STC_LT Musky.8.5x11 1/2/13 10:23 AM Page 1 MUSKIE magazine is published six times each year and is the Official Publication of Muskies, Inc. Ellen Wells, Administrative Secretary, 1509 Stahl Contents Road, Sheboygan, WI 53081. Ph: 1-888-710-8286. © Copyright 2013 by Muskies, Inc. All rights reserved. MUSKIE • Vol. 47, No. 3

What are Action Lakes? Do you know how to choose one, or to fish them? Read more about the Wisconsin Northwoods in Patricia Strutz’ article starting on page 16.

Departments 2 President’s Message, Jay Zahn Features 3 About the Cover, Juris Ozols 6 Battle for the Bucket, from Chapter 3 4 MUSKIE News 5 Index of Advertisers 6 Chapter Challunge 1987, Dean Rosset 7 Lunge Log, Jim Bunch 8 Legal Odds and Ends from the Northwoods, 11 Photo Contest, Brad Waldera Rick Helm 14 Advertiser Spotlight: 12 Walking With River Master Lenny Rubesch, Northwest Flying Inc. Ace Sommerfeld 15 Figure 8, Kevin Richards 16 Northwoods Wisconsin Action Lakes, Patricia Strutz 24 Member Photos Brad Waldera 20 Meticulous Means More Muskies, Joe Bucher 25 Chapter News and Views 22 The 50th Annual Vilas County Marathon, Liz Cratty

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www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013.....MUSKIE 1 Board of Directors Executive Committee President, Jay Zahn Phone: 920-660-7655 Email: [email protected] VP Finance/Treasurer, Jim Shannon Phone: 763-434-9729 Email: [email protected] VP Fisheries & Research [ Vacant ] Phone: Email: VP Internal Affairs, Fred Brogle Phone: 715-479-5873 Email: [email protected] VP Membership & Marketing, Greg Wells Phone: 920-457-3720 Email: [email protected] VP Communications, Ron Teschner Phone: 701-640-0544 Email: [email protected] VP Youth Activities, Kevin Bushnick TheThe President’sPresident’s MessageMessage Phone: 847-987-3622 Email: [email protected] by Jay Zahn, Muskies, Inc. President Corporate Secretary, Lorin Nevling Phone: 217-762-8070 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Past-President, Dan Narsete elcome to the May/June issue of MUSKIE Magazine. We made it through Email: [email protected] another tough winter and I’m sure I speak for all muskie anglers when I say we Senior Regional Representatives are also are ready for some open water so we can start using all those rods, reels and lures Executive Committee Members W we picked up over the winter. Regional Representatives Before we all go fishing, I would like to do some house cleaning on some issues I have ( *denotes Senior ) heard from time to time. The most prevalent issue which I hear is about what Muskies Inc. does with your 35 dollar annual membership fee. I know some members are going to say Region 1 Term Expires *Greg Kvale ...... 2013 we are talking about this again, but the question does come up and we have many new Eric Schultz ...... 2014 members who may not understand the process; this should help them. I could answer this Jeff Young ...... 2015 many ways but I never have read a better explanation of how we operate than the one that Region 2 Carl Phillips wrote about a year ago. I want to share his essay with you. Carl has been active Joseph Heil ...... 2013 in his chapter, is a member of the Finance Committee, and also served as a Regional Rep *Ron Groeschl ...... 2014 for Region 1. Carl wrote: Jeff Miller ...... 2015 Region 3 The founders of Muskies Inc. decided to do things differently as compared to the other *Max Machuta ...... 2013 conservation organizations. All funds raised by each of the Chapters of MI stay within the Jim Evers ...... 2014 Robert Roe ...... 2015 Chapter for local use. This compares with a retention rate of 15% at the local level for other conservation groups. Region 4 *Frank Walter ...... 2013 Here is the Purpose and Mission of Muskies Inc. from its Bylaws: Kimberly Cates ...... 2014 Earle Hammond ...... 2015 The purpose of Muskies Inc. is the improvement of the sport of muskie fishing. Our mis- sion is to unite all Muskie-fishing interest for the promotion and protection of a high quality Support muskellunge sport fishery in the United States and Canada. We will accomplish this by sup- Administrative Secretary, Ellen Wells porting conservation practices, especially catch and release, and research based on sound scien- 1509 Stahl Road, Sheboygan, WI 53081 tific merit, and carried out by authorized federal or state agencies, appropriate academic Phone: 888-710-8286 Email: [email protected] institutions, Muskies, Inc. Chapters, and their members. We are committed to the abatement Executive Accountant, Kathryn Goon of water pollution, maintenance of records for muskies habitat, growth and range and the Phone: 419-945-2940 dissemination of Muskie information. Email: [email protected] The financial statements that Muskies Inc. sends around to its Chapters represent funds Merchandising Director, Will Schultz received and spent by Muskies Inc. only. These statements are not an amalgamation of all MI Phone: 616-447-1688 chapters. The $35.00 membership fee is payment for the Muskies Inc. brand and platform Email: [email protected] which each Chapter uses to raise funds and spend as they see fit. The $35.00 membership fee Web Master, Ron Groeschl pays for this brand and platform. The membership fee also pays for information dissemination, Phone: 262-789-1255 an action the founders thought to be essential. Think of Muskies Inc. as the hub entity and Email: [email protected] each Chapter as a spoke from this hub. The financial statements are for the hub entity. 2 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 It is an unfair comparison to make if one looks at the financial statements in a vacuum MESSAGEPRESIDENT’S and compares costs to perceived benefits at the hub level. One always needs to understand that the Chapters are the fundraising entities and this activity is not represented in these state- MUSKIE Magazine Staff ments. Because of the way our founding fathers set us up our financial statements will always represent only the income and expenses relating to the hub, Muskies Inc. but will never rep- Editor resent a roll-up of all Chapters activities. Kevin Richards Muskies Inc. is principally a volunteer organization. Total salaries for the six contracted 7618 Sunrise Ridge Road Henley, MO 65040 positions are $64,000 per year. These contracted positions include a Magazine Editor, Phone: (573) 280-2300 Assistant Magazine editor, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Web Master and Lunge Log. Email: [email protected] Again, these positions make the Muskies Inc. logo, brand and platform available to each ASSISTANT Editor Chapter. Juris Ozols The Chapters in total raise well over $1,000,000 each year and spend this on activities Phone: (612) 747-0178 relating to each Chapter’s interpretation of the Purpose and Mission as stated above. The Email: [email protected] financial statements do not include any of this activity, in keeping with our founder’s wishes. PHOTO CONTEST EDITOR Brad Waldera As you can see our founders thought it was important to leave the money in the areas Phone: (701) 642-1952 ◆ where it was raised, for the projects important to the individual chapter. That is why when I Email: [email protected] PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEPRESIDENT’S say our chapters are the superstars of Muskies Inc. I mean it. LUNGE LOG EDITOR One thing I left out of Carl’s essay was the fact that MI offers its chapters a 501c3 plat- Members Only Fishing Contest form to work off of. I know most of you are aware, as Carl wrote, the hub (MI) lost its Jim Bunch status last year; we are in the process of getting the status back. This however did not Phone: (715) 226-0295 Email: [email protected] directly affect the 501c3 status of individual chapters. Each chapter should have their own Federal ID number and exemption. The tax exempt status only applies to federal income tax, ADVERTISING SALES TEAM Kevin Richards, Advertising Manager nothing else. If your chapter has any questions about this please contact VP of Finance Jim Phone: (573) 280-2300 Shannon or our Treasurer Kathy Goon; their contact information can be found on page 2. Email: [email protected] You should also contact your own tax adviser. Advertising Sales Representatives: Terri & Harlan Fierstine I hope this gives you a better handle on how we operate as an organization. As always Phone: (218) 252-0947 or (218) 255-3461 feel free to contact me or any of the VPs or your Regional Reps if you have any questions. Email: [email protected] Now let’s get back to planning the next fishing trip and have a safe and successful year chas- Kevin Pischke ing the fish we all love. Until next time . . . Phone: (920) 676-7893 – Grab em’ by the tail, Jay Zahn Email: [email protected] PRINTING Account Manager ◆ Sunray Printing Solutions, Inc. - Stacey Thielen ABOUT THE COVERTHE ABOUT Magazine Design Sunray Printing Solutions, Inc. - John Windschitl IllustratorS/CartoonistS About Richard Gross, Charles Weiss FIELD EDITORS the COVER Patricia Strutz, Ace Sommerfeld, The acrylic cover painting Kevin Pischke, Sean Landsman, Rick Helm, “Double Trouble” of a fighting Adam M. Glickman, David Cates Muskie was done by Charles MUSKIE is published exclusively for the member- Weiss, an artist, sculptor and ship of Muskies, Inc. and subscriptions come with a paid membership. Muskies, Inc. is a non-profit muskie enthusiast from Toronto, organization. Membership classes and associated Ontario. Our readers are also annual dues are listed on the form at the bottom familiar with his humorous of page one. Copies of MUSKIE magazine are available at $3.00 each from the Muskies, Inc. ◆ Muskietoons which we feature

Administrative Secretary. COVERTHE ABOUT in almost every issue of Contributors grant rights for M.I. to publish once in MUSKIE. MUSKIE Magazine, both the print and on-line ver- sions, including archives and on the M.I. Web site. Special thanks to Charles. If you would like more information about his artwork you can visit his website: http://www.charlesweissart.com/ or you can write to him at: 34 Hughey Crescent, Toronto, Ontario, M1K 2V4 Canada Submissions to MUSKIE Magazine Our cover this month is in “landscape” format. Although this breaks with Persons interested in submitting material for tradition for virtually all modern magazines which invariably use a “portrait” ­publication should contact the Editor. orientation, the subject for this month worked best in a horizontal layout. We’ve Contributors grant rights for M.I. to publish once done this once before.. in MUSKIE Magazine, both the print and on-line versions, including archives and on the M.I. Web – Juris v site. www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013.....MUSKIE 3 MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS Minnesota Muskie and Pike Alliance, partial funding for advocacy for funding partial Alliance, Pike and Muskie Minnesota FishRoseWildat program MuskyWinnebagolandpilot Club,joint for equipment tagging PIT Rapids, Wisconsin DNR, Wisconsin pro research of funding partial Association, Musky Bay Georgian Chapter 1, Twin Cities, continuing in efforts promoting, organizing, management muskie enhance to equipment Cloud, St. 21, Chapter tag on literature educational 1, Twinproducing Chapter for Cities, muskie-rearing Hatchery, Fish London New DNR, Minnesota equipment, research tagging Office, MetroWest DNR, Minnesota HughBecker.of generosity and foresight the to thanks youth and the is research order, fisheries, muskie benefit will which chronologicalgrants of list impressive in below, Listed 2013. for $101,200 Muskies,of Chapter Inc. recipientsthe announced totaling grants of FoundationBecker C. Hugh the Grantsfrom 4 MUSKIE..... 4 for protecting, restoring, maintaining, and growing the muskie the growing and maintaining, restoring, protecting, for stakeholders and Legislators State Minnesota educate to efforts and manufacturer unit house”$3,000 DNR: Wisconsin “safe the between Hatchery Project system, River Wisconsin central $4,000 Bergman: JenniferM. Coordinator the in research $6,500 Bay: Georgian of portion southern the in loss habitat nursery land wet on practices developmental of effect the quantify Fraserto McMasterwith Universityconjunction Dr. in and gram Chow- $1,000 Expo: Muskie Minnesota the at lure-making youth the operating and $3,600 FisheriesOffice: Field Montrose DNR, Minnesota for operations hatchery and $500 date: to DNR Minnesota the by conducted research ging $8,700 equipment: $2,000 MN: Shakopee, Cities Twin the of Committee Grant Becker C. Hugh The May / June 2013 June / May - - - Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation, funds to assist with acquisi for materials survey creel Alliance, Muskie Michigan 47, Chapter assess population muskie fund help to Lakes, Brainerd 24, Chapter High Minnesota the for funds matching Cities, Twin 1, Chapter Youth support to Cloud, St.Programs:2,000 37, Chapter popula muskie assessing Superior,for Lake equipment 33, Chapter and research continuing Commission, Boat and Fish Pennsylvania the in research radio-tracking Canada, Muskies of Chapter Ottawa programs: Hunt Muskie Youth Alliance, Conservation Youth The 2016 Muskie2016 Symposium, fifty-yearthe anni commemorate (50) to Lake Fox the for stocking Chapter, Valley River and Fox 39, Chapter Independence lakes for stocking Cities, Twin 1, Chapter MN: Lake, Bear White for stocking Metro, North 21, MN: Chapter Minnetonka, Lake for stocking Cities, Twin 1, program: Chapter stocking their for support Penn-Jersey, 50, Chapter Project: Restoration Muskellunge Simco central Lake the Canada, Muskies in efforts stocking Club, Musky Apostles Twelve tion of additional shoreline land on Millers Bay of Leech Lake: Leech of Bay Millers on land shoreline additional of tion $1,500 2013: $5,000 Fund):Heritage Lessard-Sams Outdoor the by acquisition land front river the with coincides (this area this for plans stocking Minnesota the with conjunction in dam MN., Brainerd, the from downstream River Mississippi the on ment $1,700 program: fishing muskie School $5,000 system: River Louis St. the and Reservoir Lake Island on characteristics tion $4,500 Hatchery: Linesville equipment, tagging from guidance with River University:$4,000 Carlton at Lab Cooke Rideau the of area Pond Brewer $3,000 region: the throughout $1,000 and Minnesota in pike-fisheries and esr o Msis Ic, h Hg C Bce Fudto is Foundation Becker C. Hugh the Inc., Muskies, of versary $2,500 Chain: Waconia,$2,000 MN: $5,000 $5,700 $2,500 $5,000 $2,500 River: Wisconsin $4,000 idie evc’ 21 Ntoa Sre o Fishing, of Survey and National Fish 2011 U.S. Service’s The Wildlife years. in five increase past the double-digit over a anglers and hunters significant in a showingincrease recreation outdoor national of comprehensive survey a of results the announced today Salazar Ken Interior the of Secretary numbers, website Interior the of Dept. FromU.S. Rise the on Hunters and Anglers Decline, of Decades After $15,000 approaches: time as public made be will consideration and gencies contin Other expenses. anticipated defray to annually Muskie deposits additional with account escrow proposed an to go will the Funds Twinarea. the Cities in held sponsoring be to Symposium in interested Highlighting the reversal of decades of declining of decades of reversal the Highlighting - - - - - MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS ◆ MUSKIE NEWS ◆ INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 4 7 9 5

14 19 17 33 13 21 10 34 18 31 15 IFC island. . swivel 2012 an

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of one, Call or write for data on musky catches: with Eight-time Muskies, Inc., DonationS depth docks, INDEX OF ADVERTISER room their recent donations to Muskies, and Red Wing Lodge, Box 1008, Baudette, MN 56623 Chapter Challunge Headquarters 1986,

