Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="MuskyManiac" data-source="post: 60313" data-attributes="member: 381">This is getting super ridiculous on Pelican Lake and could set a very bad precedent if these wackos are somehow successful. This is more about some lakeshore owners thinking it's "their" lake. Again, another case of the vocal minority getting way too much pull in America these days.The Great Pelican Lake Muskie War has gone to court.And it has reached the point of silliness, with anti-muskie residents of Pelican Lake saying some residents have avoided swimming in the lake for fear of being bitten by a muskie. It also says some people are considering selling their property if the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources continues to stock muskies.The Pelican Lake Property Owners Association has filed a lawsuit asking for a preliminary injunction to stop the DNR from stocking muskellunge in the lake.Pelican Lake is located north of Pelican Rapids. The DNR has stocked the fish in the lake for nearly 40 years, making it a popular destination for anglers to pursue the big predator fish. An adult muskie can reach more than 50 inches in length in some Minnesota lakes, according to the DNR.But residents and cabin owners around the lake began to push back in September, saying muskies had damaged the walleye population in the lake. Three other Otter Tail County lakes are also being considered for muskie stocking: Lizzie, Loon and Franklin. Property owners on those lakes are also opposed to stocking.The lawsuit was filed in Otter Tail County District Court Oct. 13, citing “damage to the natural ecosystem of the lake, muskellunge predation on non-introduced species, and the risk to recreational lake users.”The DNR submitted a response earlier this week, refuting most the allegations. Court documents say walleye and yellow perch populations have been trending upward in Pelican Lake since 1978, when muskie stocking began. While bluegill numbers have declined in that span, the average size of bluegills has increased. Black crappie and tulibee numbers have remained steady.A DNR spokesman said the department doesn’t comment on ongoing litigation.A call to the lawyer for the Pelican Lake Property Owners Association, Tami Norgard of Fargo’s Vogel Law Firm, was not returned.The association also filed a request for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet to be completed for Pelican Lake, which was denied.The lawsuit alleges muskies have bitten swimmers without warning and that the DNR’s plans to continue stocking has caused some residents to avoid using the lake for recreation due to fear of muskies.The DNR’s decision has caused some residents to consider selling their property on the lake, the suit alleges.“The Department has ignored public input from residents and lake users on the muskellunge stocking issue,” court documents say.The DNR responded by saying, “… the reports of Muskellunge bites generally across the state are statistically insignificant.”The next hearing in the lawsuit is scheduled for Nov. 20.</blockquote>

Verification: What is the most common fish caught on this site?

Reply to thread

Recent Posts

Friends of NDA