Poaching and Merwin

[edw]

The poaching at Merwin is going very strong. Two different boats working the lake today. The Sheriff in the boats had no idea since no one from the fish and game has bothered to tell them! Merwin will be wiped clean this Summer as soon as the poachers get what they left behind last year. I challenged one boat and got a picture although I cant get it to download. See it on muskie fishin site on Washington fishing

[The Quadfather]

What do you mean that the sheriff who was present in a boat, "Had no idea, since know one from WDFW was able to tell them?"
I'm just asking for clarification. So are people targeting and keeping muskie beyond regulations? and did you give the on hand sheriff a heads up? What was the result? I would think that your pointing out poaching would be as good as any WDFW contacting the local on water sheriff, etc.
Good job with trying to report that stuff. I don't even fish muskie, but that (blank) just ticks me off.

[Natebg1]

Hey EDW,

Glad to see that someone is keeping an eye on things out on Merwin. Unfortunately with the state of where the WDFW is at I think it is going to come down to us anglers to protect our own fisheries. I am not sure what you could have done other than inform the Sheriffs that were on the water that day. Sometimes all we can do is try and educate, and get people to understand the significance of having the Tiger Muskie in the lakes within Washington. I have come to find when talking about Tiger Muskie to people who have no idea about them they get a new perspective once I help them understand how they make fisheries better, especially with regards to landlocked Salmon. That seems to be a winning combination and usually starts a great conversation about how to protect the fisheries within Washington! Tight Lines and good luck with hopefully stopping further destruction of Tiger Muskie fishing on Merwin and any other lake as well!

Nate

[edw]

Natebg1, Education!!! That's what these assholes have most-a working knowledge of Muskies and their habits. These poachers dont care abot anything except selling fish. If you want, I will drive you in my boat up to these guys and do a video of you teaching them about Muskies....that would be great.

Quad father, I had talked to the Sheriffs in their boat before I discovered the poachers. The Sheriffs were gone by then. I was asking the Sheriffs if they knew of the problem from last year.

[muskyhunter]

Ed, Hey..how are you 1st off? Getting any fish?
Was one of the boats white with the red stripe? Remember we reported those guys last year. Talked directly to the regional manager in that area and they are well aware of these douchebags. They are out of the PDX area. I've got photos of them in scuba gear. They had a spear gun but didnt get the photo of that. Did you actually see them pull muskies out of the water? Thats a big photo if you have one or had seen them doing that. I wouldnt doubt that the sherriff wouldnt know its a state patrol jursdiction now remember Nate that if you call them they are supposed come out for those types of violations. Nate, if you're still in M.I. wouldnt they be the folks you call to help with these types of issues? I told both 57 and CMA about this last year have they pursued this since last year? Just wondering is all.Theres a guy that fishes Merwin all the time from 57 maybe ask Pete if he's seen them and get their info too? Ed you know what you can do if you see those guys out there again..Just hit the lower unit okay. Also put a comment in NWSportsman thats regional and they hate poachers just as much as the rest of us do..At this point its not about education like Ed said those guys are killing and selling or they are eating the fish themselves. Its TIME to STOP these guys period. Thers crap phone coverage their but once you get off the water call the freeking State Patrol!
The koke fishers can help too. Lotsa those folks out there if you koke guys/girls see em' report em'! CMA has a reward for poachers and muskies its a few extra bucks in your pocket for more gear if they get arrested and convicted of poaching these magnificent fish! Pretty simple kids! see ya I'm going fishing..see ya

[muskyhunter]

I cannot believe none of the fellow musky fishermen have anything to say about this. Amazing! I bet if there were a raffle involved folks would be going nuts over this! C'mon....

[kevinb]

Maybe a Merwin field trip armed with cameras/video.It wouldn't suffice but it would be a starting point.

[dougw]

I wish Merwin was closer muskyhunter. I would make sure my camera and cell phone were handy and go looking for those @shholes..... Haven't had the pleasure of fishing Merwin yet, but by the sounds of it if someone doesn't get a handle on that situation, there won't be a lot of big fish left there....