Family owned and operated for 40 years convenience Phil Phil Uhl Jeff Gros Jeff

Jim Jim Hejlik seats Over Jody Booth Jody Jeff Bienein Jeff The

• Ultra-modern • Housekeeping • Floating • Dining Released Special thanks to these members and and members these to thanks Special Dean Dean Peterson James O’Connor James 2012 2012 Chapter Challunge Headquarters! LAKEWOOD PRODUCTS ONLINE LURE PARTS MIRROCRAFT RUN LAKE MOREHEAD TOURISM-CAVE MUSKIE MAGAZINE-THINKING ADVERTISING OF INC. FLYING NORTHWEST LTD. RENTAL, WILDERNESS HOUSEBOAT ONTARIO CH. 03 - 2013 HAMM GIL CHALLUNGE MEMORIAL CH. 33 RIVER - ANNUAL CHALLENGE 3RD - TOURNAMENT MUSKY CH. 69 - CHAUTAUQUA REPLICAS FITTANTE JOE BUCHER OUTDOORS LODGES LAC FLOATING SEUL RED WING LODGE CROIX RODS ST. YOUNG’S WILDERNESS CAMP 1983,

CHECK OUR WEB SITE FOR THE FIRST LIVE CAM IN MORSON! 12,000 Muskies 12,000 , a member probably www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/ shared shared computer v If If you get don’t your ID cards by the end of the next month Administrative Administrative Secretary wants Ellen to Wells remind members Password The – same password Password you use for the MI site. Always stay logged in – By checking this, it keeps the browser Username – This is your Member ID; the This same is as Member your the Members – Username The new MI is Forum open for business, so Randy give it a try. Mark Mark is a muskie-fishing fanatic. His passion has helped him Fisheries Management Biologist Mark Boone retired on April 1, April on retired Boone Mark Biologist Management Fisheries www.muskiesinc.org card card process is being reviewed for ways to streamline and speed up the process. our web site using your ID number and established password. following a renewal can you contact Ellen for a duplicate. The ID that there is always a delay in issuing members membership renew or membership join. worry, ID ID cards But are don’t cards after not required to prove membership. can You verify membership on Membership Membership ID Cards should not check the Always stayed logged-in on in logged account an option, Leaving finished. when out log to unless remember they than other someone by use to vulnerable it makes computer shared a that member. cookie from expiring. By checking the stay logged in option, you will you option, in logged stay the checking By expiring. from cookie clear you unless again password and username your enter to have not your cache. When using a Login ID to the MI site. Loewecke offers the following brief description of the Login Screen - the screen you see to when the you “Login” Forum. Muskies Inc. Web Forum is Forum Open! Muskies Inc. Web retirement gives him much more time on the water. We also hope it We him gives much time more on the retirement water. might leave some time for Symposium. him to help with the 2016 Muskie make many friends throughout the muskie world. We hope his Conservation. During his career Mark served as Muskie Missouri’s Program Coordinator and Missouri’s representative to the Committee Technical Esocid of the American Fisheries Society. Mark was the current lead statewide author muskie on plan. Missouri’s Thanks Thanks and Congrats Mark Boone! 2013 after 27 years of service with the Missouri Department of Salazar-Survey-Delivers-Great-News-for-Americas-Economy-and- Conservation-Heritage.cfm Hunting, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation found that nationwide increased by 9 percent while anglers grew by 11 percent. hunters You can read the full article at: The Battle for The Bucket from Chapter 3 - Chicagoland Muskie Hunters he Chicagoland Muskie Hunters invite all chapters of Muskies Challunges over the past several decades. TInc. to come and enjoy all the camaraderie and competition at A quote from the Tuna Salad column in the November 1977 the Gil Hamm Memorial Chapter Challunge this September 18, 19, Muskies Inc. Newsletter foreshadowed a clue to the future of the and 20th on Lake Vermilion, MN (more information can be found Challunge: “We all celebrated with a bottle of champagne, there were in the ad on page 22). The full moon will surely have all the giant no losers. Every person who attended left feeling more enriched for muskies in every one of the lake’s fabulous forty thousand acres fero- having been a part of this get together . . .” ciously inhaling our Double Tens, TopRaiders, Bulldawgs, and The Lunge Bucket, which was created after the first Challunge to Shallow Raiders. be awarded to the triumphant chapter, may have lost some of its shine The first Chapter Challunge in 1977 was initiated and hosted by after 37 years, but it’s battle-scarred exterior only adds to its luster Muskie Hunters, Illinois Chapter of Muskies Inc. By virtue of when a chapter is crowned Muskies Inc. Chapter Challunge destroying all competition at last year’s Challunge on Lake of the Champion. Woods, the Chicagoland Muskie Hunters have the privilege of host- While the Challunge lasts for 2 and a half days, if possible you ing this year’s event. That initial Challunge had sixteen anglers repre- should come for a full week and take advantage of the opportunity to senting three chapters: Chapter 01-Minnesota, Chapter 02-Fargo enjoy wonderful fall fishing during the full moon period on this mag- Moorhead, and Chapter 03-Muskie Hunters, Illinois Chapter of nificent lake. Muskies Inc. Chan Cotton boated the only Muskie the last day of the Spring Bay Resort will be the host and headquarters for the competition, a 32.5 incher, to eke out a hard fought victory for Fargo Challunge; several other camps on the lake will also provide comfort- Moorhead. The final tally was Fargo-31 points, Chicago-28 points, able and reasonably priced lodging. Three free meals and many fun and Minnesota-9 points. activities will be provided by the Chicagoland Muskie Hunters. They The intent of that first coming together of Muskies Inc. chapters will also oversee a big fish pool. was to get to meet members from other parts of the country in a For complete details regarding the Challunge see Fred Brogle’s fishing-friendly atmosphere with an element of competition. That article in the March / April 2013 MUSKIE Magazine, go to objective was overwhelmingly achieved as evidenced by the tremen- www.GilHamm.com or contact Frank Loye at: 312-446-0979 or dous number of chapters and anglers who have participated in all the [email protected] v

at that time and back home were very successfully Spoonplugging Chapter Challunge 1987 a local lake with a 19-20’ drop-off so fishing at that depth was not a problem. Next day we were out early, about 9am, and trolled the Looking Back area with a 700 series Spoonplug and caught a 44” fish which held by Dean Rosset up as the only fish caught in the event. Suddenly most of the boats were trolling! he picture, from a small Iowa news- The Lunge Bucket was given to Tpaper, is of the Chicagoland Muskie us at the spring MI meeting at Jumer’s Hunters 1987 Challunge team which Castle in the Quad Cities area. During won the event in the Iowa Great Lakes this week-end our third grandchild area. Pictured are a young Japanese com- was born. The Japanese lad was Ted puter salesman, his diminutive, pregnant, Takasaki who became the president of never-fished-before wife, and a grandma Lindy Tackle and is now a famous and grandpa. (two grandchildren) They walleye tournament fisherman and hardly fit the description of muskie fisher- sports writer and his wife Lori. Team man as written in Time On The Water. Rosset continued muskie fishing and Reports of very good catches came won many MI and chapter awards from this area so Team Rosset (Dean/ including a first place in MI Women’s Leah), being young and adventurous, Release and Women’s Masters for went there in 1986 and became friendly with a local fishing phe- Leah. We stopped fishing after the “08” season but both remain very nom and his wife. The guy fished before, after, and sometimes dur- active in the chapter. In “87” we won the contest with 18 points but ing work. The Upper Great Lakes chapter had won the 1986 our chapter’s 2012 winning team had 157!! Challunge so they scheduled their waters for 1987. The Rossets were at the Chicagoland booth at the Feb. 87 sport The Chicagoland Muskie Hunters will host the 2013 Challunge show when a young Japanese lad came to chat. He related that he on Lake Vermilion, MN on Sept. 18-20. To enter a team (1-6 anglers) send a check for $25 per team, payable to Chicagoland knew people in Iowa, had fished with them, and had some knowl- Muskie Hunters, to Dean Rosset, 7600 Kilbourn, Skokie, IL, edge of the area. He was immediately recruited into MI and prom- 60076. There is no limit on the number of teams per chapter. ised the captaincy on the Challunge team. And so the team of four unlikely Muskie Hunters headed to Iowa. In addition, please email the chapter team members’ informa- At the Friday buffet, after the first all-boat non-catch day, tion to: [email protected] and [email protected]. For Leah was chatting with the wife who told her of fish they had seen general info, check-out: www.gilhamm.com or email: musky- 20’ down on some rocks. We were very much into Spoonplugging [email protected] or [email protected] v

6 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log ◆ Lunge Log 62704 MUSKIE 7 g v

t for Jim Bunch May / June 2013..... Ray Sailer Kevin Richards The Lunge Log 715 226-0295 [email protected] [email protected] “...build better baits...” Pinch-hitting 42 inches, Lake Kinkaid, 3-26-13 Lure Parts Online, Inc., 580 North Street, Springfield, IL

You will You undoubtedly notice that this is a very short version of With Jim on the DL, we wouldn’t have had any Lunge Log Minnesota Minnesota – oops! As of this writing I have Lake iPhone photos Kincaid from for Ray Bunchman the and As 2012. for list Ryan. Juniors’ our on #8 in came he You name, probably remember Ryan’s is Ryan dangerous would . say, . . very dangerous! the Lunge Log. That’s because I am pinch-hitting Bunch for Jimmy That’s the Lunge Log. who is temporarily on the DL (that’s a fancy baseball acronym for out-of-service). expect We the Bunchman back soon with his more detailed and informational Lunge Log. his Joe, Hardy. Joe buddy my for wasn’t it if month this all at photos thru the Illinois drove and his grandson, Ryan son-in-law Ray Sailer, snow at the end of March to get away from the snow and cold of

