The wind picked up, temps dropped, rain fell and registration for the Inaugural George Wahl Memorial Muskie Tournament picked up

In the end over 200 contestants registered, went out and challenge their skills on 12 lakes across the metro.
With over $5000 in cash prizes at stake the contestant...[more]
Share your love for the pursuit of muskies with a fellow outdoors men on Lake Independence at the Baker Park Reserve.
Our annual outing with physically challenged members of Capable Partners will take place June 14 from 6:30 am to “shore lunch” time.
15 volunteers with boats will be needed. About one-half of participants will need space for wheelchairs, but any size boat can be matched with one of the Capable Partners.
You don’t have to be a Lake Independence whiz to participate. Organizer Paul Hartman will gladly go over lure selection and the “hot spots” with anyone. You don’t have to have a boat to join in. A “shore lunch” will end the event and help is needed for that as well.
And if you show up, someone with a boat might invite you to continue fishing in the afternoon. Please call Paul Hartman at 763-786-6031 if you can bring your boat of you want to help with the lunch.

The Twin Cities Chapter is working with the Minnesota DNR to do some research on the metro fishery. With money from the Hugh C Becker foundation combined with our chapters fundraising efforts, we have purchased fish that the DNR has tagged for the study.
Currently we have stocked 183 yearlings for Bald Eagle (DNR supplied 400 fingerlings as well), 291 12"-15" fingerlings for White Bear and 35 yearlings for Minnetonka. (see the floy tags in the two pictures)
We are in the process of obtaining more fish for this study but our suppliers have been less reliable then we had hoped for in combination with an early freeze-up.
This is a project that will take a few years to complete. Each fish has been tagged with a floy tag (yellow external) and a pit tag (internal RF). Each of the floy tags has a number on it and when that fish is caught the data can be entered into the database on the DNR's web site. We are hoping to obtain data in the areas of which size of fish survives better and in what ratio.
We also want to get some population estimates as well as get some look at the effects of angler mortality. In the upcoming years we will be reintroducing the angler diary program to further assist in the information gathering process.
Stay tuned for further details.

A big thanks goes out to those that have put forth their support in getting this lake approved and stocked. Some of those people include:

Grand Prize winner Aaron Templin and his fishing partner, Joseph Anderson picked up their newly won vehicles from Lupient Buick/Pontiac/GMC in Golden Valley. Out of 112 contestants to caught a 40" muskie in this years tournament Aaron's name was drawn for the grand prize.

One hundred fifty-six (156) muskies were caught and released by 112 contestants in the 41st Annual Frank Schneider, Jr. Memorial Muskie Tournament, themed Muskie Mania 2008. [more...]
The Department of Natural Resources recently announced the finalization and adoption of its Long Range Plan for Muskellunge and Large Northern Pike through 2020. The plan sets the stage for working with stakeholders to improve angling opportunities in Minnesota.
Managing recreational fisheries is an evolving and dynamic process, based on
the best available science, and public perceptions and desires. Finding the right
balance among public interests is part of that challenge. While the plan lays out
some broad goals and directions, there is much work yet to do, including continued
monitoring and evaluation of our fisheries, communicating with interested stakeholders,
and seeking public input for future management actions. As the DNR
moves ahead to implement the strategies and actions in long range plan, they are
firmly committed to involve the public in the decision making process.
With the plan complete, the DNR decided to move ahead with the proposal to stock muskellunge in Pokegama Lake but not Gull Lake; they will instead look for other opportunities in the Brainerd area. It is anticipated that stocking will take place in Pokegama this fall. While both lakes have the physical and biological characteristics to support a “trophy” muskellunge fishery, there was significant strong public opposition to the Gull Lake proposal.
Terry Nordby from Motor Clinic will discuss everything you ever wanted to know about trolling motors.
Dos and don’ts, tips for care, getting the most out of yours.
A sale/auction of lures with proceeds going to Tom and Jeri Glander to help with medical expenses after Tom’s stroke was scheduled for our December meeting.
Due to the weather-related low attendance it was re-scheduled for the January meeting.
Come ready to add to your muskie arsenal. There will be lots of stuff.