WRMA - Beyond The Records

There’s more to the World Record Muskie Alliance than you may be aware of…
It is clear that the focus of muskie fishing surrounds the pursuit of unusually large individual members of the species. Therefore, it is our belief that the task of determining the maximum growth potential of these trophy class fish to be of paramount importance to the overall well-being of the sport.

In the words of noted muskellunge researcher John M. Casselman:

“What has become apparent from the samples that come in to the Cleithrum Project, mainly from taxidermists, is that the definition of trophy varies widely. It constitutes a personal standard based on fishing success, experience, personal preference, and value judgment. But most importantly, it also depends upon water body, productivity, growth potential, and possibly genetics. The concern is that only a limited number of water bodies can produce world-record individuals”

- Muskie magazine, October, 2005

The WRMA mission statement includes a pledge to, “(4) promote and maintain trophy muskellunge fisheries throughout the species’ native range by supporting ongoing scientific efforts to determine optimal species reintroduction strategies.”

For this reason, the World Record Muskie Alliance is proud to support Muskies Canada’s Lake Simcoe Restoration project, and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Steve Bedarf and all of the MCI members who played an active part in getting this groundbreaking conservation effort off the ground.

Once the world record debate is reasonably resolved, the WRMA looks to redirect its efforts to worthy muskellunge conservation efforts throughout the U.S. and Canada. Until then, the WRMA would like the membership of Muskies Canada to know that we will continue to actively solicit support for the Lake Simcoe Restoration as membership donations allow.

Adopt-a- Muskie Program

“Thank you gentlemen for your donation and being part of a legacy. Your generosity is most welcome. The donation will be put to good use. I follow the good advise of my father who told me…”we don’t know who we are, until we see what we can do.” I will do my damnest to make this happen.”

-Steve Bedarf

(The following reprinted by permission of Lake Simcoe Restoration Project)

Adopt-a-Muskie and became an integral part of Muskies Canada’s educational and conservation effort to restore the Muskellunge fishery in Lake Simcoe. Historically an important part of this lake’s fish community, it has been significantly reduced due to commercial fishing, poaching, habitat destruction and environmental degradation. This restoration project seeks to re-establish a self-sustaining population of muskellunge to the lake in the hopes of re-opening an important sport fishery.

For as little $20.00, you can make a difference.

What does $20.00 pay for:

Muskellunge egg collection from surrounding water bodies.Transportation, infrastructure, feeding, supervision in the rearing of the Muskellunge. The stocking of one 8-10 inch fall fingerling.

By sponsoring a Muskie, it will allow the project to purchase one fall fingerling and will take us one step closer to our objective.

Remember - You are a legacy - your donation will help insure the success of the Lake Simcoe Muskellunge Restoration Project.

Sponsorship details:

All sponsors will be noted in the MCI journal and given proper credit for each donation. Donations can be mailed to:

Lake Simcoe Muskellunge Restoration Project
C/O Steve Bedarf
361 Fairlawn Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M5M 1T5

Cheques are preferred and should be made payable to Muskies Canada Inc. and send to the above noted address.

If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact the following:

Steve Bedarf, Project Manager – Lake Simcoe Muskellunge Restoration Project

(B) (416) 842-8458, (H) (416) 789-1181, or stevebedarf@sympatico.ca

Jason Borwick, Biologist, Ministry of Natural Resources, Aurora District(B) (905) 713-7404 or jason.borwick@mnr.gov.on.ca