moving Pike discussions to new Sub-forum of the Muskie Forum

[Fish-N-Fool]

I would much rather see Pike in it's own forum and not on add on to the Musky forum. Pike deserve just as much recognition as Trout, Bass, or Muskies. Go Pikey GO

[Amx]

Amx, the one really BIG difference between the Tiger Muskie and the Pike is that the Tiger Muskies are Sterile:bounce: and that is why they are being used by the WDFW as a tool to help manage the pike minnows and other junk fish in our lakes. They will die out in approximately 7-10 years if they are not restocked in a lake. Those of us that fish for Tigers know the difference when reading the forum but other people that drop in on the Tiger Muskie forum don't always know and can get confused when the discussions are all lumped together. I think having them seperated with a sub-forum for Pike will help. Thanks Mike!

Yes, I do know that the TIGER Muskie are sterile, and the MUSKIE aren't sterile. But if ANY Muskie is placed next to any Pike, lots of non Muskie/Pike people would say they are the same fish, or maybe the Pike is a baby Muskie. I myself can't remember which fish has which markings.

But after reading this thread I find that there are problems between Pike and Muskie people that I had no idea were there. So I'm thinking Pike deserve their own forum.

[YJ Guide Service]

I would personally like to thank Mike for making a sub-forum for the Pike. I know that Chpt 57 and Chpt 60 are sponsors of the forum but we don't police it nor do we have anything to say about the contents of these forums. I would also like to say my statements come from a fisherman who loves to fish and have nothing to do with a club association. I dont think that the Pike are riding on the coat tails of any clubs. I know that chapter 60 has not spent any money supporting this cause, it has been supported by fisherman and women who love to fish for Pike and Muskie. We also need to remember that Pike are a game fish according to WDFW and WAC 232-12-019, and game fish are to be protected. The Pike are in the same classification as the Bull Trout if you look up the WAC. People seem to forget that the Tiger is a Esox and the Pike is a Esox and should be in the same classification since they are both Esox. Is a triploid (sterile) Tiger Trout still considered a Trout even though its a hybrid, or is it considered a diffrent type of fish? An Esox is an Esox no matter what type they are. I have been hearing alot about the Pike being a non native species to Montana, but after a little research it shows they are native to the eastside of the state. So it seems obvious that they would make their way from Montana. It is plausable that Pike have not been introduced to our river by bucket biologist.
I hope that by supporting one fishery, we will not jeopardize another fishery. This would feel like we were being strong-armed. I don't remember anything stating that when I signed up to support Tiger Muskies, I would no longer be able to support another fishery. I have seen this type of talk in the last few weeks and I for one don't want to see anything happen to our Muskie program, but again. The Tiger Muskie program and Pike on the Pend Oreille should not be tied together. We need to remember the Pike fishery is the Pike fishery and the Muskie fishery is the Muskie fishery so don't confuse the two even though they are in the same fish catagory. I am glad to see that WDFW is having meetings and are posting there intentions of the upcoming meetings in many newsprints. I haven't seen a lot of difference in the news releases so it seems to me to be a blanket news release to everyone so the public knows whats going on. Thank you WDFW for keeping us informed.
As far as the Pike getting into other waters I for one don't want to see them anywhere but where they are right now in the Pend Oreille River. I know at some point the public and WDFW will be able to compromise and come up with a plan that both reduces numbers and protects the trophy size fish which seems to be what most of the public would like to see. I think, they should keep incouraging people to keep the 28" (and below) fish and return the bigger fish.
Just my opinion as a fisherman

[bad esox]

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[YJ Guide Service]

I think i need to clarify something from my earlier post and that is i'm not saying that i feel like Muskies Inc is strong arming us i feel like when i hear people say we need to stay quiet and not speak about Pike cause it might affect the Tiger program thats what I'm talking about. In no way should Muskies Inc be held responsible for anything that we are saying. Also i want people to understand Muskies Inc should not be affiliated with anything that has to do with the Pike they are two totally diffrent subjects. I also want everyone to know i support all my fellow MI members no matter what their opinions are as i hope they also respect mine. I support Muskies 100 percent and i support the Pike 100 percent. Sorry if anyone thought i was saying anything different and if anyone has any questions where i stand on either topic please dont hesitate to call me my number is on the bottom of the post.

[Mark K]

I actually really like the new sub-forum thing Mike. Thanks for finding that compromise.

[sparky1doug]

I have a must read for those interested in Pike issues. I'll post it on our sub topic.