I have to say I was cringing reading the post about doing away with C&R. For the past twenty to twenty-five years, muskie anglers have progressed from "catch and keep" to "catch and release" anglers. This great trend has done wonders to enhance north america's muskie fisheries. In the "old days" the average size of kept muskies was in the 34 inch range. Now due to catch and release, the average size here in the Northern areas is pushing or exceeding 40 inches! (I don't have any stats on local tigers). The "good ol' days" are NOW! Not only has the average size of our muskies increased greatly, there are more "trophy" sized muskies available and being caught by anglers. As Tigers continue to grow and thrive there will be more trophies and even legal size fish available. Most anglers don't turn back a trophy fish (if they do...they're crazy!!), and probably most Tiger fisherman don't put back the legal ones. That may change as they get bigger, but...I guess I don't understand the difference or the rationale between releasing a fish you catch for sport or releasing a fish you accidentally catch, because it's not the species you meant to hook.
In general, I don't really think you can go wrong if you're a responsible angler. There's nothing wrong with catching a fish to eat, as long as you're going to eat it and not waste it. There's also nothing wrong with catching fish for sport. And there's certainly nothing wrong with RESPONSIBILY returning a fish to their natural habitat if you do it properly. If there was no C&R, there ultimately would be no fish; at least for many species. That's not to say that there won't be dead fish that turn up. That's the natural order of things, some creatures will die so that others can live. I can't imagine any responsible angler returning a mamed or bleeding fish to the water, even if they are alive, but under regulation. It's called using your common sense!!!
I was "involved" with the C&R programs in the early days. Gil & my dad were rebels in those days, but they believed in the ideal of developing strong fisheries and the philosophies that have continued to thrive through Muskies Inc and other organized Muskie groups. Since an active effort towards C&R started over 20 years ago and it's still going strong today; something is working. I truly believe if Muskie anglers didn't subscribe to this basic tenet, many of the Muskie habitats would be devoid of quality fish and water environments would be weakened.
To each his own; but it might be interesting if we step outside our box and consider other perspectives now and again.
C&R Supporter!
PAD
