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Otisco Lake 50" Tiger Muskie

old man
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justtracytrolling

justtracytrolling

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I've seen hundreds of tigers out of Otisco and even caught a bunch close to that size, but that's a truly remarkable beast.  Just look at the head!  It's awesome to see a fish reach this level of maturity in a small lake!   This is exactly why we need to do our best at minimizing stress and handling  when releasing fish...they absolutely can reach amazing size if we give them the opportunity.  Seeing a fish like this should make us realize how silly a bump board measurement really is on most of the fish we catch... obviously tournaments are a different matter, but for the most part let's just get em back in the water where we have the absolute best chance at a safe release if we really want fish of this caliber!  By no means am I saying a person can't keep a legal fish for whatever reason they choose, but if we are releasing them let's release em the best we can and always try to get better!

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rougarou

rougarou

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5 hours ago, justtracytrolling said:

I've seen hundreds of tigers out of Otisco and even caught a bunch close to that size, but that's a truly remarkable beast.  Just look at the head!  It's awesome to see a fish reach this level of maturity in a small lake!   This is exactly why we need to do our best at minimizing stress and handling  when releasing fish...they absolutely can reach amazing size if we give them the opportunity.  Seeing a fish like this should make us realize how silly a bump board measurement really is on most of the fish we catch... obviously tournaments are a different matter, but for the most part let's just get em back in the water where we have the absolute best chance at a safe release if we really want fish of this caliber!  By no means am I saying a person can't keep a legal fish for whatever reason they choose, but if we are releasing them let's release em the best we can and always try to get better!

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justtracytrolling

justtracytrolling

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2 hours ago, Sk8man said:

Sweet! Guess I wouldn't want to be swimming in there with a shiny bracelet or watch :lol:

I had a pretty decent one swimming on top that bumped into me while I was floating/swimming this summer.  Tracy saw it, thought it was a floater and hollered to me to turn around and when I did I was about face to face as it bumped my "raft".  Didn't bother either of us and we both went on about our day, but I often think I have it coming!  Ive certainly had them go after me big time in a net, and bobcat here on the forum had one lunge up at latch on his bicep I believe.

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old man

old man

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Perhaps the 36” minimum is paying off there? A 36” tiger has been around a bit and seen a lot of baits. Probably been caught. The minimum should be at least 36” everywhere if not higher. Everyone who targets these fish releases them anyway so they won’t care. Could save some fish from the pan.


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justtracytrolling

justtracytrolling

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The 36" has definitely made a difference.  There without a doubt are plenty of fish kept for a variety of reasons.  I see it all season long.  We can't however control that, and attempting to dictate what a person does with his or her legal catch isnt right.  We can control our own actions though and set the example for the next generation.  For anyone that has any interest in catching a fish like this you have to realize that there is a mortality rate with fish that are released.  Therefore any extra handling, or lack of good handling on fish that arent the fish you would love to catch is counterproductive to your own cause.  There certainly are situations that are favorable to more handling but there are other situations I wouldn't consider handling the fish.  We just have to consider our own practices and hope others do too eventually....and a fish like this is proof conservation efforts make a difference.  I definitely think the signage the muskies Inc clubs had made have helped make people give handling some thought.  The clubs efforts have to be helping and I'm thankful for their efforts and ask everyone just to think about handling just a little if you intend to release your catch.

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