on the Sauk River Chain of Lakes through the St. Cloud Chapter, #37, of Muskies Inc. May. $1,500.00 To provide partial support to the Wisconsin DNR through the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Points for the Electrofishing catchability of young-of-year Muskellunge in Northern Wisconsin lakes. June. $5,000.00 For continued support of the Youth Conservation Alliance programs of Muskies, Inc. June... $4,000.00 To assist the Twin Cities Chapter, #1, of Muskies, Inc., in supplying funds for additional heating the St. Paul, MN, Hatchery. June. $2,000.00 To support the Lake Simco restoration project through Muskies Canada. September. $4,000.00
To support the stocking program of the Penn/Jersey Chapter, #50, of Muskies, Inc. September $2,500.00 To support the Twelve Apostles Musky Club with their stocking program for the Central Wisconsin River project. September... $3,000.00 To support Bills Musky Club in stocking Lake Wausau, Rib River, and the Wisconsin River Flowage. September... $3,000.00 To provide funds to the Twin Cities Chapter, #1, of Muskies, Inc., for their Metro Lakes stocking projects. October..... $4,000.00 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
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 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: Shawn Kellett, (612) 201-0201, George Selcke (952)933-2608, gselcke@yahoo.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: 30879 100 th Place Sturgeon Lake MN. 55783; 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: PO Box 6, Bemidji, MN 56619; Ethan Rogers (218) 766-6697; muskiestrike@gmail.com #54 Southern Crossroads: 1931 Greenwood Drive, Owatonna, MN 55061; Dean Peterson 507-345-8701; Dan Crooms (507)744-4265
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