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was by Troy Radcliff from Chapter 9; a 31.5 incher Troy from was by st h b t Chipper Bushong, Chapter 52, released a 52-incher on March There There had already been 10 muskies registered from 44.5 to 52 Steve Warner Steve Warner kept at it and as of this writing had 10 muskies As of March 27 The first four muskies in the 2013 Members Only Fishing on the Licking River, KY. Mark Dudt, Chapter 16, released a st www.muskiesinc.org Chapter 9, released a 50-incher on January 8 WV. inches as of March 27 1 50-incher on January 6 muskies up to 44 inches during the first three months of the as New had 4 other members. Year, But none of those take top honors. entered, but entered, that is not the most! from Chapter 16 Dixon Matt had already entered a dozen muskies. Both Steve and Matt had released day from the same river – 35 and 36 inches. The fourth release on January 1 River in WV. Tygart the Contest were caught Peacock of Day. on Tom Chapter New Year’s 50 had the earliest; a 34-incher at River 11AM in PA. Steve (also E. from Warner Chapter 50) added 2 the more that Susquehanna Lunge Log, but by the time you read this report the muskies will just will muskies the report this read you time the by but Log, Lunge about be jumping into the boats across much of muskie range. Legal Odds and Ends from the Northwoods by Rick Helm, MUSKIE Field Editor and Net Man Extraordinaire ’m from Indiana; I consider everything north of Chicago as the 30 meters (about 100 feet) of any waters; it is also illegal to bring any Northwoods (or as the McKenzie Brothers used to call it, The crayfish, salamanders, live fish or leeches into Ontario for use as IGreat White North). bait. While they can be problematic, the need for some of these rules DISCLAIMER: This article contains comments regarding both current is fairly obvious. For example, read the recent articles in MUSKIE events and oddities of the law which might come into play for muskie Magazine about rusty crayfish, which have “invaded” numerous fishermen in particular, and sportsmen in general. NO LEGAL waters by way of fishing equipment, boats, and bait transportation. ADVICE IS INTENDED. The author is licensed to practice in the State of Indiana, which is excluded from the geography discussed in this INSPECTIONS AND SEARCHES article (although current weather at time of writing might indicate a Ontario apparently does continue to permit conservation offi- change in the near future). Any sarcasm or misdirected attempts at cers to interrupt your travel, at least at a “road check station” to humor are the author’s and not to be attributed to Muskies Inc. inspect your fish. As most muskie fishermen follow a catch-and- release philosophy, this may not be terri- AQUATIC VEGETATION bly important but if you are bringing AND DRAIN PLUGS home walleye, pike, perch or whatever, be By recent legislation in both sure you are aware of the regulations. The Wisconsin and Minnesota, boaters are short version is that each fish should be required to remove aquatic vegetation packaged separately so they can be count- from boat and trailer, as well as remove ed, preferably with filets spread flat in a drain plugs, before leaving the boat clear freezer bag, with a sufficiently large ramp. patch of skin on each filet to identify spe- Since 2010, boaters have been cies, and be aware that “Conservation required by Minnesota law to remove Officers may inspect your catch at any aquatic plants and zebra mussels from time”. They need to be able to easily boats and trailers; drain all water (drain determine the number of fish and the plug, bilges, live wells, etc.); and drain species of fish. Penalties under the Fish bait buckets when exiting lakes that and Wildlife Conservation Act can go to have been designated as being infested $25,000, one-year imprisonment, or with spiny water flea or zebra mussels. You may keep your unused both. Canadian regulatory schemes are generally viewed as black and bait if you replace the water with tap water or spring water. Fines in white, no discretion, because the rule exists and no explanation. The Minnesota can range from $50 to $1,000. The good news is that rule exists. Adjust your approach accordingly. tickets can now be paid online or by phone at: www.mincourts.gov By the way, Canada does have a Bill of Rights. It was adopted Wisconsin has enacted similar rules for all waters. In Wisconsin by Parliament in 1985. A number of rights are listed as “human you can be pulled over on the open road and ticketed for having your rights and fundamental freedoms” and provides that no law shall be drain plug in your boat. It does not matter whether there is water in construed to authorize the arbitrary detention, imprisonment or the boat or not. Wisconsin has also mandated (since 2001) that exile of a person. However, this does not seem to apply to enforce- aquatic plants and animals be removed from boats before they are ment of conservation laws or at least has not been interpreted to launched. Fines for violation run from $232 to $767.50 for first mandate any form of probable cause or reasonable suspicion for offense, and a second offense within three years can be punished by enforcement activities. up to $2,657. This is separate from the drain plug rules which are Another interesting rule in Ontario is that it is illegal to have any more recent, starting in 2010. alcoholic beverage in a boat. Period! No beer for shore lunch, let If you suffer from CRS Syndrome, you may want to incorporate alone no tippling during fishing. The only exception I am aware of a memory device, such as a 3x5 card on the dashboard that says “Put is possibly an exemption for transport of alcohol from a launch site in your plug before launching” or painting the word “Plug?” on a to a remote cabin or camping area. This author did not research visible point of one of your boat straps. Anything to avoid trying to enforcement, but by word of mouth is aware of everything from put a plug into a boat that is halfway launched off the trailer or substantial fines, to warnings, to confiscation “in the name of the worse, getting a boat full of water back up on a trailer to remedy lack Queen”. of a plug. It will also serve to remind you to pull the plug on depar- In Minnesota it appears that current court cases have held that ture and not drive down the road with plug in and risk a ticket! a conservation officer may not enter a fish house for a routine license In Ontario, it is illegal to release any live bait or dump the con- check but may stop you in a boat and inspect your boat, your fishing tents of a bait bucket, including the water, into any waters or within license, safety equipment, and so on. No probable cause or reason- 8 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 able suspicion requirements are applicable. In Fishing license handbooks fre- Trespassing is another issue. Every state fact the primary case from the Minnesota quently cover all of the things has a variety of statutes governing trespass by Supreme Court involved a boat that was not you may need to know, but are sportsmen or fishermen. If there is any ques- even on the water. It was on a trailer being tion at all, your answer should be “No, don’t portaged from one lake to the next. The con- often contradictory with do it”. servation officer stopped the truck during the ­important things buried in the Again, particularly in Canada you run portage to inspect the boat. The Minnesota fine print. Ultimately, it is best the additional risk of being in trouble for Supreme Court decided that this was different to stay away from legal entan- camping or fishing on Crown land, which is a from a roadblock and was permissible enforce- glements, even though the fact separate violation. In addition, fishing on ment. Incidentally, establishing roadblocks or Crown lands is subject to conservation license check stations on the highways, to check for that they sometimes exist is how limits; and you are required to purchase per- fish was declared unconstitutional by the some of us make a living. mits to camp on Crown land. Careful inquiry Minnesota Supreme Court in 2000. is appropriate. On the lighter side, Canada, according to TROLLING, LIVE BAIT & the Ontario Court of Appeal, permits persons of both sexes to be OTHER ODDITIES topless. The act of being topless is not in itself a sexual act or inde- cent, according to the Court. This has been the law since at least 1996, although I have no reports as yet of this affecting anyone’s fishing trip. HOW TO INTERACT WITH A CONSERVATION OFFICER There are two schools of thought. Both should be governed by the same primary principles. When dealing with Conservation Officers be polite, be nice, be cooperative, don’t snarl, don’t argue. One school of thought is that when asked, do whatever the Wisconsin has many lakes on which trolling is not permitted or officer asks you to do, whether it is likely legal or not. The warden alternatively, is only permitted if you are physically rowing a boat. wants to look in your trunk, “Go right ahead, officer, I have nothing Apparently trolling is considered unfair and bad unless you are work- to hide, no problem”. The primary defect with that approach is ing hard at it; then it is apparently less unfair or even good. encountering an officer who is intent on finding some sort of viola- A problem one encounters frequently if fishing live bait for tion whether it is really there or not. muskie (such as quick strike rigs) is the concept of position fishing. The other school of thought is equally applicable to motor Wisconsin DNR regulations define “position fishing” as where the vehicles and boats. Never consent to a voluntary search. If you have fishing line extends vertically into the water while the boat is maneu- nothing to hide, why consent, and you don’t have to prove your vered by a motor used to position or maintain the boat over under- (Continued on page 10) water structure. This is allowed statewide. Be careful, very careful. If a warden observes your line at an angle, position fishing can Morson, Ontario become “trolling” by a very subjective and www.wildernesshouseboats.com discretionary determination. There is further debate as to whether there must be breeze of some kind so that you are using your electric motor to keep the boat in position, as com- pared to using the electric motor to bump the boat a few feet down the shoreline in Live with the Muskies calm water. The latter can be interpreted as on Lake of the Woods! trolling. Those who think sucker fishing or live bait fishing should include a monstrous Styrofoam ball, sometimes known as a bob- ber, have additional problems. The line from boat to bobber is always going to look like you are trolling, or at least be subject to that interpretation by a warden (notwithstanding the fact that you also have no control what- soever over your live bait when using a bob- 8 Houseboat Models ber as opposed to running the line straight All the conveniences of home ~ at your favorite fishing spot! down from the boat). If you are involved in live bait fishing for muskie in Wisconsin, Ph: 1/800/359-6199 U Email: [email protected] again, be cautious. www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013...MUSKIE 9 legal odds and ends (Continued from page 9) innocence. Remember the context. Some “searches” are permitted without your permission. The contrary argument is that declining a request to search your boat or car without probable cause or a war- rant simply arouses suspicion. This is probably true. You will have to decide for yourself. One intriguing response to a request by an officer to search something in your control is “I’d rather you didn’t” which is obviously neither a denial nor giving permission. And if asked why, respond with something logical, such as “I have a long drive today”. Repeat the phrase as often as needed, at your own risk. CROSSING THE BORDER Crossing the border in either direction is not what it was in your grandfather’s day. The officers have much broader authority, and many more issues and obligations to attend to. It is highly recom- mended to treat Customs Officers of both Canada and the United Heading to the Chapter Challunge a couple of years ago, we had a States with considerable respect and deference. Most are professional, Canadian officer conduct a more than thorough search of my Toyota a good many operate with courtesy and some degree of friendliness. and then volunteer to help return the stuff, especially the heavier items, if we would tell him where to load it. More than accommodat- ing, probably in respect of our advanced ages. But if you draw an officious or grumpy officer, you won’t win Purposes of Muskies, Inc. with argument or sarcasm. Just smile, kill them with kindness and • To promote a high quality muskellunge sport fishery; obedience, and make up comments about them as you drive down the road, i.e. vent later. Remember, in theory, at least under the • To support selected conservation practices based on sci- homeland security regime, they can take you away indefinitely by entific merit and carried out by authorized federal and declaring you to be an enemy combatant. So, no combat! Leaving an state agencies; extra 45 minutes in your itinerary is the best plan. If you transit • To promote muskellunge research; quickly, you have bonus time; if not, you have planned for it and • To establish hatcheries and rearing ponds and intro- don’t need to rush or get a speeding ticket trying to “catch up”. duce the species into suitable waters; • To support the abatement of water pollution;­ CONCLUSION • To maintain records of habits, growth, and range of It is best to be aware of local regulations. Local shops are a good species; source of current events, current enforcement emphasis, and guide- lines. Fishing license handbooks frequently cover all of the things you • To disseminate muskellunge information; may need to know, but are often contradictory with important things • To promote good fellowship and sportsmanship­ among buried in the fine print. Ultimately, it is best to stay away from legal men, women and children. entanglements, even though the fact that they sometimes exist is how some of us make a living. v

10 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 Photo Contest – May / June by Brad Waldera, Photo Editor • [email protected]

Photo #1 Here is a scene I bet every Muskie angler is familiar with. Some may see it as they are heading out on the water; some may see it as they are coming in for the night after a long day on the lake, and some see it both times on the same day. In this case, Tom Ardolf of the St. Cloud Chapter took it just as he was heading out for some evening fishing. It’s a really nice shot that kind of makes you wish you were there. One thing I also noticed was that it looks like there is some rope lighting along the sides of the boat. I’m not sure if that is something Tom added or if the boat comes with it, but if not I’d say that was a pretty good idea. Thanks for the photo Tom, I appreciate it.

Photo #2 My old friend Gerard Hellenbrand sent in this photo of Cap City Chapter President Lee Bartolini stocking some Leech Lake strain Muskies into Lake Monona. Gerard says the fish were PIT tagged, fin clipped, and measured beforehand. The Chapter purchased 500 of these fish from a Minnesota Muskie farm and the WDNR did the tagging, clipping and measuring of them before they released the fish. I rarely get photos like this although I know quite a few Chapters are stocking fish on a pretty reg- ular basis. I’d like to see more shots like this come in with a bit of information with them. I think our readers find it very interesting. Thanks Gerard. www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013.....MUSKIE 11 Walking with River Master Lenny Rubesch by Ace Sommerfeld, MUSKIE Field Editor Lenny with a 36.5 incher caught during a Chapter 6 League Night. (Tim Hillary photo).

vening mosquitoes rage against a veil of repellant. My destina- Tournament Committee member. tion is a rocky stretch just upstream from a hairpin turn. Lenny owns a boat and spends a fair amount of time on some of EBefore I get there the unmistakable cadence of a muskie caster the area lakes. You can count on him placing well in the Chapter 6 catches my attention. I stop and listen. It’s coming from the hole. Wednesday Night League, which is all lake fishing. He made his first I’m a little teed off . . . and bewildered. trip to the Canadian Shield in 1989 with Gene Coyer. Gene was “Nobody comes way back here.” I think. instrumental in getting Lenny to join the chapter. Moving ahead, a figure appears through the trees, For Lenny, pursuing After several trips with Gene he settled into Lake and I shake my head with defeated approval. river muskies feels as of the Woods. He has fished with Paul Michaels, “I should’ve known it was you,” I said. Lenny natural as going for a Dick Stelter and the rest of the boys for a long Rubesch is standing waist-deep on the downstream time. Lenny is one of those guys you feel fortu- edge of the hole. I make a mental note of his lure. walk; he has been river nate to have in your boat when something impor- He starts to make room, but I decline. fishing for as long as he tant is at stake. “You beat me fair and square,” I say. “Give can remember. See what I mean? He seems like a normal me a buzz when you get off. At second thought, muskie stick. But when his friends are thinking call in the morning.” It could be midnight before he gives up. about mid-lake humps, Lenny has his mind on approaching the next It’s not the first time I’ve run into Lenny. We share the penchant rapids when it gets dark. He has carved out a niche in the muskie of fishing muskies in small rivers. Our paths cross now and then. I’ve angling world which few understand or appreciate. been lucky enough to make several floats with him. Where we differ Lenny has set himself apart from the few boot and blister anglers is experience. Three years ago when I took Lenny’s off-beat approach he runs across. At 71 years old, he is twice the age of the average river to catching muskies seriously, he was over 30 years ahead of me. angler. His counterparts often last a year or so before they either buy On the outside Lenny looks and acts like any other member of a boat or quit muskie fishing. Lenny’s river expertise comes from a First Wisconsin Chapter 6. He joined Muskies Inc. in 1987. From lifetime of observations, trial and error, and hard work. In 2006 he the beginning, Lenny has been instrumental in the success of the released enough river fish to achieve the status of Master. chapter. Over the years he has assumed a number of chapter posts For Lenny, pursuing river muskies feels as natural as going for a such as, Merchandise Sales and Rearing Pond Attendant. His current walk; he has been river fishing for as long as he can remember. “The duties include Board of Directors, Fisheries Specialist, and Annual neighborhood boys would walk down to our favorite hole on the Chippewa River and fish until we got hungry. We’d go home, eat, and head out again.” Their fishing hole was two miles from home. There were days when they made three round trips. As he got older over- night trips became routine. Wading through the maze of rocks below powerhouses was the standard for catching walleyes and smallies in Lenny’s youth. Bass tactics worked just as well for muskies. It was a simple mat- ter of going bigger with all of the gear. Longer rods were essential for keeping the fish at a safe distance. He uses the same equipment for lakes and rivers. Lenny carries his river gear in a small backpack that stays with him at all times. The pack allows him to change lures without losing his position in the river. When night fishing swept across the muskie world, Lenny was right in step, and well prepared to take the concept to his rivers. The adventures of his youth were filled with all night forays amongst the boulders and rapids below the powerhouses in Chippewa Falls. He waded familiar stretches equipped with an inexpensive headlamp and fished alone under the stars. “Safe and successful night fishing starts in broad daylight,” he Lenny Rubesch with a 46-inch night biter on his favorite stretch of river.. said. Spending a lot of time in an area when you can see what you’re 12 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 doing is the key to night fishing. You have to identify all of the trouble Lenny’s rivers and muskie fishing in general have made dramatic spots. River anglers often learn where the sudden drop-offs are by changes since the day Coyer convinced him to give the big fish a try. stepping into them. A good soaking on a chilly day stays with you a Catch and release was in its infancy back then. Seven foot rods drew long time. Snagging a submerged log or boulder could lead to losing scrutiny and doubt. Now eight footers are short. an expensive lure and leader, or ruin a good approach into a hole, or When he was forced to think about the most profound difference both. And don’t forget to watch the trees along the bank behind you. between 1986 and 2013, he replied, “People and fish . . . there’s more A backlash of that nature in the dark often brings an abrupt end to of both. I never panic when I’m sharing the river with other anglers. your night. I’ve caught so many fish in a hole that just got pounded by someone Lenny’s a great guy to talk to when the fish are slow. He weaves else that pressure doesn’t change my tactics.” a good sense of humor into his lessons. You’ll get tips on what should Lenny sees more fish than ever before. “Muskie sticks are living be in your backpack. He has helpful hints on stretching your muskie in the best of times, on lakes and rivers,” he said. “We are reaping the budget, to fishing Lake of the Woods, to purchasing leaders. I am benefits of organization and commitment that was set down a long always trying to understand more about river fishing, so that is the time ago.” v way I try to direct the conversation. When asked about the fundamental difference between rivers and lakes, he responded by saying, “Lakes are all about wind; current dictates how you approach a river.” He believes the vast majority of muskie sticks prefer lake fishing over rivers because muskie angling is a tag-team endeavor. “Your odds of contacting more fish and getting them on the bump board increase when you have a partner,” he said. River fish- ing is the opposite. Wading is best done when you’re going solo. Lenny is convinced older muskies know when you’ve entered their space. The last thing you want is another angler churning up muck and crunch- ing rocks together. Too much human activity will lead to good looks at fish that were curious enough to follow a lure, but wise enough to back off. Anyone who has spent a couple of seasons trudg- ing up and down a river has had their share of unex- pected and exciting moments. Lenny’s vault is huge. There was the time he gave casting lessons to a bear that sat on the bank thirty feet away for an undeter- mined length of time. He’s had muskrats swim between his legs, and deer come close enough to touch them. Every now and then an owl will attack a topwa- ter in the darkness. When I pressured him about the largest fish he’s caught, he had a terrific tale. “A number of years ago I released my longest river muskie in late fall,” he said. “She was 51 and a half inches, from the Chippewa River. A couple of days later I got a tip from a 16 year-old angler.” The teenager reported seeing “a monster” a short way up the Eau Claire River. The lad said he was done for the year, so Lenny armed himself with a sucker and staked out the hole. “I stood in 18 inches of water just upstream from the hole and played out line as the sucker drifted into deep water. I brought it back to me every five minutes. After a few attempts a fish appeared. It came into the riffle, but stopped short of attacking the sucker. “We had a stare-down that lasted at least a minute,” he continued. “She wouldn’t come any closer than 15 feet, but there is no doubt she was several inches longer than the big fish I released on the Chippewa.” It was the first and last time he encountered the kid’s monster. Lenny believes big muskies will occasionally follow bait fish into smaller tributaries, and that’s how she ended up in the unlikely water where smaller fish are the norm. www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013...MUSKIE 13 Fly to your very own secluded muskie lake! If great walleye and northern fishing is what you’re after then Northwest Flying is a family-owned commercial air charter com- look no further than Cleftrock where you will have the entire lake all pany that will ensure your next Canadian fishing adventure will be a to yourself with two great portage lakes to explore. Loonhaunt Lake successful one. They have been flying out of Nestor Falls, Ontario is a one stop shop for lake trout, bass, walleye and fantastic northern since the early 1960s. Jack Pope became co-owner in 1987. In 1992 fishing. New for 2013 is Ajax Lake; the only cabin on this great the Pope family took over sole proprietorship and the family still runs ­walleye and northern lake offers exclusive access to four portage lakes the business to this day. that offer excellent bass, northern, walleye and lake trout fishing. Good fishing keeps changing with the seasons and the years. In addition to outposts, Northwest Flying offers Day Fishing Northwest Flying has learned to watch for the best lakes that Trips and private Fly In Camping trips to several lakes to fish for Northwest Ontario has to offer. walleye, northern, muskie, bass and lake trout. If you’re interested in If you’re looking for a Remote Fly In Outpost, Northwest Flying a day trip for muskies they can take you to Shingwak Lake. has four locations to choose from. Kishkutena Lake offers some of the Northwest Flying also services several excellent American Plan best bass fishing in the area and has a healthy muskie population. Lodges in the area so feel free to contact them anytime to discuss your Take a look at the Muskies Inc. Lunge Log and you’ll find plenty of next Canadian fly in fishing trip. information about “Kish”. Kishkutena is only 8 air miles from Nestor MUSKIE Editor Kevin Richards met Shane Pope and some of Falls; it is about seven miles long and one mile wide. The water is the Northwest crew while passing through Nestor Falls last summer. slightly tea colored and anywhere from about 40 to 80 feet deep. It He said, “It was a beautiful clear, calm morning. My son and I has a predominately rocky shoreline with lots of islands and rock piles. couldn’t resist taking a scenic flight over Sabaskong Bay. It was a real In the deep sections of the lake you will fish for lake trout. treat, can’t wait to do it again!” v MUSKIE Magazine is pleased to have Northwest Flying Inc. as one of the fine advertisers who support Muskies Inc. Read more on their excellent website, at: www.northwestflying.com

