ARROWHEAD CHAPTER 48 MEMBERS ONLY CONTEST RULES 2008
1. All State, Provincial, and Local fishing regulations must be followed in order to register a fish
(in season, etc). Some states or provinces may restrict boating a fish that is intended for release.
Always check with state, provincial and local regulations.
2. Each entrant must be a member in good standing of Muskies, Inc. prior to catching the fish
(membership dues must be current).
3. The entry form must be completed for each fish being registered for the contest. Forms are
available off the Muskies, Inc. website or from the contest chair (Bruce Black, 10622 King Road,
Orr MN. 55771 218-757-3729, Arrowheadchapter@yahoo.com . Muskie entries sent into the contest are
recorded exactly as they are entered.
4. All entries must be mailed to the chapter contest chair (Bruce Black) or entered in the lunge
log and postmarked or enetered in the Lunge Log within 30 days of the catch.
5. The fish measurement policy which has been adopted by Muskies, Inc. will be our
measurement policy as well. It is as follows:
LENGTH MEASUREMENT
A). The estimation of a muskie’s length without some mechanical measuring device is NOT
accepted. The very experienced angler who thinks he/she can guess a muskies’ length while in
the water is simply doing that, guessing.
B) The measuring of a muskie still in the water is not an exact science. However, Muskies, Inc.
does accept as part of catch and release the measurement of a fish while in the water (keeping in
mind the previous paragraph).
C) The most accurate measurement of length for a muskie is done when the muskie is
brought into the boat and laid flat on a PROPER surface. A PROPER surface is plastic or vinyl–
the carpet in a typical boat is one of the worst surfaces to lay a muskie on.
The best measurement device is one in which the protective surface also contains the
measurement device. The most accurate measurement is when the measurement device is on a
flat surface with the muskie laid on top of it. Line up the farthest tip of the jaw with zero and
then measure the farthest tip of the tail. You may compress the tail so that the tips come together
to determine the longest point of any section of the tail. This form of measurement is a common
practice by nearly all of the Department of Natural Resources throughout the country (they use
this method during creel census and for law enforcement issues).
The use of a soft tape (one for measuring girth) should NOT be used for the length measurement
as it follows the contour of the muskie and will give a false increased measurement of the true
overall measurement.
GIRTH MEASUREMENT
When you catch a large muskie, it is of interest to you and all of Muskies, Inc. to determine the
girth so that an estimation of weight may be determined. A soft tape or flexible tape is the best
thing to use to determine a fish’s girth.
A) To measure the girth with integrity, one should make multiple measurements to locate the
largest and most accurate measurement of the fish. Studies show that most muskie anglers are so
excited that they do not take the time to find the longest measurement.
B) Pull the soft tape firm but do not compress the body in any manner.
C) The typical weight formula is: Length X Girth X Girth divided by 800
***There are a number of individuals and experts who state this formula is short and not
accurate for the usually larger Fall muskies. This is correct. However, this formula
that Muskies, Inc. uses is one that represents most of the muskies thoughout the
season. It is and will continue to be the one that Muskies, Inc., uses as printed on
the web site for estimation of large muskies.
Muskies, Inc. Picture Policy
When photographing your catch, it is required that the released muskie be held in a horizontal
position on, in, or in close proximity of the water. Members should always take care during
taking pictures to limit the time the fish is out of the water. Particularly in the summer with
higher water temps, the safety of the muskie becomes more important than multiple pictures and
the typical member gets the best photo available under the circumstances and returns the muskie
to the water ASAP.
The photo MUST show the angler who caught the muskie. Another person may hold the muskie,
in the case of small children or members physically unable to hold the fish. In this case that
person must also be identified.
***If entering photos for the Muskie magazine or for the website, a reminder that the fish should
be held horizontally as stated above, taken in close proximity to the water and if someone other
than the person that caught the fish is holding it, they must be identified. No Polaroid pictures
allowed for submission to the magazine or website and do not write on the back of the picture
with pencil or pen (write the information on a post it note and attached to the back of the
picture.)
Awards
There shall be four (4) award divisions for the longest muskie caught and one (1) award division
for the calculated weight based on the formula (Length x Girth x Girth / 800). All fish entered
must be released. Each division shall have a minimum length for a muskie to be entered into the
contest. Award Plaque's shall be presented for the following divisions:
1. Men's Division - 48 inch minimum.
2. Women's Division - 45 inch minimum.
3. Boy's Jr Division - 40 inch minimum.
4. Girl's Jr Division - 40 inch minimum.
5. Chapter Calculated Weight Division. 48 inch minimum.
In case of a tie the winner will be decided by a coin toss.
NOTE: All fish released in the Arrowhead Chapter Contest will require a photo AND a
witness in order to win the division.
Members who enter fish into the contest and wish to receive an Annual Certificate or Individual
Certificates will need to mark the appropriate boxes on the release forms.
Muskie’s, Inc. has a patch for all released fish as well as a special patch for those fish 50” or
greater with a white star that represents a 50” release. All patches will be issued by the release
chairman upon request or by marking the appropriate boxes on the release form.
The Arrowhead Chapter Contest Committee will review all entries for their validity and their
decisions will be final. At its discretion, the committee may require additional documentation
consisting of a photograph and/or a second witness before an entry is accepted.
1. All State, Provincial, and Local fishing regulations must be followed in order to register a fish
(in season, etc). Some states or provinces may restrict boating a fish that is intended for release.
