Ivan

I agree Steve/Muskiedreams I just thought it was a cool and unusual fish that you don't see very often around here and it's obvious by the views and replies that other people agree. I did ask my friend if he minded if I posted it, but maybe that wasn't the best decision...we'll see. To be honest, I wasn't sure if the fish was protected or endangered anyway, but I am confident it was released without harm. By the numbers of small paddlefish I saw several years ago at Chautauqua, I expect these incidental/accidental catches to happen more there, depending on their survival rates. I'm surprised it actually took this long for someone I know to catch one.

I'll be curious to see if you are right Gambler. Not my fish/catch, and I asked my buddy if he would mind if I posted the picture on this site before doing so. I'll be shocked if the DEC tracks him down and writes him a ticket. Like I said above, my friend has already discussed the catch with a NY DEC biologist. I guess if they want to fine him for photographing that fish, they won't have any difficulty tracking him down. I'll let you know if anything happens. When you say it happens every year are you referring to muskies being photographed out of season or paddlefish being photographed? I guess there is really no difference, but I haven't seen the photos you are referring to. I guess I remember a big muskie being photographed by a couple bass fisherman in the spring on Lake O somewhere around the St Lawrence last year or the year before. That was probably out of season.

Panfisher...I've caught a couple gar in Chautauqua. I got one as recently as two weeks ago while muskie fishing. The gar like DeWittville Bay for some reason. Nevermind...I see now you said Alligator Gar. I've never seen or caught one of those.

Thanks for the insight Nitro. I figured somebody may bring that up. I'm not so sure I totally agree though. I read the regulations after your post and see that you are not supposed to "target" or "possess" endangered species like paddlefish and sturgeon in NY. If you read under their definitions section, catch and release is defined as : Catch and release means catching and immediately releasing the caught fish without harm. Measuring, weighing and photographing of the fish are permitted as long as the fish is not removed from the water for an extended period or handled in a manner that could cause it harm. Fish may not be placed in a bucket, tub, livewell, on a string or any other holding device. Catch and release angling is only permitted during the open season for a particular fish species. Catch and release angling during the closed season, or for endangered or threatened fish species is prohibited My friend was not targeting paddlefish. He snagged one trolling for muskies. IMO if you have an incidental or accidental catch (which is outside your control) you have already broken the law the way it is written. Catch and release angling for endangered species is prohibited, but what are you supposed to do if you accidently catch one? You wouldn't want to cut you line and leave a 9in muskie bait stuck in the fish. IMO, my buddy did nothing different than I would have...probably most anglers. He netted the fish, unhooked it, took a couple pics and released it. Also, my friend has since been in touch with a NY state biologist that stocks paddlefish and he was excited to hear from him. The biologist discussed when the fish may have been stocked, how fast it grew, etc, and was glad to have a picture of the fish. What should he have done Nitro? What would you have done? According to the way the regulations are written, as soon as that fish was accidently hooked, the law was broken because catch and release is not even legal for paddlefish. Even if you got that fish to the boat, realized it was a pddlefish, unhooked it without removing it from the water, you were still catch and release fishing for a paddlefish, which is illegal. I think the DEC might want to re-look at the way their law is written. Or, perhaps there are more regulations around this that I missed. Nothing personal either Nitro. I'm am somewhat interested on what's legal here, although it doesn't seem like there is a "right" answer to me.

Here's a closer shot.

I remember seeing a bunch of these swimming on the surface at chq several years back. I knew somebody would snag one eventually. My buddy Ed sent me this pic today of a paddlefish he snagged in the bill with a perchbait in the north end today. Cool fish!

I didn't think you were bashing Bogas Old Man. I think you made a good point about making sure they are used correctly. I don't have much experience with pike. Maybe their jaws aren't as strong as muskies but if used properly, I don't think a Boga should be harmful to pike either.

A Boga Grip is a great tool...if used properly. I have two in my boat and use them all the time. I use them to hold the fish in the net while I unhook them. I also use them to take the fish from the net to my bump board, but I always support the weight of the fish with my free hand. I also use them to hold the fish in the water for release rather than trying to grip a slippery tail and have the fish slip from your grasp before it is ready to swim off. If you catch and handle a bunch of muskies, you run the risk of cuts, getting hooked, broken bones, infections, etc. Trust me...I've had them all. A Boga Grip can be a good tool to reduce these risks and is still safe for the fish if used properly. The key is to not let the fish hang from the Boga and support it's weight. The proper use of a Boga is really no different than making sure other steps in the release process are done properly.

Great fish everybody. Good to see all clean, healthy looking chq muskies. Last month i took a hunting buddy to chq. He usually fishes with me once a year. I always put a bunch of pressure on myself to produce when he is with me because muskie fishing can be trying for a casual fisherman. I was feeling ok because we had caught several for the weekend. Then a half hour before we were going to leave, i trolled him over his biggest to date.

Nice fish Lunker. I think I saw you guys out there. Do you have a black Lund with a Honda tiller? I was in the blue Lund Baron with roof and curtains up trolling all weekend. Got drenched Saturday from checking lines and fighting fish even with the roof and curtains. We had a fantastic numbers weekend, but didn't get any quite as big as the 46 you got. The fish were definitely on fire last weekend.

Here is a picture of my friends canal on Chautauqua Lake from last week. Nasty smelling blue/ green algae. It's a yearly problem at Chautauqua.

Pics of the three best kings so far. Slowed since this morning. 8 for 10 now. 1 brown, 1 steelhead, rest kings. Mt dew, white w/green dots, 42nd flashers. Mirage, kryptonite, 42nd flies. Couple on spoons. Carbon 14 and green gator. Good luck

On the water. Slow now but a good morning. 5 for 7 so far. 27 to 28 line. Temp about 90 down. Mostly flashers and flies. 18, 23, and 26lbers boated so far. Lost a screamer also. Searching now... Spot dried up a bit.

Try this site. Lots of nice boats similar to what you are looking for but most of them are midwest. A couple decent Lund 18' Tyees on there now. One with downriggers and a nice Honda kicker. Some nice glass multi species boats too. http://www.walleyecentral.com/classified/searchresults I have owned a Crestliner and a Lund. No comparison really. If you are fishing big water like Lake Ontario and want an aluminum boat, I would get a Lund, Starcraft, or an Alumacraft.

Mike, I'm in the Three Rivers Chapter. You can send some info to me and I can get it to our board members. Ohio wise, Muskie Guy has a very active message board. Larry usually posts there about the tourney. I think that everybody that would fish it is familiar with the tourney though. It's been going on long enough for most people to know. The trouble for me personally is the date. That is a popular time for LSC. Adam Andresky