[Mark K]

I know a lot of people that fish that side of the mountains and are involved with the Muskie clubs at least read this page if not post on it. I am very curious if anything is being done to try and protect the fishery there. It took 8-10 years to grow those fish to where they are now and may only take a month or so to destroy it. I would expect a lot more outrage that some idiots, from out of state no less, are destroying one of only three Muskie lakes you have over there. From what I hear its arguably the best lake on the westside? Its too bad

[muskyhunter]

Doug and Mark,
Bring your big ol' butts over the hill and I've got a couple seats open whenever you wanna fish Merwin. Anytime! An open invite... from one ol' Wiscony boy to another thats musky with a "y" . More than one is an 'ie" and an s..
I hoped to stir the pot a whole lot. This topic should be huge. For all the money that is donated..that yes I was a part of..for a couple of speargunners to wipe out these fish is unbearable. For the record..there is an ongoing investigation. So don't feel as though nothing is being done. Behind the scenes folks are working on it. And the musky community needs to get on board with Ed and get out there and fish Merwin! "Save the Merwin Muskies" Where the heck is Don? Must be flying the Tuffy again..? See ya on the water. Todd

[jd39]

Hey Natebg1,
Where could i read up on the benefits of tigermuskie in washington lakes/fisheries? I'll do some googling but that doesn't always produce the best resouces. Just curious by nature and don't know anything about it. Hope you all are succesful getting those poachers off the water!

[Natebg1]

Hey JD39,

I have only been fishing for Tigers in Washington State for about 3 years now, so in that regards I will give you some very insightful people to research who know much more than I do about the Amazing Tiger. The first person would have to be Jack Tipping who was the man responsible for getting authorization to introduce the First Tigers at Mayfield Lake near Mossyrock, Washington. The second person who I hold in very High regards and is from my home lake area of Hayward, Wisconsin is Pete Mania who is a professional Musky Angler and is always eager to speak and educate others on the amazing Musky Family! Here is his website http://www.petemaina.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I would also suggest getting in touch with Muskies Inc Chapter 60 Doug Wood (President of Muskies Inc Ch.60 Eastern Washington) and Jani and Perry of Chapter 57 (Western Washington) for more details and information about Tiger Muskies. They can certainly provide many further in depth details about the Washington Tiger Muskie Fisheries and educate further on the benefits of this amazing fish!

Now in regards to just giving you some basic information on the Tiger Musky, they are a sterile fish, meaning they can be populated into a lake and the numbers of fish can be controlled. They were introduced in Washington to help take care of trash fish that were harming the Salmon populations within certain lakes. Over time these Tigers have been able to help the growth of many different fisheries within Washington State and help in regulating the trash fish populations. Currently Merwin, Mayfield and Tapps are the 3 lakes within Western Washington and Curlew, Silver, Newman, and Evergreen Reservoir are the 4 lakes in Eastern Washington that have Tigers! Tight Lines, hopefully I have helped with answering some questions on this fish. If you ever want to get out and fish for some Tigers just send me a PM or just hit me up on this Forum. I have plenty of room in my boat and you certainly don't have to twist my arm to take a Tiger Musky fishing trip! Have a good one!

Nate

[Don Wittenberger]

Nate, fyi, Pete Maina's uncle owns property at Campers Hideaway on Lake Merwin and fishes there frequently. The rest of you -- yes, something is being done, but don't expect to read about it on the internet, because poachers can read, too. In the meantime, not mentioning any names but you know who you are, don't even think about taking the law into your own hands, and don't post any vigilante nonsense on the internet even if it's just ventilating, because if you do and something happens you're the first person(s) the police will come looking for. Sheesh. Why do I have to explain this?

[muskyhunter]

Go to you tube and punch in 'spear gunning tiger muskies' and look at what comes up. WAAAAy back 2 years ago when we 1st saw the spear gunners at Merwin they were in a white boat with red trim under the gunnel. The boat looks really familiar. And the 2 dudes were big dudes with blonde hair. Just check it out. Plus at the end the location is unknown. Could be in Utah, Colorado or New Mexico? ? Brandon Carter is the guy who produced the video..just reminding everyone that it is illegal to spear gun in freshwater here in Washington. And just keeping this thread up near the top to raise awareness. And to report these goons if you see them here..

#'s to call 1.877 933.9847

360. 902. 2936

or text at 847411
Thanks

[Idstud]

I found that video under "spearfishing freshwater tiger muskie" There are other videos that they have posted in the Utah area such as lagoon trip so not positive but interesting the lake has no name. Im not familiar with that area and dont fish for muskie but poaching is poaching and we all need to care. Good luck!