Always check with state, provincial and local regulations.
2. Each entrant must be a member in good standing of Muskies, Inc. prior to catching the fish
(membership dues must be current).
3. The entry form must be completed for each fish being registered for the contest. Forms are
available off the Muskies, Inc. website or from the contest chair (Bruce Black, 10622 King Road,
Orr MN. 55771 218-757-3729, Arrowheadchapter@yahoo.com . Muskie entries sent into the contest are
recorded exactly as they are entered.
4. All entries must be mailed to the chapter contest chair (Bruce Black) or entered in the lunge
log and postmarked or enetered in the Lunge Log within 30 days of the catch.
5. The fish measurement policy which has been adopted by Muskies, Inc. will be our
measurement policy as well. It is as follows:
LENGTH MEASUREMENT
A). The estimation of a muskie’s length without some mechanical measuring device is NOT
accepted. The very experienced angler who thinks he/she can guess a muskies’ length while in
the water is simply doing that, guessing.
B) The measuring of a muskie still in the water is not an exact science. However, Muskies, Inc.
does accept as part of catch and release the measurement of a fish while in the water (keeping in
mind the previous paragraph).
C) The most accurate measurement of length for a muskie is done when the muskie is
brought into the boat and laid flat on a PROPER surface. A PROPER surface is plastic or vinyl–
the carpet in a typical boat is one of the worst surfaces to lay a muskie on.
The best measurement device is one in which the protective surface also contains the
measurement device. The most accurate measurement is when the measurement device is on a
flat surface with the muskie laid on top of it. Line up the farthest tip of the jaw with zero and
then measure the farthest tip of the tail. You may compress the tail so that the tips come together
to determine the longest point of any section of the tail. This form of measurement is a common
practice by nearly all of the Department of Natural Resources throughout the country (they use
this method during creel census and for law enforcement issues).
The use of a soft tape (one for measuring girth) should NOT be used for the length measurement
as it follows the contour of the muskie and will give a false increased measurement of the true
overall measurement.
GIRTH MEASUREMENT
When you catch a large muskie, it is of interest to you and all of Muskies, Inc. to determine the
girth so that an estimation of weight may be determined. A soft tape or flexible tape is the best
thing to use to determine a fish’s girth.
A) To measure the girth with integrity, one should make multiple measurements to locate the
largest and most accurate measurement of the fish. Studies show that most muskie anglers are so
excited that they do not take the time to find the longest measurement.
B) Pull the soft tape firm but do not compress the body in any manner.
C) The typical weight formula is: Length X Girth X Girth divided by 800
***There are a number of individuals and experts who state this formula is short and not
accurate for the usually larger Fall muskies. This is correct. However, this formula
that Muskies, Inc. uses is one that represents most of the muskies thoughout the
season. It is and will continue to be the one that Muskies, Inc., uses as printed on
the web site for estimation of large muskies.
Muskies, Inc. Picture Policy
When photographing your catch, it is required that the released muskie be held in a horizontal
position on, in, or in close proximity of the water. Members should always take care during
taking pictures to limit the time the fish is out of the water. Particularly in the summer with
higher water temps, the safety of the muskie becomes more important than multiple pictures and
the typical member gets the best photo available under the circumstances and returns the muskie
to the water ASAP.
The photo MUST show the angler who caught the muskie. Another person may hold the muskie,
in the case of small children or members physically unable to hold the fish. In this case that
person must also be identified.
***If entering photos for the Muskie magazine or for the website, a reminder that the fish should
be held horizontally as stated above, taken in close proximity to the water and if someone other
than the person that caught the fish is holding it, they must be identified. No Polaroid pictures
allowed for submission to the magazine or website and do not write on the back of the picture
with pencil or pen (write the information on a post it note and attached to the back of the
picture.)
Awards
There shall be four (4) award divisions for the longest muskie caught and one (1) award division
for the calculated weight based on the formula (Length x Girth x Girth / 800). All fish entered
must be released. Each division shall have a minimum length for a muskie to be entered into the
contest. Award Plaque's shall be presented for the following divisions:
1. Men's Division - 48 inch minimum.
2. Women's Division - 45 inch minimum.
3. Boy's Jr Division - 40 inch minimum.
4. Girl's Jr Division - 40 inch minimum.
5. Chapter Calculated Weight Division. 48 inch minimum.
In case of a tie the winner will be decided by a coin toss.
NOTE: All fish released in the Arrowhead Chapter Contest will require a photo AND a
witness in order to win the division.
Members who enter fish into the contest and wish to receive an Annual Certificate or Individual
Certificates will need to mark the appropriate boxes on the release forms.
Muskie’s, Inc. has a patch for all released fish as well as a special patch for those fish 50” or
greater with a white star that represents a 50” release. All patches will be issued by the release
chairman upon request or by marking the appropriate boxes on the release form.
The Arrowhead Chapter Contest Committee will review all entries for their validity and their
decisions will be final. At its discretion, the committee may require additional documentation
consisting of a photograph and/or a second witness before an entry is accepted.
Melody Swenson 54x25 Previous winners Bruce Black 54 x 24
Jim Roerig 2005 Winner 52.5 x 28.5
Dave Swenson 2007 Winner 54 X 26
WHO'S NEXT
IN 2008
Arrowhead Chapter #48
Lake Vemilion
Members only Contest
Paul Pollock 2006 Unofficial Winner 54x ?