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14 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 FIGURE 8 FIGURE Figure 8 8 8 by Kevin Richards

[email protected] ◆ FIGURE 8 ­ FIGURE Openers! Well muskie nuts our time is finally close at hand. It seemed like a long winter to me, probably because of the Spring snows. Even though I can fish for muskies all year in Missouri, I normally leave them alone for the months of January through April when I’m chas- ing other species and hunting. For me, May in Missouri is my ests you add more levels of stakeholders. If you add politics you ◆ southern opener and June or early July is my opener Up North. really have a mess. The management challenges become exponen- FIGURE 8 FIGURE Wherever your opener is this season, enjoy and good luck! tially more challenging as the numbers of vocal stakeholders increase. At some point, stakeholder groups A, B, C, D, etc. will have strong Wisconsin disagreements and passionate voices get louder. This issue of MUSKIE included two feature articles about Northern Wisconsin is kind of back in that loud and passionate northern Wisconsin, specifically Vilas and Oneida counties. The phase again. Some of the hot topics are tribal spearing tournaments number of muskie lakes and the fishing opportunities in those two targeting muskies, annual tribal walleye harvest declarations for counties is amazing. This area was the destination for my very first waters in the northern third of Wisconsin which could result in a

muskie trip 43 years ago. one-walleye daily bag limit for sport anglers on many lakes, and the ◆

It seems like having a wealth of fisheries resources also tends to permitting or regulation of various mining operations, among other 8 FIGURE bring a wide diversity of fishery challenges. I was very fortunate to things. Are all these issues related? The simple answer is yes, in one work as a fisheries manager in the state of Missouri. Most of the way or another. large lakes I worked were government-owned and had very little The only way to work through such complicated issues is for residential shoreline development; the exceptions were Lake of the stakeholders to sit down and calmly discuss their concerns and Ozarks and Lake Taneycomo. When you add residential shoreline desires. In my opinion Muskies Inc. could be a well-informed, calm ownership you add another level of stakeholders who can be very voice at the table. supportive or very demanding. If you add a strong tourist industry you add another level of stakeholders who can be very supportive or Finally . . . after the thrill of catching your next muskie, please ◆ very demanding. If you happen to add tribal interests you add yet do your best to carefully release it to fight another day; the future of 8 FIGURE another level of stakeholders who can be very supportive or very our muskie resource will literally be in your hands! demanding. If you happen to add mining or other industrial inter- - Kevin v Deadlines

& Schedule ◆ FIGURE 8 FIGURE Please submit chapter reports, regional reports, news items, ads, and member photos by the deadlines below. In gen- “Rip-N-Lips” Muskie Extravanza eral, the deadlines will always be the We offer some of the best trophy muskie waters on 20th of the month about 40 days prior Lake of the Woods – Stevens, Stony and to the date on the issue. In 2013 our Sabaskong Bay issues will be mailed at the beginning of • Remote Island Camp (boat-in) each odd-numbered month; they will • All-inclusive American Plan • Housekeeping cabins

be available to members on our web- ◆ site about 10 days before they are • Free guided tour with map of muskie hotspots FIGURE 8 FIGURE mailed. • Professional guide with 21 years lake experience Write or Phone: • Specializing in personal service Here are the deadlines for the next We will donate three issues of MUSKIE: 1-807-484-2930 U.S. residents call Toll-Free 1-866-894-0674 5% of your fishing July / August issue - May 20th deadline Box 126, Nestor Falls, Ontario P0X1K0 package to the muskie club of y Sept. / Oct. issue - July 20th deadline e-mail: [email protected] our choice! Ask for details Nov. / Dec. issue - Sept. 20th deadline www.youngswildernesscamp.com www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013...MUSKIE 15 Northwoods Wisconsin Action Lakes Patricia Strutz, MUSKIE Field Editor

Though smaller-sized muskies are the norm on action lakes, there are always a couple of big fish; the author’s clients caught this dandy after only 30 minutes on the lake

iving in northeast Wisconsin, I sometimes lament the fact You can catch your dinner while fishing for muskie. Walleye harvest that I can see more big muskies in a week of fishing in regulations are often more liberal on lakes less than 300 acres and LMinnesota or Canada then I see around here all year long. they are generally not subjected to harvest by spearing. Well, that’s probably somewhat of an exaggeration. It’s spring. You’ve been penned up all winter long and just On the other end of the muskie fishing spectrum, I’ve found no want to catch some muskies! Muskies tend to become active much better place to fish for “numbers” of muskies than Vilas and Oneida quicker on the dark waters of small, shallow action lakes than our counties. clear, deep, trophy waters. Let’s dissect these Northwoods action lakes - specifically, why muskie fishermen would want to fish them, how to figure out which Choosing an “Action Lake” lakes provide rod bending action and how to approach these honey Try a relatively small lake; 500 acres or less. That’s not to say holes. some of our larger lakes don’t provide action, but, the smaller ones are more consistent. There are always Why Fish an Action Lake? exceptions to this rule. Jute Lake, off Are you relatively new to muskie County Road B, is less than 200 acres. fishing? If you’ve caught and handled I definitely don’t consider it an action less than a dozen muskies in your life, lake. However, as a side note, there have action lakes are great places to hone been a few big girls caught and released your skills. Each time an angler hooks from that lake. When fishing a small up, battles and lands a 34-inch muskie, lake, it only takes a quick milk run to it provides much needed practice and see if the fish are active. If not, move preparation to battle a 50-incher one on. Conversely, Pickerel Lake, on day. Highway J near St. Germain, is around Are you introducing a newbie to 740 acres but it provides plenty of muskie fishing? Action lakes, full of action. At its deepest, however, it is small muskies and northern pike, pro- only 17 feet. vide much more steady stimuli. A nov- Choose a shallow lake with rela- ice is not mentally prepared to handle tively dark, stained water. These eight hours of fishing with few follows waters warm up faster in the spring and and they can greatly benefit from the cool off faster in the autumn. Muskies aforementioned practice. are spooked less easily on dark waters. Have you been pounding “big fish These lakes tend to have hard sand bot- waters” to no avail? If you’ve been toms and well defined, large weed flats. beating yourself up on trophy waters for A good example is Muskellunge Lake the past few days and have experienced on Highway G. With a maximum non-eventful results, switch to an action depth of 19 feet, its weedy, dark waters lake. Getting slime in the net from a few provide great cover for muskies and small muskies will provide the mental northern pike. uplift needed to head back and hunt for Some clear water lakes provide the big ones. action, too. Ballard Lake, near Sayner, Do you want to catch some other Many of the author’s clients are muskie fishing is an example. It’s only 500 acres and species too? Many Northwoods action novices. When they book a half day trip, I head to has a maximum depth of 15 feet. It’s lakes are full of tasty northern pike, an action lake. After spending a solid hour on the very easy to see muskie follows among walleye and some of the scrappiest basics of casting, they still have ample opportunity its towering cabbage beds. I do find smallmouth bass you’ll ever tangle with. to catch their first muskie. that the fish seem to spook near the 16 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 boat. Fishing Ballard on cloudy, windy days seems to increase hook-up percentages. Shallow seems to be the most important Why Fish an Action Lake? part of the equation here. Lac du Lune, near Land O’Lakes, is only around 440 acres. Are you relatively new to muskie fishing? However, with a maximum depth of 70 feet it’s Are you introducing a newbie to muskie fishing? certainly not an action lake. For trophy hunters who don’t mind a very challenging boat launch, Have you been pounding “big fish waters” to no however, it’s a dandy lake. Some very big fish avail? have been caught there. At the other end of the spectrum is Irving Lake, off County Road K. It’s Do you want to catch some other species too? a nice size, just over 400 acres. However, it’s only eight feet deep. On late spring years you’re You’ve been penned up all winter long and just able to burn bucktails over the thick weeds early want to catch some muskies! in the season but it quickly becomes unfish- able. Is the lake accessible? As noted above, some of our lakes have extremely rustic boat launches. Low water years make launching difficult. One example is Pioneer Lake, near Conover. Come pre- pared with four wheel drive or a trailer that allows you to load and launch your craft in skinny water. If you can deal with the landing, this can be a fantastic action lake. Other lakes, like Meta and Bass (near Eagle River), don’t offer public boat landings. I’ve found quite a few resort owners allow you to use their launch if you ask nicely and offer to pay. Are there muskies in here? Okay, you’ve made a list of all the small, shallow, mostly stained water lakes with decent boat landings in Vilas and Oneida coun- ties. Now, check on your map’s key to see if muskies are marked as abundant, com- mon or even present. Abundant is, of course, always good. However, don’t com- pletely scratch off lakes that mark muskies as rare or not present. I’ve caught muskies on Forest, Tambling, Carpenter, Spectacle and Anvil Lakes. All of these lakes aren’t really supposed to hold muskies. Now, I wouldn’t place them in the action lake category but I will say I had the muskies all to myself on those waters. Check back. If a lake looked good on the map (small, shallow, dark waters, weed based) but you had no luck while fishing there, try it again in a couple of years. Over time, our small lakes change dramatically. Sometimes rusty crayfish move in and decimate the weeds. Other times thick invasive weeds like Eurasian milfoil take over. Lake associations may treat the milfoil and it can be gone by the next season. Forage can be cyclical. Low water or high water years can dramati- cally alter fishing. (Continued on page 18) www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013...MUSKIE 17 ACTION LAKES (Continued from page 17)

In addition to the action lakes already mentioned in this article, other recommendations are Wildcat, Long (Three Lakes Chain), Snipe, Palmer, Kentuck, Watersmeet, Lost, Sweeney, Boot, Allequash, Horsehead, Razorback, Carrol, and Two Sisters. How to Approach Action Lakes Find the weeds and fish them. It’s really that simple. If they aren’t too thick, cast small bucktails through them. For dense weed patches, I’ve had great success while grinding spinnerbaits. Sparse weeds or weed edges: work small twitch baits, gliders and jerkbaits. Drop offs adjacent to the weeds: use small crankbaits or soft plastics.

Action Lake: choose a small, shallow lake, preferably with dark, stained water. Tie on CAVE a small bucktail and fish the weeds

Besides weeds, have you noticed a pat- tern? Small. Our action lakes tend to have RUN rather small-sized forage, so, I’ve found small- sized muskie lures work great. That’s not to say I haven’t caught fish while burning a big Cowgirl or jerking a large Reef Hawg, but, LAKE why kill yourself? These fish will just as easily take a little Mepps bucktail. MOREHEAD, KENTUCKY Natural perch patterns work great. When the water is especially dark or holding a vivid green algae bloom, I find bright orange and Muskie Fishing chartreuse, especially in combinations with black, work well. If you want to fight a bunch Capitol of the South of pike, tie on a chartreuse and white lure. These scrappy, hungry “smaller-size” muskies found on our action lakes seem to favor a rather quick presentation. Lures found in my action lakes tackle box include: Mepps muskie killers, Grim Reaper and Rad Dog clothespin style spinnerbaits, Rizzo Wizzes, Big Game seven inch twitch baits, five inch Tuff Shads, Bucher 700 series, Rapala Husky Jerks, Shumway Hot Heads, Tyrant’s Tilky Cave Run Lake is home to great Tail, narrow bodied Cranes, six inch Grandmas, Hellhounds, eight inch Mantas, fishing and boating, but there’s so nine inch BullDawgs, and mini Medussas. much more! We invite you to explore Hope to see you on the water! v all that Morehead has to offer. Patricia Strutz can be contacted via email at: [email protected]

www.moreheadtourism.com 1-800-654-1944 | 606-780-4342

18 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013...MUSKIE 19 Meticulous Means More Muskies by Joe Bucher

You must constantly check your lures for hook sharpness every time you stop to fish a spot. Any time a fish is caught, that lure must be immediately examined.

