Tagged Pike

[shamalex72]

We were out there tuesday and and caught two pike, they both had tags on them. Is this common? I have never caught a tagged fish before.

[rookie44]

ive caught a couple in the past couple weeks olso.both around 30 inches.

[MLmusky]

DNR conducted a large northern pike survey in the spring this year.. I am sure this is why you are seeing tagged northerns..I would assume you would handle the northern tag the same way you would a tagged walleye.. Record the length, girth and where and what caught the northern and sned the info to the local DNR post along with the tag.. I believe the DNR will reply with a letter about information about where the northern was captured and how big it was...

[shamalex72]

Are the tags meant to be pulled out, or is it if you only keep the fish. We just let them go with the tags still in. Thought about writing down the numbers off the tag, but they are so small and hard to read.

[wareagle]

If you catch a tagged northern pike or walleye, please DO NOT remove the tag unless you keep the fish.

Sometimes the tag is hard to read and it can have a film of algae growing on it. Gently scrap the algae away with your fingernail to read the tag number.

Record the tag number, length, date caught, location on the lake where the fish was caught and call the Aitkin Area Fisheries office (218-927-3751) to report the tag number. They will ask you for the information that you recorded as well as they will ask whether you kept or released the fish. Generally, we (MN-DNR) will send you a letter with information on the tagged fish such as: when it was tagged; where it was tagged; and how long it was at the time of tagging. We can then use this data to examine growth rates, angler exploitation and to a lesser degree fish movement.

So, please record the tag numbers and report the information. It is important to us and is your way of being involved with the project.

Thanks,

War Eagle!!!

[AWH]

You can also email the information in. I don't remember the address, but it's on their website. I've sent in tag information on about a half dozen pike and one walleye on Mille Lacs. You can get some pretty interesting info back.

Aaron

[shamalex72]

Thanks, If I happen to catch any more I will send the info in.

[SFBOY]

the information from the DNR is kind of cool. my dad caught a 26 inch male walleye in sturgeon bay three years ago that was tagged. the dnr had tagged that fish 9 years earlier about two miles away. at that time the fish was 25.5 inches long. they estimated the fish to be between 14 and 16 years old. i guess the males dont usually get very large and dont grow too much on the backside of their life span.