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More On : Is Stocking Muskies Such a Good Idea
By: Steven James Rusteberg

Recently my character has been attacked. I have been accused of being an animal rights activist, a radical environmentalist, and an anti-muskie promoter. I write this to get my voice out. I am none of the above. I believe in the right to hunt, bear arms, and fish…most of all MUSKIE FISH! My view on “research before stocking” may not be a popular one only because many people are not educated on the dangers of introducing a new species (or strain) of fish into a fragile ecosystem. I think my views on research over stocking would be supported if, Gil Hamm ,our organizations founder was still alive. Remember that stocking by your DNR will always take place as long as an organization such as ours is in existence. We need to influence that level of government to make educated decisions (based only on scientific fact) on each of our local bodies of water.

As a member of Muskies Inc., we must remember that our organization was founded on principals outlined in every cover, of every magazine. My I remind our readers that one of our primary goals of M.I. is to : “ PROMOTE A HIGH QUALITY MUSKELLUNGE SPORT FISHERY.” Notice there is no mention in this statement of a “HIGH QUANTITY” Muskie fishery. If we just stock fish and are unknowing of what these fish are doing in (or to) that ecosystem we have become irresponsible (as a member) to our organization. We now have established a Muskie fishery in North America. It is now our duty to manage that fishery better than we have in the past. New data on biology, habitat, growth, strain, DNA, and genetics is becoming available to us about our sport fish. Without playing “God”, we must sort this data and become educated not only as scientists, biologists, and ecologists, but also as a Muskie Fisherman and a member of Muskies Inc..
One of the other fundamental principals of Muskies Inc. is to: “PROMOTE MUSKELLUNGE RESEARCH.” It is time to step forward and promote this principal. The Milwaukee Chapter has been the primary supporter of this principal in my area of the U.S.. They have funded and supported a massive Muskellunge study on Pewaukee Lake in Wisconsin. I respect and admire this chapter for it’s effort. Our founder Mr. Hamm would be so proud! More chapters have to get projects like this one off the ground. We Can Do It, Only United As An Organization! Research is the key to ensure the future generations with a healthy fishery. Some Muskie may die at the expense of research. This is not a bad thing! What we learn from these fish will ensure the future of the species.
I have had may biologists and scientists try to cut the idea of the “Perfect Muskie World” off at it’s knees. The bottom line is we need to know more! There will never be “A Perfect Muskie World”, but waiting for something (ecologically) to go wrong is no longer acceptable in today’s day and age. Claming to have not enough manpower and resources is a poor excuse for not getting organizations such as ours involved. You need money, you say? Let our organization lobby for that money. You need help in the field? Let our organization and it’s membership help you in the field! We may not be scientists, but you can teach us. We are all rooting for the success of the fishery, and all after the same goal. We may not be as large as the “Bass fishing community” but our hours on the water show that we are a determined bunch of “mutts.”
Let me finish my soap box speech with one last Gil Hamm principal : “ TO SUPPORT SELECTED CONSERVATION PRACTICES BASED ON SCIENTIFIC MERIT AND CARRIED OUT BY AUTHORIZED FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES” Note: the mention of “scientific merit” in that statement. Mr. Hamm didn’t not say “scientific guess work” or “biologist hypothesis” or even “with what we think to be fact…” Without things such as accurate population estimates we are simply “scientifically guessing.” Without understanding genetic engineering we are mixing gene pools. There will be negative DNA repercussions. Without studding reproduction in each individual ecosystem we can be doing harm.
I am a dedicated Muskie Fisherman, and damn proud of what this organization has done over the last 14 years of my membership. I will not support the theory “if it doesn’t appear broke... don’t fix it”. I do support “It may be breaking... let’s study it.”