big musky is just as likely to strike early in the morning, ing to fix a problem after observing it is just plain stupid. If you see when you’re fresh from a good night’s sleep and a big break- something wrong, fix it right away. Don’t make another cast until A fast, as it is at the very end of the day, when you’re tired and you’ve addressed the issue. hungry. Even after four decades of musky hunting it never ceases to Those who regularly catch big muskies are usually acutely aware amaze me how sudden and unpredictable this sport can be. Muskies of minute details, whether they actually realize it or not. In fact, are apt to hit in any weather, at any time of day, and on any given most serious musky hunters are obsessed with this aspect of the sport. spot. No matter how much you try to predict their behavior, there This is why they trigger more strikes and boat a much higher per- will always be an element of surprise. You simply have to be prepared centage of fish. There are still so many things that can go wrong that all the time. are completely out of your control. However, a lack of attention to With this in mind, I’d like to make one simple suggestion that simple tackle maintenance is totally within anyone’s grasp. Failure to is guaranteed to bring you more success. It centers on becoming far take care of things you can control simply makes the job all that more more meticulous at maintaining your gear. Out of all the things I see difficult and compounds problems. when sharing a boat with other anglers, young or old, this is one that The line on your bait casting reels should be changed much stands out time and time again. Successful anglers are meticulous. more often than you might first think. This is especially true if a lot Average anglers are not. of backlashes occur. Backlashes ruin almost any fishing line in short Meticulous maintenance of all of your gear on a regular basis is order since they essentially make a line cut into itself. The angler also essential to success with big gamefish. Keep every aspect of your puts undue stress on the specific sections of the line when attempting tackle in absolute top working order all the to pluck out a backlash. Jerking and yanking at time. This not only includes regular mainte- a backlash destroys the line’s integrity. Make nance of your rod and reel, line, leader and Do everything in your certain you change your line before your next terminal gear, but also of every single lure you power to be ready when outing anytime a number of backlashes occur. use regularly. In fact, I personally am involved that big fish moment It’s a given that a broken line on a big fish is sim- in some kind of lure maintenance before start- ply inexcusable. ing every single drift. Constantly inspect the arrives and you will likely An angler’s failure to sharpen the hooks on lure you are currently using to make sure it is in be posing for photos musky lures is probably one of my biggest pet tip-top shape. I guess one could say you need instead of contemplating peeves. I have to admit that I’ve become totally to become a “lure inspector” of sorts. Always “what might have been”. obsessed with hook sharpening. I have to admit examine all the components on any lure you are that I’m totally amazed by how few anglers take using, particularly the hooks. Always be check- hook sharpening seriously. Most anglers simply ing hook quality and sharpness; if a hook is starting to show some take a lure out of their tackle box, snap it on their line and start cast- wear, replace it. Always keep hooks super sharp. ing; never thinking to check for hook sharpness. Those same anglers Develop a simple maintenance routine that you practice experience an unusually high rate of lost fish. They get plenty of throughout the day. Most of it is nothing more than a quick “eyeball strikes, but consistently lose fish after the strike. The reason is usu- check” of your tackle before putting down the trolling motor to ally very simple – dull hooks. begin casting. This might not seem that important until you actu- Sharpening a hook isn’t something that you do once a season. ally experience a failure of some sort. It might be a stressed split ring, It isn’t something you do once a trip. And it isn’t something you a bent hook, or an open snap on your leader. It might also be a small even do once a day. You must constantly check your lures for hook fray in your line. Any one of these minute details has a tendency to sharpness every time you stop to fish a spot. Any time a fish is magnify its importance when a big fish strikes. A failure to notice a caught, that lure must be immediately examined. In fact, never problem is bound to cost you one fish after another. However, fail- underestimate how important it is to recheck for hook sharpness 20 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 after catching a small pike on a musky lure. Small pike are one of the biggest “dull hook culprits”. Always resharpen a hook after catching a small pike or any “accidental fish” caught while casting for muskies. Anything that comes into contact with a sharpened hook will dull it. Anything! A few quick strokes with a quality file usually does the job. Which reminds me of one last thing – make sure you use a really good file. Old rusty ones are junk. Once you find a good file, take care of it. Keep it clean and well-oiled so it stays in top work- ing order. In summary, the honest reality of ­trophy musky fishing is that very few really big fish opportunities will ever come your way. The bigger the fish, the fewer overall chances you will get. Even the biggest names in musky fishing today will be the first to tell you that muskies of 50 inches or more are never a regularity. Make it a point to keep every aspect of your tackle in tip-top shape. There are so many things you can’t Meticulous maintenance all of your gear on a regular basis is essential to control, yet meticulous maintenance of success with big gamefish your tackle is certainly one that you can control. In the sport of muskie angling big fish opportunities are moment arrives and you will likely be posing for photos instead of rare. Do everything in your power to be ready when that big fish contemplating “what might have been”. v

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Find the entire line-up of lures at your nearest retailer or go to: Find us on Facebook! Stay informed on all our latest products Joe Bucher Outdoors.com and information directly from Joe! www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013...MUSKIE 21 The 50th Annual Vilas County Marathon by Liz Cratty here’s a reason that Boulder Junction, Wisconsin is considered are catch and release. the Musky Capital of the World. It is located in the heart of Author Bill Gardner moved to Wisconsin in 1980 to fish for TVilas County, in Northern Wisconsin, and there are 194 lakes muskies. In his 1982 book Time on the Water: One Man’s Quest for within 9 miles of Main the Ultimate Musky, Street. Vilas County, which Gardner wrote: “If musk- shares a portion of its north- ies are so dadblamed hard ern border with Michigan’s to catch, why bother? Upper Peninsula, is home to Why not try for some- over 1300 lakes; less than thing easier, like trout or half of those are even named, bass? Let me put it this much less surveyed to know way: Would I quit my job what kind of fish they con- and move 2200 miles to tain. The county includes go trout fishing? What do 14 towns and a population you think I am, crazy? of 20,400. Fourteen percent No, it’s muskies for me. of the county is water. The I’ve got the fever. I’m Wisconsin Department of looking for one a little Natural Resources knows over four feet long with for certain that in this small sharp, inch-long teeth county of 1,018 square miles that could make mince- there are at least 186 muskie 50-inch Marathon muskie caught in early November (angler: Dirk). meat out of the average lakes. Fishing heaven. trout. That’s right, I came here for one fish. I want one big musky. In 1964, the Vilas County Tourism and Publicity office—in an Some men want to be President, others seek the Nobel Prize. I can’t effort to bring visitors to the region during the “shoulder” seasons help it if they’re short on ambition. I believe in setting goals high—I between snowmobiling and waterskiing—began the Vilas County want to catch one of the ten biggest muskies in Vilas County this year. Marathon, a competition for the biggest muskie caught in county When that top ten list comes out after the season closes November waters. Over the years, the rules and administration of the Marathon 30th, I want to be on it.” He didn’t make it. have evolved as the ecologically-minded fishermen began to respect Catching a top ten muskie is difficult, but registering a fish in the what a great sport fishing resource they had in northern Wisconsin. Marathon is easy: submit a photo of it with the registration form that At first, all the fish entered in the Marathon were kept and their includes a witness signature. Registration forms can be found online weight and length statistics recorded. In 1978 they added a division or at any of numerous registration stations around the county. Once for released fish. Recognizing the need to develop young anglers, they entered, most participants keep close track of what is happening with separated Adults from Juniors (age 15 and under), and that made four the Marathon standings at the same website. Marathon staff post all divisions. In 1998, they began to recognize the guides who not only the photos on the site, an excellent way for every angler to show off helped their clients catch big fish, but fished themselves, and boated his or her big catch. At the moment, they only keep one year of stats some big ones. In 2008 the Marathon opened up a Women’s Division, online at a time, but as they are in the process of reorganizing the site, and in 2011 they did away with the Kept Division. All entries now soon they will offer results from previous years for comparison. The season for 2013 runs from May 25 to November 30. The office waits until about December 15 to compile all the statistics to allow for late entries, and all the final information is available in early January, when Janet Christianson of the Vilas County Tourism and Publicity office will begin sending certificates and prizes to the win- ners. Then in March or April, an award presentation is held at the County Board meeting. All plaque winners, sponsors and registration stations are invited for the festivities. Janet Christianson and Cindy Burzinski, the Tourism Director, are the only two who handle all things for the office, and the Marathon is a big job just in itself. “We would not be able to do it without the sponsors and registration stations,” Christianson said. “Registration stations are throughout the county and the businesses donate space and time to provide the forms for the fishermen. They collect the forms and forward them to us. They’re very busy during the season, and we appreciate their assistance. Sponsors are also very important, it’s such a blessing that they provide prizes for our Marathon participants. The small allocation in our budget barely cov- Early August muskie 40.5 inches (angler: Kyle). ers postage.”

22 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 Christianson knows the magical aura of the muskie hunt first hand. She Over the years, the rules caught her first muskie on her honey- and administration of moon while reading a book, dangling the Marathon have her feet in the water. “Many muskies have been caught when fishermen evolved as the ecological- weren’t even fishing for muskie. When ly-minded fishermen you throw your line out, you don’t began to respect what a really know what is going to hit. It’s a great sport fishing unique catch every time. Even though resource they had in not every muskie caught is entered into the Marathon, the contest has been northern Wisconsin. . . . very good for Vilas County.” All entries now are catch Every youth registrant receives a and release. lure just for registering a fish, in addi- tion to their certificate and a pin. Sponsors also provide many different There is a reason that muskies prizes, mostly for the young anglers, thrive in Vilas County. The change in like line, tackle, and other things. “One attitude of the anglers has a big impact of the primary goals of the Marathon is on vigorous fish populations, but so to make sure our up-and-coming does the shoreline management of the anglers are supported,” Christianson environment. According to Tom Blake, continued. “Guides donate half-day 49-inch August muskie (angler: Christopher). DNR Shoreland Zoning Specialist, guiding trips for youth. Muskie Hunter there is a unique partnership between Magazine donates four subscriptions every year. Many sponsors the state DNR and Vilas County to maintain water quality, habitat, donate hats and all sorts of other things. We have prizes during the and all the things that go into keeping a good aquatic system Marathon and prizes that sponsors specifically give for the end of the healthy. Marathon. Last year (2012), a muskie rod was donated. We never “We have a long tradition of managing shorelands on lakes and know from year to year what awards we will have.” The Headwaters rivers,” Blake said. “For over fifty years there has been a density stan- Chapter of Muskies, Inc. donates plaques for the first three winners dard: waterfront lots have to be a minimum size, there is a setback for in each division every year. structures from the waterline, In 2012, sponsors included: we maintain a vegetative buffer Area Chambers of Commerce, Bill zone, and we regulate shoreland Lewis Lures, Elmer Jensen Guide wetlands and how those wet- Service, Headwaters Chapter of lands are to be used.” The Muskies, Inc., Kari Lessner Tackle, Wisconsin program is one of Lax Taxidermy, Miller Beer of the only a handful of such programs Northwoods, Mills Fleet Farm, in the entire country and not Musky Hunter Magazine, Sierra only makes for a healthy envi- Stream & Mountain, Smith Bait ronment, but a beautiful one as Manufacturing Company, South well. Bend Sporting Goods, and Vilas See a list of registration sta- County Tourism & Publicity. tions, photos, standings, and The historical records of statis- sponsors at www.vilas.org tics from the Marathon have been If you, your club, or com- important to the Department of pany would like to make a Natural Resources fish management. donation of cash or prizes, con- According to Steve Gilbert, biologist tact Janet at Vilas County and DNR Fish Manager in Woodruff, Tourism and Publicity in Eagle the muskie population in northern River at 715-479-3649. And if Even the church welcome Wisconsin is in good shape. “The you’d like to read about Boulder sign has muskies on it! biggest winning fish have remained Junction’s efforts to maintain their claim to fame for over 60 unchanged in either weight or length Early July fish, 47 inches years as the Musky Capital of since the Marathon started,” he said. Part of this is because of the (angler: Lori) catch-and-release mindset of today’s anglers. Sometime in the mid the World, visit their website at 1980s, the balance shifted from kept fish to released fish. In the early http://boulderjct.org/community/history/musky-capital-of-the- years, 90% of the fish caught were kept. Now, 90% of the fish are world-story/ v released. “Taxidermy has changed, as well,” Gilbert continued. “An angler doesn’t have to kill the fish to have a trophy to hang on the Photos courtesy of the Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce, wall. Reproduction taxidermy is a relatively new thing and the sophis- Vilas County Tourism & Publicity, and the author. tication, realism and detail is quite impressive.” www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013...MUSKIE 23 Jebb Garrison of the Vikingland Chapter #38 caught this nice 48 Bentley Kammerer of Chapter 20 caught his first Muskie inch Muskie while fishing Minnesota’s Lake Miltona in October of while fishing Random Lake in Wisconsin last year. It last year. was a 39 inch fish. Nice way to start Bentley. Hannah Olson of Chapter 33 took 1st place with this Muskie at the Lake Superior Chapter 33 youth outing. Congratulations Hannah

Tim Fischer of the Brainerd Lakes Chapter caught Chapter 8 member Seth Niday is 7, and caught his this beautiful 53.5 inch Muskie last year. It was his first Muskie while casting in August of last year. It personal best. measured in at 34 inches. John Santer of the North Metro Chapter sent in this photo. He said it snowed 2 of the 3 days he was on Vermilion last year. He and another Chapter member did get a nice fish on the trip though.

Brainerd Lakes Chapter member Hadasah Fischer caught her personal best last year, this 52.5 inch Muskie. Nice job Hadasah.

Katie Tolokken of the God’s Country Chapter caught this 38.5 inch Muskie last October. Last year was her 2nd as a Muskie angler and member of Muskies Inc. 10 year old Austin Smith of the 1st Wisconsin Chapter Note from the Photo Editor: We have had caught his personal quite a few pictures submitted without the individual best in November of last year. It measured listing their Chapter, making those pictures unusable. 46.5x22. Way to go Please remember to list your chapter affiliation this year. Austin! Thanks and keep the photos coming in. v

24 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 Chapter News and Views VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER ATTENTION CHAPTER CONTACTS: Please make sure your chapter address and phone number is correct on this page AND on the M.I. website. Whenever you update ­chapter ­information on the website, please send an email to the Editor so we can keep this page current. Thanks!

