Kevin Vam Dan

I completely agree with you, Muskie Bob. As I stated in an earlier post, this is the first I'd heard of that being handicap only. I don't mean to be insensitive, but why is it handicap only??? There is nothing special about the cove in terms of accessibility. It is no different than numerous other places to fish around the lake. And there is a handicap accessible dock on one end. And as many times as I have fished the lake, I can't say I have ever seen a "handicap" person fishing in the cove. I guess it just frustrating with all the restrictions that are already in place at Fellows. Heck, a good chunk of the lake is already blocked off from fishing for Lord only knows what reason. And Butthead, I see your point about continuing to fish out of the cove. I think I tend to empathize more with Richline just because of past experiences with the marina owner. And from reading this post, it seems most other posters have the same sentiments toward him. It goes to show that he is the problem.

Hey Butthead, I understand your sarcasm, but I think these other guys are right on. I have fished at Fellows for years. I know the cove the original poster is talking about, but I had no idea, until this thread, that it was a handicap only fishing cove. I know the buoys too. They are very near no wake buoys and could easily be mistaken if you didn't pay attention. As for the marina owner, he is a complete...well...butt head. The guy is a first class jerk. I haven't been there yet this year, but I will dread my first (and every) encounter with him. If you're not listening to him berate or belittle someone, you are listening to him tell one B.S. story after another. He makes me sick. Especially the way he treats people. I'm surprised anybody patronizes his marina. As for the lady that works out there...that I believe is his wife...she is as nice as can be. Kevin

will.isaac, I have read several musky predation surveys that have been conducted in the northern states (I think an Illinois study was the closest to our fisheries). In all of the those studies, it was found that muskies primarily feed on non-gamefish species. Will they eat crappie, bluegill, bass, etc? Of course. But they are not solely feeding on those species, like so many people seem to believe. I have never seen a study that has been conducted in our waters, but I would bet the house that shad are the "evil" muskies primary forage. I haven't been out in a while, but I highly doubt the lake has turned. This seems to have been a very tough year for most people I talk to (especially the people in my boat, me included). I wish I knew why they have been so fickle this year. Kevin

MOhawghunter, I can agree...to each their own when it comes to fish they want to catch. I think the difference with musky fisherman is we have to hear the same old nonsense (the muskies have eaten everything in the darn lake) from all the uninformed fisherman. I am a multi-species fisherman...have a bass boat, bass gear, crappie gear, etc. I never hear anyone complaining about bass eating crappie, which they surely do. It is always the misperception that muskies are destroying fisheries. And it's simply not true. I think the true musky anglers are just trying to educate both the non-musky community, and the weekend warrior musky fisherman that might be lacking in knowledge as well. Some people just take it the wrong way. I appreciate pruett's posts on here. I have never met him, but it seems as if he truly cares and is just trying to educate. I sense no malice whatsoever. Kevin

I love the topic of muskies decimating the lake. I'm surprised there are ANY fish left in the lake! One day at the dock there was a guy going off about the muskies eating all the crappie. There was another guy at the dock that responded by telling him that he ate a lot more crappie than the muskies ever could. How true that statement was. Nearly every musky survey indicates that muskies primarily predate on non-gamefish species. Up north the primary forage is ciscoes, tullibees, and whitefish. I have never seen a study conducted in Missouri, but I would be willing to bet money that muskies are mainly predating on shad, carp, and suckers. The one thing I know for sure...is that they have not been feeding on anything I have been throwing.

Muskie Bob, I often wondered where the magic number of 80 came from too. And then a couple years ago I saw a piece by the musky guru, Rob Kimm. He said his research showed that when the water reached 78 degrees, musky mortality really started to rise. And it got worse with each degree higher. I guess 80 was decided on because it was a nice round number. Mr. Kimm says he quits fishing for muskies when the water hits that 78 mark. KVD

pruett417, Thanks for the update. As I stated in my previous post, a lot of the education needs to be directed at not just the casual fisherman, but the marina owners/workers. If you look closely at your picture, the gentlemen holding the fish has a MDC hat on. He works for the marina and the MDC...yet he is still posing by the bragging (killing) board. I would be willing to wager money that fish did not survive...it might have swam off, but with water temps as high as they have been and then not only the catch/fight/unhooking process...that fish was transported all the way back to the marina for a "bragging" photo...highly doubt it made it. The people at the marina often encourage people to bring back their muskies so they can get pictures in front of the trophy board. These fish are dying after all the hoopla (think back to Larry Rafferty's giant). I always make sure the camera is ready before that fish every comes out of the net/water. A few quick photos and maybe a measurement and then the fish is back in the drink. Fellows has proven it can grow the largest muskies this state has seen. We need to be on the cutting edge of musky conservation. Just look at the states up north and what has happened to their musky populations. MN has gone to a 48" length limit, with talk of expanding it to 54"! And look at the world class fish that state produces. Same with MI, WI, and Canada. All are moving forward and realizing how these fish need to be protected (Ontario already has a 54" length limit on most musky waters). Hopefully the MDC will listen and help out (bump those lenght limits way the heck up!!!). And I'm all for restrictions on musky fishing during the warm water period, but I highly doubt that will occur. Keep preaching it pruett! KVD

pruett, I love your posts and education is really what is needed. I wish the MDC would put some educational signs at the launch and public fishing areas. They also need to give some educational resources to the marina owners. I have had several head scratching conversations with Paul about his beliefs in catch and keep. All you have to do is look at the photo stream they have at the marina. They promote draining the lake of its trophy population. Keep posting. Hopefully there will be a few that take your knowledge to heart. KVD

Oneshot, How do you cook them? And is the meat any good??? I have heard they have a million bones and are tough to fillet. KVD

Jason, I am definitely with you on the size of the fish. I consider myself an avid northern and musky fisherman (only 30 days left for the annual two week trip up north) and there is no way that fish is 54 inches. I would be surprised if it was a 44 inch fish. I by no means post this to take away from the fish. It is a great fish and I would take it any day. But it is not 54 inches and not anywhere close to 40 lbs. KVD