Consumption Vs. Trophy Fishing Can They Coexist?

Researchers try to answer if trophy musky fisheries can be developed where harvest occurs

- Jordan Weeks

Disclaimer — The intent of this article is to summarize the results of a published research study regarding the effects of angling and tribal harvest on trophy muskellunge in Wisconsin. The intent is to disseminate facts. The article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the agency for which I work.

As I write this, I can’t help but think of the many conversations I have had, and will continue to have, regarding harvest of muskellunge. These conversations seem to rear their ugly heads during the winter when anglers long for open water and convene in large groups to “fix” everything that is wrong with the sport. Most of the “answers” revolve around size limits and spearing (tribal and darkhouse). While size limits have been trending up almost everywhere muskies live, spearing seems to anger anglers like nothing else.

Let me make this clear. The Chippewa tribes have the right to spear. That is Not up for debate. The question is: what impact does it have on trophy potential of muskellunge in Wisconsin? Furthermore, when you add angling and hooking mortality, is there any real chance to grow trophy muskies? Given the fact that nearly 100 percent of muskellunge anglers want to catch more and bigger fish, the ramifications of these findings are important.

My former graduate professor, Mike Hansen, and his student, Matthew Faust, used data generated in Wisconsin to determine whether a consumption-oriented fishery was compatible with a trophy-oriented fishery for muskies in Wisconsin. First some background data. Angler harvest of muskellunge is governed by minimum length Limits (MLL). These MLL vary across the country. For the purpose of this study, MLL of 40, 45, and 50 inches were used.