No. Chapter, Address Phone # ◆

01.....Twin Cities, 4012 Washburn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55410...... 612-925-1109 VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER 02.....Fargo-Moorhead, Box 2021, Fargo ND, 58107...... 701-298-9032 Special Events 03.....Chicagoland Muskie Hunters, 7600 Kilbourn Ave, Skokie, IL 60076...... 847-677-0017 04.....Titletown/Packerland, 3097 Inverness Lane, New Franken, WI 54229 ...... 920-866-9705 05.....Pomme De Terre, PO Box 5, Hermitage, MO 65668...... 314-440-2173 06.....First Wisconsin, PO Box 122, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729...... 715-864-2269 07.....South Side Muskie Hawks, 5211 S. Narragansett Ave., Chicago, IL 60638...... 773-581-8650 08.....Capital City, PO Box 8862, Madison, WI 53708...... 608-669-5046 2013 09.....West Virginia, 1270 Federal Road, Little Hocking, OH 45742...... 740-667-3571 10.....Heartland, 239 8th St SE, Mason City IA 50401...... 641-424-0827 April 27 11...... Mississippi Valley, 5301 11th Ave “C”, Moline, IL 61265...... 309-797-1803 Muskies Inc. Annual Board Mtg. 12.....Headwaters, PO Box 652, Eagle River, WI 54521...... 715-891-5574 Blue Harbor Resort & Spa 13.....Hayward Lakes, PO Box 609, Hayward, WI 54843...... 715-634-4543 14.....South of the Border, 28926 W. Big Hollow Rd, McHenry, IL 60050...... 815-385-9026 725 Blue Harbor Drive 15.....Star of the North, 16774 West Bay Drive, Pengilly, MN 55775...... 218-885-1677 Sheboygan, WI 53081 16.....Three Rivers, 119 Buss Lane, Renfrew, PA 16053...... 724-789-7866 Phone: 920-889-9803 17.....Quad County, PO Box 185, Plano, IL 60545...... 815-695-1494 18.....Hopedale, 15 Township Rd 125, Dillonvale, OH 43917...... 740-769-7269 http://www.blueharborresort.com 19.....Akron-Canton Muskie Maniacs, 7777 Infirmary Rd., Ravenna, OH 44266...... 330-297-1158 20.....Between the Lakes, PO Box 61, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085-0061...... 920-564-3226 May 17-19 21.....North Metro, PO Box 41216, Plymouth, MN 55441...... 612-916-7426 Indiana Muskie Classic, Hoosier 22.....New Jersey, 1524 Old Bethlehem Rd. Quakertown, PA 18951...... 908-319-2205 Muskie Hunters Chapter 42 23.....Cleveland, 5007 Starr St., Newton Falls, OH 44444...... 330-219-7964 24.....Brainerd Lakes, 18031 Heritage Road, Brainerd, MN 56401...... 218-838-5509 Kosciusko County – Webster, 26.....Central Wisconsin, PO Box 263, Medford, WI 54451...... 715-748-4874

Tippecanoe, and Barbee chain. 28.....Shawnee Muskie Hunters, 923 Reiss Rd, O’Fallon, IL 62269...... 618-628-4205 ◆ 29.....Upper Great Plains, 1788 Hwy 4, Estherville, IA 51334...... 712-362-2501 September 18-20 30.....God’s Country, PO Box 1461, LaCrosse, WI 54602...... 608-606-3065 VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER Gil Hamm Chapter Challunge 31.....Penn-Ohio, 309 Spring St, Jamestown, PA 16134...... 724-932-5815 32.....Flatlanders, 6259 Walnut Grove Road, Loves Park, IL 61111...... 815-389-4622 Vermilion, MN 33.....Lake Superior, 2031 Hwy. 33 S., Cloquet, MN 55720...... 218-879-2712 http://www.gilhamm.com/ 35.....Milwaukee, PO Box 28842, Greenfield, WI 53228...... 262-442-6260 37.....St. Cloud, 109 Greenstone Ln., Waite Park, MN. 56387...... 320-656-1160 Special events listings are 38.....Alexandria-Vikingland, 106 Main Ave, P.O. Box 102, Carlos, MN 56319...... 612-554-8170 39.....Fox River Valley, 1253 Cobblers Crossing, Elgin, IL 60123...... 847-741-9771 ­provided at no charge to 41.....Central Ohio, 2716 Red Robin Way, Delaware, OH 43015...... 740-225-1152 Muskies, Inc chapters. 42.....Hoosier Muskie Hunters, PO Box 501371, Indianapolis, IN 46250...... 317-372-0111 44.....Colorado, 1438 Royal Troop Drive, Castle Rock, CO 80104...... 303-263-3783 To list your chapter's event, 45.....Kentucky, 212 Linden Ave., Southgate, KY 41071...... 859-441-1666 email to: 46.....Bemidji/Cass Lake, 16256 Andrusia Rd NE, Cass Lake, MN 56633...... 218-335-8597 47.....Michigan Muskie Alliance, PO Box 512, Caledonia, MI 49316...... 616-447-1688 ­[email protected] 49.....Webster Lake Musky Club, PO Box 670, No. Webster, IN 46555...... 574-834-1669 or by ground mail: 50.....Penn-Jersey, 4 Shull Farm Rd., Erwinna, PA 18920...... 610-294-9399 Kevin Richards, 52.....Daniel Boone, 813 US 62, Maysville, KY 41056...... 606-759-7610 53.....Huskerland Muskie Hunters, 15706 Hamilton St, Omaha, NE 68118...... 402-498-8959 7618 Sunrise Ridge Road, 54.....Southern Crossroads, 1524 Country Club Rd, Albert Lea MN 56007...... 507-373-1818 Henley, MO 65040 56.....SW Ohio Muskie Assoc., 524 Sterling Meadows Place, Brookville, OH 45309.. 937-833-1833 57.....NW Tiger Pac, P.O. Box 5515, Kent, WA 98064...... 253-850-5889 Please send ­announcements 58.....Lake St. Clair Muskies, Inc., P.O. Box 806027, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080.....586-873-5781 at least 2 months in advance. 59.....New Mexico Muskies, Inc., P.O. Box 65575, Albuquerque, NM 87193...... 505-264-2999 60.....Mountain Muskies, 2216 W. Rockwell, Spokane, WA 99205...... 509-263-7235 61.....Northwoods Chapter, 11435 Boulder Point, Minocqua, WI 54548...... 715-356-9758 69.....New York Muskies, P.O. Box 10401, Rochester, NY 14610...... 585-670-0422 www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013.....MUSKIE 25 Club. We are happy to announce expanded boundaries! The Twin Cities boundaries will now run north from the DePere Dam to the 44-46 4012 Washburn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55410 latitude line. It is our CATCH, PHOTO and RELEASE format that is 01 612-925-1109 allowing for this expansion. We will also have a 60 boat limit. 50 www.twincitiesmuskiesinc.org Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM, Knights of Columbus, 1114 W79th St Bloomington, boats will be considered a full field; if we get to 60 boats we will MN, near the SE corner of the intersection of I-494 and I-35W. add 1500 to the prize money. We hope we can make it. Entry forms and complete rules can be found at www.titletownmuskies- We had great turnouts for our March and April General inc.org. Meetings. Joe Petersen from Truglide Lures brought out big Once again we will be teaming up with the Challenge the th crowds to hear how he approaches fishing and Dustin Carlson, Outdoors organization for two Green Bay fishing events. June 4 th who was recently on Next Bite TV wrangling with a bunch of is the walleye outing and the musky outing is slated for Sept 9 . Minnesota muskies up to 54 inches talked about how a bigger To volunteer or donate to these outings email: kevin@layina- one snapped his rod in two. Last year Dustin guided his uncle to lineguideservice.com. a 48.5 by 28.5 Tiger Muskie that may have been a world record. Get Bit! - Kevin R. Pischke A shout out to TC Chapter’s Vice President Eric Bakke and the great work he does with the University of Minnesota’s Women’s Hockey Team. Casting Coots and Double 10s for 16 hours a day Capital City will seem easy after the schedule he has been on during the run P.O. Box 8862, Madison, WI 53708 08 608-669-5046 – Gerard Hellenbrand to the National Championship. www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org Our members have worked a number of sports shows this Meets 2nd Monday at the 5100 Bar, 5100 Erling Ave., McFarland, WI. winter and did an outstanding job with our Sportsmen’s Banquet.

CHAPTER & NEWS VIEWS They help us build strong relationships with the general public as Hello from the Capital City Chapter of Muskies, Inc. CCMI is

◆ well as the muskie fishing public. We now turn our attention to our th veterans and youth with the Vet’s Home Fishing Opener and proud to be celebrating its 30 anniversary this year. It was early Armed Forces Family Fishing Celebration. Meanwhile, we are in 1983 that Bill Wood and others started the club with a handful preparing for the Frank Schneider and George Wahl Muskie tour- of members. Bill served as the club’s first president. We now naments. Between the two events, we provide a quality event for boast over 300 members and had to find a new place to meet last over 600 anglers. year to accommodate members at our monthly meetings. Thanks This summer is the 4th Annual Minnesota High School Muskie to the Board of Directors and all of our members for their continu- Tournament. Previous winners have been St. Anthony Village HS, ing leadership and support. Brainerd HS, and Little Falls HS. We continue to expand the num- Late winter and early spring are always very busy times for ber of Chapters from Minnesota involved in this and they expand the Capital City Chapter of Muskies, Inc. It is that period of time the numbers of youth involvement. Our State understands that we when most of our major activities and events are scheduled. On must actively involve youth, if there is to be a future for muskie Monday, February 11, 2013, CCMI held its annual Awards fishing. Ceremony meeting. Outstanding anglers were recognized for Respectfully submitted, Tom Keith both numbers of fish and size of fish caught in 2012. Congratulations to all of the contest winners. Steve Reinstra and Mike Winther did an outstanding job of coordinating the event. Steve presented a short program on the club’s 30 year history using an updated Titletown/Packerland brochure edited by Geoff Crandall. Mike provided a great pro- 3097 Inverness Lane gram on Release Contest winners. Thank you Mike, Steve, and 04 New Franken, WI 54229 Geoff! 920-866-9705 CCMI had a booth at the Madison Fishing Expo on February 22, 23, and 24th in Madison, Wisconsin and also at the Wisconsin Musky Expo on March 1, 2, and 3rd in Wausau, Wisconsin. It was CHAPTER & NEWS VIEWS It’s late March and winter still has a strong hold on us in Green fun to meet the many muskie anglers who stopped by our booths

◆ Bay. Thankfully the Fox River has been open since the first week of March and walleye fishing can help take away some of this to say hello and to share fishing stories. Thanks to Dan Reim for lingering winter sting everyone is feeling. coordinating our participation at the Madison Fishing Expo and to Our February guest speaker was Ashland area and Keyes Karen Phillips for coordinating our participation at the Wisconsin Outdoors guide Dave Brown. Kevin Pischke spoke at the March Musky Expo. th meeting, talking about fishing southern Wisconsin musky waters. The 12 Annual Intermediate and Advanced Muskie School, In April we will hold our yearly bait swap & cook out. Hayward coordinated by Geoff Crandall, was a great success. Geoff has th area guide Steve Genson will be giving a presentation at our May turned the school, held on March 16 at Waunakee High School meeting. in Waunakee, Wisconsin, into a very popular CCMI event. The Our annual fund raising / awards banquet was held Friday school had well over 200 attendees. Thanks to Geoff and his March 8th at the Stadium View Sports Bar. Thanks to some great team, Steve Reinstra and Duffy Kopf, for a job well done. And volunteers and the support of many generous sponsors this year’s thanks to all of the instructors, board members, and other club banquet was a great success. Thanks to everyone for their sup- members who volunteered their time and energy to help make the port. school a success. The 2012 ‘Fish of the Month’ results are as follows; April: Our first outing of the year, the Iowa Hawg Hunt, was held on th Kevin Pischke 41”, May: Jeremy Van Ert 41”, June: Ryan Theobald April 13 . This small, but fun event provides club members with 47”, July: George Owen 51”, Aug: Jack Smithwick and George an opportunity to wet a line, try out new equipment, and catch a Owen 52”, Sept: George Owen 51.5”, Oct : George Owen 53.5”, muskie before the season opens in Wisconsin. It was held at the Nov: Jeremy Van Ert 46”. George Owen also took the honors of Pheasant Creek Recreation Area about 15 miles northwest of Chapter 4 Big Fish of the Year with his 53.3” and also won our fall Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Thanks to Geoff Crandall and Greg Goltz for fishing league. coordinating the outing. The 2013 Best of the Best Tournament will be held September CCMI’s annual Fundraiser and Fishing Seminar was held on CHAPTER NEWS CHAPTER & NEWS VIEWS th 27th, 28th and 29th headquartered out of the Green Bay Yacht Saturday, April 20 . Mike Keyes, host of Keyes Outdoors TV, was

26 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 the featured speaker. Mike gave a great presentation. This event 2013 Tournament Schedule: CHAPTER NEWS & VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER is our official annual fundraiser, and participants were able to take Spring Mail-In April 13 – 14 Chair: Joyce Hinton, Mike Malone part in many raffles and silent auctions. It was a fun day and a Odie Cutlip Memorial, great way to get ready for the upcoming fishing season. Thanks Stonewall Jackson May 11 – 12 Chair: Darlene and Kevin Kelley to Dan Reim for once again doing an outstanding job of coordinat- Ohio Lakes, Salt Fork ing this event, and thanks to all of the volunteers who helped set and Piedmont June 8 – 9 Chair: Bernie Klug Family up, take down, sell tickets, and conduct raffles, and do all the Burnsville Lake Sept. 14 Chair: Jake Flint other things that need to be done to hold such a large event. Kanawha River Oct. 5 Chair: Nancy and Paul Amick The spring Madison Chain Outing, conducted by CCMI on Fall Mail-In Oct. 26–27 Chair: Debbie Bever local Madison lakes, is scheduled for Saturday, May 18. This is always a great way to get the new fishing season underway. A We need volunteers to work special events. These include traveling trophy and other prizes are awarded to anglers who the Wayne National Forest Fishing and Fun Day at Leith Run catch the biggest fish, and it is a great opportunity to meet other Campground on June 8, Jakes Day for Tygart Valley NWTF near club members and have a fun day on the water. Thanks to Karen Elkins on June 22, and our booth at the DNR National Hunting and Phillips for coordinating this event. Fishing Days Celebration at Stonewall Jackson State Park in CCMI is sponsoring a new tournament this year. If you have September. children, nephews, nieces, other relatives, or just friends 18 years Debbie Bever was elected to a two year term on the Executive old or younger, plan to have them take part in our first Wisconsin Committee, Charlie Carpenter and Danny Haddox were elected to Youth Muskie Championship on Lake Waubesa, in Madison, one year terms. Wisconsin. The tournament is scheduled for Saturday, June 15 Paul Amick, who will co-chair a tournament on the Kanawha and promises to be a great opportunity to get young people River this year, gave a presentation to familiarize members with involved in the sport of muskie fishing. Thanks to Mike Winther for this waterway. Most of us have never fished the Kanawha which his leadership in coordinating this event. More information on the is formed by the New and Gauley Rivers at Kanawha Falls and ◆

Madison Chain Outing, the Wisconsin Youth Muskie Championship, flows thru Charleston to Point Pleasant where it empties into the VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER and all of our meetings and events, is available on our website at Ohio River. The greater concentration of muskies is thought to be www.capitalcitymuskiesinc.org. in the shorter pools above Charleston toward Kanawha Falls. CCMI is sorry to report that long-time member and CCMI Showing a map of the river, Paul identified access points supporter, Bob Patterson, passed away on January 24, 2013 after which are plentiful between Charleston and Point Pleasant. He a long illness. Bob was the inventor of the 60” Musky Measure, a recommends those fishing below Kanawha Falls and the London floating 60” ruler readable in either direction, and the Grabb-it tool Pool use the ramp under the Montgomery Bridge. Since a DNR for removing hooks from caught fish. Bob contributed much to study of the Kanawha is contemplated, DNR may be present to our club, and he will be missed. Bob’s family has asked that con- tag any fish that we catch. We are supportive of such a project, tributions in his memory be made to Agrace Hospice, where he the results of which will be evaluated to determine the best way to was being treated, or to CCMI for the purpose of stocking finger- protect Kanawha River muskies. ling muskies. Paul said there is lots of bottom structure downstream from We hope you catch many big muskies this season. We look Kanawha Falls with depths ranging from quite shallow to as much forward to seeing you at our meetings and special events. as 50 feet. He cautions us to keep distances below locks and stay Lee Bartolini, President clear of barges. Jeff Hansbarger reported on the Elk River Native Musky Tagging and Tracking Project which concluded at the end of 2012. This project is modeled after the Scott Morrison Middle Island West Virginia Creek Project of a few years ago. After the fish were tagged, 1270 Federal Road • Little Hocking, OH 45742 09 740-667-3571 sexed and measured, a pelvic fin ray was clipped. The fish sam- http://westvirginiamuskiesinc.org pled on the Elk averaged larger than those found on other WV Meets: No definite schedule-call streams. However, they were not captured as quickly. They aver-

