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An email from Capt. Larry Jones asking for some help from us about regulation changes that would effect the St. Lawrence season closing date. Here's what happening and we can help with submitting letters:

I need your help! I need you to send a letter to NYSDEC Region 6 Office c/o Steve Lapan,Great Lakes Fisheries Section,P.O. Box 292, Cape Vincent,NY 13618

The NYSDEC wants to set a Uniform closing date of either Nov 30th or Dec 15th for all the Great Lakes Waters of NY State,most big muskies show up in Decmber!
Here is what Larry Ramsell wrote to them:

Steve LePan, NY DEC 20 February 2013
Dear Mr. LePan:

In communicating with Capt. Larry Jones of Buffalo, NY, he related to me that you were working under the assumption that only 1 or 2 persons fish the St Lawrence River in December so a change to close the season, to please the NMA, to November 30th, across the Great Lakes, would not be a problem. I can only assume you are not a serious, die-hard muskellunge angler and have not cruised the Upper St. Lawrence River during the December part of the season to witness the ever increasing parade of muskie boats trolling these vast waters when weather permits. In fact for the first time this past December I even witnessed a couple of hardy souls casting on 40-acre shoal!

Mr. Jones also indicated that you had not heard from out of state fishermen that may travel here to fish in December and if you do you will consider this input as well. As one who has utilized the December part of the season on the Upper St. Lawrence River since it began, I believe that this extension has given an increasing number of serious muskie anglers a chance at fish that spend the entire season out in Lake Ontario.

I know many anglers from here in the Midwest as well as other parts of the U.S. who venture east to the St. Lawrence after the season closes here. Despite what some think, anglers here in the Midwest are very much aware of the many Giant and potential record class muskies that have been caught and publicized from the St. Lawrence River in the past half-dozen years and more and more of them are heading that way for the late season bite.

With the colder water temperatures of this late season, successful release of fish caught then is the easiest of the season, especially as compared to the summer. Properly handled, all speed away the instant they are set free. This post VHS population in the Upper St. Lawrence has proven themselves the hardiest of the hardy within the population and are growing at an unprecedented rate according to Muskellunge Researcher Dr. John Casselman. This knowledge excites muskie anglers and can only benefit both the muskie population and tourism, important at this time of the year to communities on both sides of the river.

Yes, the occasional caught fish dies, likely, according to Dr. Casselman, due to remaining VHS in their system, which removal of, can only benefit the remaining population. An occasional "accident" like the Ed Beer's fish, caught with Capt. Bob Walters happens, but with rare exception, these potential record class giants are being released. If these fish need more protection, it would be at the front end of the season when they have just finished spawning, not in the late fall when they are fat and robust! If you have valid reasons for the change back to the end of November, I would like to hear them.

I found it very interesting this past December that the water temperature on the Upper St. Lawrence during the first week of the month was 43 degrees. A few years back during that same week I found temps in the low 30's! Change indeed. Each fall the water temperatures have been warmer and warmer, delaying much of the muskie migration from Lake Ontario back into the river. If the season is moved back to November 30th, this part of the muskie population will never see an anglers lure. Moving the closure date back will prevent anglers a shot a the "fish-of-a-lifetime"!

Please consider my “vote” as one for leaving the December 15 closing date as is.

Muskie regards,
Larry Ramsell,
Muskellunge Historian & Author &
Past President of Muskies, Inc. International
9407 N. Highline Road
Hayward, Wisconsin 54843
Ph.: 715-634-9882

Thanks, Capt. Larry D. Jones
NY M.I. Chapter 69 Reg. Rep.