(Continued on page 28) ◆

Jim Moore, President, began our Annual VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER Meeting on the 35th Anniversary of Chapter 09 with a tribute to Chuck Braniff; a charter member who passed away in 2012. Jim read from minutes of a meeting in 1979 when Chuck Braniff and Jess McClung blocked an attempt to dissolve the chap- ter. Indeed, if it were not for Chuck Braniff, the WV Chapter of Muskies, Inc. might not exist today. Jim updated us on the effort to provide aera- tion to rearing ponds at the Palestine Hatchery. We have spent about $8,000 of the $10,000 grant from the Becker Foundation dedicated for the purpose. A couple more workdays should finish the job. Our effort spearheaded by Jim Moore to have Stonewall Jackson Lake designated a Trophy Muskie Fishery is successfully moving forward. This includes a minimum 52” size and a one fish daily limit. Support of the recommendation has been received by DNR staff and their Commissioners. It will now be presented at Regional Meetings throughout the state for public comment. We need to attend these meetings. www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013...MUSKIE 27 chapter news & views (Continued from page 27) sional Musky tournament fisherman and TV personality. At the Dick-Roadhouse. aged capturing 1.2 muskies per hour on the Elk compared to 2.7/ June 4 - Tuesday - 6:00 p.m. – Business Meeting, 7:00 - hr. on Middle Island, 4.9/hr. on the Buckhannon River and 6.5/hr. General Meeting - Guest speaker Kevin Bushnick, Muskies Inc. on the New River. The depth and current on the Elk may have Vice President of Youth Activities will talk about kids fishing. made electroshocking more difficult. Some fish tagged were Kevin organizes the Annual Moose Lake Kids Event; meeting homebodies while others moved considerable distances. One is at the Dick-sy Roadhouse. moved 62 miles and 4 others moved 50 miles or more. They July 21 - Fishing Outing and Picnic – Fish during the day if moved mostly in the Spring and Fall. More details can be found you like and meet at 5 p.m. at Mike and Deanna’s house for beer in a Feature Article in the Feb/Mar 2013 Musky Hunter Magazine. brats and fun provided by our club. Bring family, friend or pro- Jeff expressed appreciation to all those who assisted, espe- spective club members! RSVP Mike 715-634-4543 cially those anglers who reported their catches of tagged fish. August 4 - Sunday - 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Annual Kids Fishing This added a tremendous amount of data on movement and Day. Club members guide youngsters on Tiger Cat Flowage. growth which otherwise would not have been available. Shore lunch at noon with prizes for kids. All club members and Chris O’Bara reported on the Hatcheries and Stocking friends are encouraged to help as guides and cooks. Event to be Program. He distributed 2012 statistics. Unfortunately, it was not held at the Dick-sy Roadhouse. Fishing will be on Upper Twin and a good year for rearing muskies; power was knocked out for other nearby lakes. For more information call Mike Persson - 715- extended periods of time and very warm water temps negatively 634-4543. affected fish production. September 3 - Tuesday - 6:00 p.m. - Business Meeting - to Tiger muskies have not been stocked in WV for 5 or 6 years. prepare for tournament - 7:00 p.m. - General Meeting - with There is a moratorium on moving fish from Great Lake States from Wendy Williamson and Larry Mann from The Hayward Fly Fishing which tigers were previously received. True muskellunge are now Shop. They will do an “on the water demonstration “of fly fishing CHAPTER & NEWS VIEWS being put in some small impoundments that used to get tigers. for Muskies. Meeting is the Dick-sy Roadhouse. ◆ In 2012 we reported 970 fish registrations, more than in any October 4,5&6 - Friday, Saturday & Sunday - 36th Annual Fall prior year. John Cade won our Men’s Masters Division with 122 Tournament. Saturday night raffle, Sunday awards ceremony at releases for 1186 points. This is the most fish ever registered in a the Flat Creek Inn - Hwy. 27 – ½ mile south of Hayward. For more single year by a chapter member. Many of his fish came from information call Mike Persson - 715-634-4543 or visit our web- Lake St. Clair but he also caught good numbers from numerous site. local WV and OH waters. November 5 - Tuesday - 7:00 p.m. - General Meeting - with Bill Looney had a record breaking year on WV muskies which election of officers and LURE SWAP. Bring your old lures or extras earned him our Men’s Open and American Waters championships. to buy, sell, trade or other fishing miscellaneous items. Meet to be He released 106 muskies for 1232 points. held at Dow’s Corner Bar located on Hwy 77 East and Cty. Rd A Charlene Lemley with 13 fish for 125 points edged out Debbie - 13 miles east of Hayward. Bever to win our Women’s Division. Debbie released 12 fish for December - Annual Christmas Party - Date to be 122 points. Shelia McCord won our newly established Women’s announced. Masters Division. January 7 , 2014 - 7 p.m. - Business Meeting - To plan year Allison Klug again won our Junior Division with 32 releases for 2014 projects, activities and budget. All board members are 410 points. Her sister Lydia had a great year with 29 releases for asked to attend. All interested members are welcome. The meet- 306 points. Drew Clegg and Bailey Brewer both caught 8 musk- ing will be held at Dow’s Corners. ies. Cameron Ross and Abbie Crickard boated nice fish. . Interestingly, Abbie Crickard’s 39’ came from the same part of NOTE: For more information call Mike Persson - 715-634- Chautaqua Lake where her father Shane Eakle, a former Jr. 4543 or visit our club’s website www.muskiesinc-hayward.org. Division Champ, released his first muskie many years ago. Dick-sy Roadhouse is 11 miles East of Hayward on Highway 77 Our longest 2012 catch was a 54” by Charlie Carpenter from East. Lake St. Clair. Our longest WV Releases were both 52” by Troy Reminder: Register your muskie catches with Hayward CHAPTER & NEWS VIEWS Radcliff and Tim McCauley from Stonewall Jackson in April. Both Lakes Chapter of Muskies Inc. and be a part of the musky fishing ◆ were National LOM’s. spirit and a possible award winner! Register your release forms on Special thanks to Glenna and David Kaltenecker as well as line at the Muskies Inc. website (www.muskiesinc.org) or send Bill Parsons whose hard work and contributions made possible a paper forms to Hayward Lakes Muskies Inc. P. O. Box 609 delicious dinner, free of charge. Hayward, WI 54843. John Kaltenecker, Secretary Good Fishing, Mike Persson

Hayward Lakes P.O. Box 609 Quad County 13 Hayward, WI 54843 P.O. Box 185, Plano, IL 60545 715-634-4543 17 (815) 695-1494 – Dana Smith [email protected] • [email protected] Meets 2nd Thursday, 7:30pm. Plano American Legion The Hayward Lakes Chapter has planned most of its events for the coming year keeping with our usual schedule. One of our Hello Hawg Hunters! activities which has yet to be planned is our fishing outings that Well, the 2012 season has come and gone, and I think we’re take place every other Wednesday. We will plan these at our April all ready to be on the water again. Where are you going to catch meeting and post them on our website. We fish in the late after- the big one this year? noon and evening and then meet afterwards for food and drink. An In recent events, our two breakfasts have come and gone, event we’d like to call attention to is our kids fishing day, the first and both were quite successful this year. Between these fundrais- Sunday of August. We usually have room for more youngsters age ers and our upcoming guide auction, we should have good funds 10-16 and can always use more guides. Think about joining us! at our disposal this year. Our March meeting featured Chuck

CHAPTER NEWS CHAPTER & NEWS VIEWS May 7- Tuesday - 7:00 p.m. General Meeting with presenta- DiVito of Custom X Lures and Rods, based locally out of Yorkville. tion by Steve Genson who is a well-known local guide, profes-

28 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 Chuck talked about his baits, from design to finished product and Our January and February meetings were held without any donated one for the door prize. Custom X is a real up-and-comer weather cancellations. Along with discussing club business, VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER tackle company, making a beautiful (and effective) product and upcoming events and Musky School, Joe Flo of Joe Flo’s Musky offering custom painting for the same price as standard colors. Tackle & Guide Service was down from the Kahnawake Mohawk We look forward to working with Chuck in the future. Our Annual Territory to give club members a taste of fishing for muskies on the Seminar will feature Chad Cain. Chad also donated a guide trip Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers. Thank you for your time and a for auction. Our April speaker will be Mark Kornosky of Treble great talk Joe! Maker Charter Service on Lake St. Claire (MI side). Mark also Like most places, winter is show season here in New Jersey. donated a guide trip for our auction. Thanks to all! The club manned a table at the Garden State Outdoors Show in In upcoming events, the Pewaukee outing is coming up May Edison and the World Fishing and Outdoor Exposition in Rockland 4-5. Our hotel is the Country Pride Inn (262-646-3300), mention County, NY. We also recruited students at the Ramsey Cast and you are with the club and the discounted rate is $55 per night. Blast and the Jersey Boat Sale and Expo where our fearless This is a great event and we encourage all to attend so we can leader, President Cal Huntzinger, held a seminar about targeting bring back the trophy again this year! June 14th is our annual muskies. We are happy to report, that while we are still two meeting on the water at Shabonna Lake, with the outing with months away from Musky School, we have a full class and are no Midwest Musky Club and the Flatlanders Chapter the following longer accepting students. As always, the profits from Musky day from 6-12. As always, we will be grilling lunch after. June 29th School will be put into the baitfish fund to buy fathead minnows is the annual kid’s fishing day at Maple Lane Farms. This is a great for the fingerling muskies reared at the Hackettstown Hatchery. A opportunity to promote the sport, so we encourage everyone to special thank you to Jim Evers, Cal and everyone else who made volunteer. New for this year, we are sponsoring an IMTT event on this show season a huge success. Lake Evergreen, September 28 6:30-2:30. Entry fee is $50 per In the coming months, the club is looking forward to Musky man/$100 per team. This is a good time to fish that water, and the School on May 18th and our Spring Tournament on June 8th. We start time is set to catch the sunrise feeding window. Finally, our are always looking to have new speakers, new topics and new ◆ last event is the Lake Kinkaid outing, October 12-13. Contact Jim demonstrations at our chapter meetings. Anyone who would like VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER Frohlich with any other outing suggestions you may have. to help or has any inquiries can reply to: muskysquadron@hotmail. Good luck. Tyler Kennedy com. Respectively submitted: Calvin Huntzinger and Mark Modoski North Metro P.O. Box 41216 21 Plymouth, MN 55441 612-916-7426 • www.nmmuskies.com Meets 3rd Wednesday at Coon Rapid VFW 1919, Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Cleveland 5007 Starr St. • Newton Falls, OH 44444 Coon Rapids, MN 55433 from 7-9pm 23 330-219-7964 • [email protected] Meets 2nd Monday of each month, 7:30 PM The North Metro Chapter of Muskies Inc. meets every 3rd at RC Sports Lounge, 2422 South Canal St., Newton Falls, OH, except June-August when meetings are at the East Boat Ramp Pavilion in West Branch. Wednesday of the month, at 7pm. We meet at the Coon Rapids VFW, 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids MN. We hope you can make it to our meetings, everyone is welcome and it is We had a great time at our annual Awards and Fund Raiser open to the public! We are also working on bunch of our events Banquet. Our keynote speaker Phil Hillman provided some good such as our North Metro League, June Jam tournament, Rush information and the food was great as always. This year we Lake Challunge, June Picnic, North Metro Camping Trip and more! inducted three members into our Hall of Fame. They all have pro- Check out all of our events at www.nmmuskies.com. vided several years of outstanding contributions, support and If you want to be on the North Metro Muskies Mailing List to promotion of the club. The well-deserved individuals were John get our Monthly Newsletter, send an e-mail to Pikebob@charter. Rivera, Mike Clemente and Sherman Champlin. It’s been a really net and he will add you to the mailing list. rough winter this year and now is the time to get those boats and Thanks! Bob Anderson, [email protected] equipment ready for the season. Be sure to get those oil and lube ◆

jobs done as well as the tune-ups. And for heaven’s sake, don’t VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER forget to check the safety gear. We especially want everyone to New Jersey have an accident free and enjoyable season. 1524 Old Bethlehem Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951 (Continued on page 30) 22 908-319-2205 • http://www.mi22.com/

Chapter meetings are held monthly the last Tuesday of each month, September through May. Summer meetings will be held on the water. Check our web site for details. Can you help fill in the dates for these dissolved MI chapters? It’s time to start fishing for muskies in New Jersey. Seeing as we have limited, if any, natural reproduction here in the state, there Chapter # - Name Started Dissolved is no closed season for targeting them. The lakes have iced out, water temperatures are just beginning to rise and it’s only a matter 34-Tennessee ??? ??? of time before fish start making their way into the shallows. Aside from some early season fishing, the club has been very active in 36-South East Wisconsin 1982 ??? squaring away guides and recruiting students for Musky School. 40-Leech Lake, MN ??? 04-08-2005 One thing also worth noting is that after talking to Craig “aka Fishmaker” Lemon at the Hackettstown Hatchery, we learned that 43-Golden Wolf, WV 1990 ??? they had their best year ever for rearing muskies. In addition to assisting the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in their Please share the dates with Frank Walter at: stocking efforts, the state released 30,612 fingerlings and 10,789 advanced fingerlings to ensure the New Jersey musky population [email protected] or call 847-689-2133 will be strong for future generations to enjoy our sport. www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013.....MUSKIE 29 chapter news & views (Continued from page 29) On March 19th we were fortunate to have Eric Altena, Little Falls DNR Fisheries Manager, present us with a wealth of knowl- Our upcoming events for the next few months are: edge on local current stocking information and answered the Tom Bishop Sr. Memorial Tournament at West Branch, May questions many of us had. Thank you Eric and we hope to see you 18/19 again and volunteer some help. Cindy Dean Memorial Kids Derby at Lake Milton, June 1 (a free The annual Angler’s Dinner was held on April 19th at the Waite derby for kids to promote the sport of fishing) Park American Legion. There were lots of door prizes, raffle items Milton Tournament at Lake Milton, June 29/30. and silent auction items. Always a success! I’ll be providing the results of these events as they unfold. Upcoming events include: Big Brothers Big Sister’s Kids Until then, be safe and have a great season! Fishing Outings will be on May 4th 10am-1pm and June 9th at Dan Fisher 12-3pm at the Rock Island (Bernick’s) Pond in Waite Park. Also, Waite Park Family Fun Fest will be on June 9th The Chapter will complete its annual lake cleanups for this Shawnee Muskie Hunters spring after ice out and more details as to which lakes, meeting 923 Reiss Rd, O'Fallon, IL 62269 time etc. will be posted on the Chapter website www.stcloud- 28 618-628-4205 – Jerry Ford muskies.com. While you’re looking up the lake clean up dates, [email protected] please take the time to view the forums, photos, etc. The St Cloud www.shawneemuskiehunters.org Chapter also recently created a Facebook page so be sure to look us up and LIKE us. Check out our website (shawneemuskiehunters.org) for lots Here is to having a safe and wonderful 2013 season on the of good information. Thanks to Renee Johnson for taking over our water. Eric Poissant CHAPTER & NEWS VIEWS website and rebuilding it. I think you will like it. We only have about a month and a half left in our muskie fish- ◆ ing here in Southern Illinois before our water temperatures get above 80 degrees. Fishing has been pretty good with a normal Fox River Valley spring and the water level is finally normal after last year’s drought 1253 Cobblers Crossing, Elgin, IL 601230 39 847-741-9771 ­– Rich Gallagher that dropped it 4 feet. www.frvmuskie.com All of our activities that we have had this spring have been Meetings and banquets: Chandlers Chop House at the Schaumburg Golf Club, 401 well attended. I think our Iron Man Challenge was a big hit. N. Roselle Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60194. Dinner will be available starting at 6PM. Everyone had a good time and the food is always good. Shannon Beaty did a very good job in planning this event and I think it might FRV will have a busy couple of months before we head into be an annual event after the lake Clean up. the warm summer season. On Wednesday, May 8th, our guest May and June looks a little light when compared to the previ- speaker will be Kevin Stahl. Capt. Kevin guides with the multi- ous months. I think everyone will agree we need a little break from lake/multi-species/multi-guide RFRG Outdoors. The guide ser- the hectic schedule. The following is the list for the next two vice covers many lakes across Wisconsin, but Kevin’s specialty is months; for more information on any of these events, go to our the muskies swimming the waters of Green Bay and the Fox River. web site, the newsletter or call any of our officers: This has been a popular spot among our members and we have organized club outings in this area in the past. If you have a desire May 4-5: Spring Fling Tournament on Kinkaid. to get up in that area to fish… or you’re just trying to add more June 1: Kids Fishing Day on Lake Murphysboro. We have the farm tools to your repertoire, we’re looking forward to seeing you at the House rented for the volunteers. banquet room at the Schaumburg Golf Club for the May meeting Remember I’m in the other Lund, Walt Krause (which is our last until August). Chapter 39 would also like to invite everyone to participate in the Breast Cancer Awareness “Cast for a Cure” Outing – May 11th on the Fox Chain. The “headquarters” will be the parking lot of

CHAPTER & NEWS VIEWS St. Cloud 109 Greenstone Ln. • Waite Park, MN 56387 Musky Tales in Antioch (at the former Mentone’s location). Lunch ◆ 37 Bruce Kitowski - (320) 656-1160 www.stcloudmuskies.com provided by the club in the parking lot… but we will ask for a small Meets: 3rd Tues. 7:30 PM, American Legion Post 428, 17 2nd Ave. N, Waite Park, MN. registration/donation so that proceeds can go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to support breast cancer awareness and research. Visit our website for more details. I’m hoping everyone is enjoying this long winter. I’ve been The following Saturday (May 18), we’ll be conducting the hearing some success stories from out on the ice and have seen spring event of our annual Challunge on the Chain tournament. some nice muskie photos from some southern states recently. It This year we moved the date back 3 weeks to get past the spawn. sounds as if there are many of us preparing for the MN Muskie In similar fashion, the fall event of the series will be held on Opener, sharpening hooks, cleaning reels that have been collect- October 5th …moved up 3 weeks to get ahead of turnover. We’ve ing dust, etc. The MN Muskie Expo was held on April 5-7 and like received lots of feedback about our tournaments over the last few all the years past, many of the St Cloud Chapter members were years so we’ll be trying out some other changes to our format. there spending their extra hard earned money and enjoying the Some highlights include an increase in prize money (with the Big days. Fish pool entry included in the registration fee), a new tournament Our combined January/February Chapter meeting was a hit starting/launch point (a more central location on Bluff Lake), and a with or guest speaker being Gregg Thomas from Battle The Beast new venue for our headquarters at the end of the day. Past par- Guide Service. Once again Gregg went above and beyond the ticipants can also verify that we have lots of great raffle prizes as Chapters expectations and we all want to say thank you for your well, so if you don’t put enough fish in the net to end up in the top generosity. Gregg donated a full-guided day on the water chasing 10, you can still walk out a winner! If you didn’t receive a registra- muskies for our raffle. Chapter member and rod manufacture Paul tion flyer in the mail, please check out our website at frvmuskie. Amberg from Venture Custom Rods donated a one of a kind rod com or attend the May meeting to get information first-hand. also to be used as a special raffle item during Gregg’s seminar. Rounding out the rest of our primary activities through July; CHAPTER NEWS CHAPTER & NEWS VIEWS Please see Paul’s website for these incredible and unique rods at June 8 – Hoffman Estates Kids Fishing Derby (volunteers wel- www.venturecustomrods.com. 30 MUSKIE.....May / June 2013 come), June 13-15 - FRV youth outing on Moose Lake, and the had our annual lure auction, we’ve got some exciting new baits to Lake of The Woods club outing - July 13-20. Hopefully there’s auction off this year, let’s just hope that the bidding wars didn’t VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER something going on over the next few months to appeal to every- get as crazy as 2012, where one bait went for well, a lot (to the one! As always, please visit our website for dates and details for reporter of course)! We’ll have a chapter outing series again this all FRV events and activities. We hope you have a safe summer on summer, will have had the first of our two public landing cleanups the water and in the outdoors! by press time and have lots of other great stuff going on all sum- Mark Lamont mer and fall. If anyone is ever going to be in the area and wants any up to date tips or heck even a fishing partner give us a shout, we’ve always got good info and an open seat! Till next time, we Bemidji/Cass Lake hope that your gear, baits, boats are all in order, cause muskie 16256 Andrusia Rd NE • Cass Lake, MN 56633 time is NOW! 46 218-335-8597 Respectfully, Brian Johnson, Secretary http://www.muskiesinc.com/chapters/46/index.html

Winter, anyone else have enough of it this past season? As Webster Lake this is being written, northern MN is still heavily blanketed with P.O. Box 670 snow and we’ve had dumping after dumping of the white stuff 49 No. Webster, IN 46555 from the sky and a ton of cold temperatures to go along with it. 574-834-1669 The way it’s going, we’d not be surprised to have some heavy snowfall still in April, heck we’ll probably still be getting it in May! After some very early springs in recent years, this year it’s going to I’m not sure what was being watched more closely, the ice be a very slow one and a very late ice off. We can hope it doesn’t coming off the lakes or a certain chimney on the roof of the Sistine throw our muskie mojo off too badly, at least the cooler temps may Chapel. For the first time ever the Iceout Challunge may have had ◆ extend our early season open water trolling bite and help us to to be pushed back a week. By March 11th. the ice was coming off VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER avoid the excessively high water temps we had last summer but it was sure taking its time. With less than five days to go the (always a bummer when you need to shut down the fishing for decision was made to go as planned on March 16th. By Friday the multiple weeks). last of hard water lifted like the curtain of a Broadway theatre and The muskie show and banquet season have wrapped up, it was opening weekend. The cast was set. Three travelling troops they sure were a great way to break up this terrible winter. Chapter waited to take the stage, 24 members of WLMC #49 and 6 mem- 46 members made it to a lot of great venues to hang out with great bers each from both CMH #3 and MMI #47. When the final act muskie folks at the North Metro, Twin Cities, Brainerd, Lake was over it was the Chicago Musky Hunters taking the bows with Superior and Star of the North banquets. There was great food to Frank Loye squarely in the limelight. Frank’s fine 47” Musky was be had at all of them along with literally boatloads of prizes. plenty good enough to win 1st Place and secure the travelling Chapter 46 members took home a lot of great stuff at these trophy for his club. That was a nice way to start your season, events, rods, baits and some great guide trips from some of the Frank, oh and next year break a leg will ya. MC would like to thank most respected names in the industry. Attending these events is all who came and help make this outing one of our most popular a great way to show support for the other clubs in your area, even of the year. Special thanks to all who helped planning, cooking if it means driving all day, and when your buddies from hours away and setting the whole thing up, Renee Dolsen, Mellissa Bennett, see you show up, you know you’re doing something good from Kim Cates, John Dobry and John Rainford. the smiles you get back from them. (Continued on page 32) Our chapter tourna- ment is being held on June 15th this year, fishing 4 great lakes in the Bemidji area. This is our chapter’s largest fundraiser of the ◆ year. We’ve really been VIEWSNEWS& CHAPTER working on increasing participation and would love to get more people coming. We donate a scholarship to the Bemidji State University Aquatic Biology program and have a cool “chapter challenge” aspect to the tournament that only increases the amount of the scholarship each year. We’ll have many thousands of dol- lars in raffle prizes and guide trips at the tourna- ment awards, anyone who was there last year can tell you, if you spent a little $$, you almost certainly got that back and more in value. We’ll also have just www.muskiesinc.org May / June 2013.....MUSKIE 31 chapter news & views (Continued from page 31) Important Dates for 2013: May 2 – End date for the Online lure Auction – see mi50.com March 9th was our annual Lure Swap/Banquet/Awards night. forum for winners Our guest speaker for the evening was Matt Serbenski from Big May 19 - “Spring Fling” Tournament at Marsh Creek Lake. See Bear Product the maker of the Swim Whizz. Matt shared with us mi50.com for details some of Homer LeBlanc’s unique approaches to catching muskies June 9 - Musky School at Marsh Creek Lake. Contact Tom on lake St. Clair. He also brought along a stock of Swim Whizz Peacock at 610.636.2353 or by email at peacock2353@ baits that he felt would work well for us down here which were gmail.com offered to us at a special price. Thanks Matt for coming and for the June 30 - Kid’s Fishing Day at Nockamixon State Park. June lure blanks you left for next year’s Kid’s Lure Night. 30th 2013. All food, drinks, fishing equipment, bait and priz- MOFC awards were next with top honors going to Rick es are included with registration. You must pre-register for Swain, Nikki Swain and Colt Doslen. Rick took 1st. place in Men’s this event. To register, call Mike DiGuiseppe at 610.427.3499 division with Curt Lindsey 2nd and Todd Roberts 3rd. Nikki took Thank you for your support! 1st. place Women’s division and Colt won the Juniors division. No Archie Roche, Secretary winner of League Night was announced due to lack of participa- tion. We must try harder to make it out this year guys. The ‘MC would like to welcome the following members to our Mountain Muskies 2216 W. Rockwell, Spokane, WA 99205 club and hope to see you at future outings. Mike Sobczak from 60 509-263-7235 • Email: [email protected] Portage, In. James Caldwell from Chicago, Il. Shane Wallen from Website: www.mountainmuskies.com Warsaw, In. Steve Hiller from Mason, Oh. More new members next Meets every 4th Tuesday at 6:00 pm @ the VFW, 300 West Mission Ave., issue. Spokane, Wash.

CHAPTER & NEWS VIEWS Keepin it reel, Jim Welsh Finally, the ice is coming off the lakes the end of March and ◆ everyone is itching to chase those elusive Tigers again. It’s too early to catch their attention with lures but Pres. Doug tried yes- Penn Jersey terday to nail the first one by working around the ice floes trying to Chad Theesfeld, President tempt them; but to no avail. Yours truly is more patient by substi- 50 4 Shull Farm Rd., Erwinna, PA 18920 • 610-294-9399 E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.mi50.com tuting great pike fishing at the big river the past month until it’s Meets 1st Wed of every month. Visit our website: www.mi50.com for details. truly Tiger Time. We had a great chapter meeting the end of February with three times the usual number in attendance planning for the spring As I write this, it is the first day of Spring and muskies aren’t events. We raffled off a one year paid up membership as a door the only things preparing to get their groove on. Many of us have prize to encourage attendance. New member Brit Pettit was the been cooped up, relegated to watching muskies on the TV, spool- winner. Congrats Britt. Better bring that luck to the tournaments ing reels, and spending days at the tackle store looking for that also. Our planning centered on our booth at Spokane’s annual Big perfect something to help us catch these fish. Speaking of stores, Horn Show sporting event starting tomorrow, March 21, so you Cabela’s of Hamburg, PA offered our chapter a table in front of will have to wait 2 months for that news. We have a lot of exhibits their colossal aquariums during their annual Spring Great Outdoor prepared and hope to reach hundreds of fishermen with our nd rd Days event, which was held March 2 and 3 . For two days, muskie message. All members and guests in attendance at the members of the chapter got in front of the thousand people that meeting were enthusiastic and helpful with the planning and vol- entered that store…and talked muskies! Of course, helping to unteering to work the booth. Several were also ready to help at the capture the patron interest, were hundreds of advanced finger- youth day fishing event coming up in May. Thanks to all of you for lings staring back at them through the acrylic windows. People your help and especially the encouragement and enthusiasm. Big wanted to know what species they were, do they taste good, how thanks go to Don Grove for his tireless planning and construction do I catch one, what is Muskies Inc,, why are they here in this on the booth. It wouldn’t happen without Don’s expertise and CHAPTER & NEWS VIEWS store, and on and on. Two very proud days for our chapter, as we tireless commitment. And more thanks also to Karen Agnew for ◆ showed off the fruits of a cooperative effort between Muskies Inc, being the answer to our previous feeble attempts to keep our the State of Pennsylvania, and Cabela’s. These fish will be stocked website up to snuff. Great job Karen, thanks. Now the rest of us into our local waters very soon, and the process will start over need to get out there and catch some fish so Karen has something again with a new batch of younger, smaller fish. to keep up. And even more importantly—our western partners in In other news, we expect to have a presence at Captains New Mexico, Chapter 59, is just 2 Tigers ahead of us this year on Weekend at Cabela’s on 4/13 and 4/14. Tim Roth will be doing a the Lunge Log. Let’s close that gap, guys and gals!! So, ”we’re Seminar on Sat on River Fishing and Matt F. will be doing a semi- off to see the Tiger, the wonderful . . . ” nar on Sunday on Lake Fishing/Muskies 101 Chuck Gades, Secretary ☞ Proper Muskie Holding Techniques for MUSKIE Magazine Photos including Covers, Article Support, Photo Contest Entries

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