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“Catch the Cousin” VIRTUAL Northern Pike

Ice Fishing Contest & Ice Clean-Up

A Conservation Project hosted by the North Metro Chapter of Muskie’s Inc.

*NMMI Members-Only*

*Logo Created by Ted Mitshulis

December 9, 2022 – February 26, 2023

Welcome to the 2022 Third Annual “Catch the Cousin” conservation contest, brought to you by the North Metro Chapter of Muskie’s Inc. (Chapter 21)! To keep the party going all year long, we are hosting this contest to highlight a muskie relative – the Northern Pike – and to emphasize the importance of fisheries conservation. Let’s go!

RULES

Even though these relatives look similar and are of the toothy Esox variety, catching Minnesota’s Northern Pikes during the ice fishing season is a whole new ball game. In addition, it is just as important to help preserve and protect our fisheries in the winter as it is during open water season. This is an “on your honor” tournament, so please report your fishing results accurately. We encourage all participants to follow all COVID-19 safety protocols, but we hope you can make this a family affair! Bring your kids, dogs, and grills and enjoy some fresh air out on the ice.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

This virtual tournament is a members-only tournament and is 100% FREE to all NMMI members, including youth participants. You’ve got nothing to lose and every reason to join in the fun!

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I FISH?

This contest will run from December 9, 2022 – February 26, 2023. All fish must be reported by 11:59 PM on February 26, 2023. You can fish in any lake, river, pond, stream, or ditch in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. 

HOW DO I GET POINTS?

While this contest is all about finding ways to catch Northern Pike, there is also an equal emphasis on finding ways to preserve and protect our beautiful Minnesota fisheries. If you are spearing, we highly encourage you NOT to spear any trophy pike. Please take a photo of your fish and/or ice clean-up and submit photos. No points will be awarded without photo evidence.

Ice Clean-Up Conservation Category

We all know that there are irresponsible anglers who leave plenty of trash behind on the ice. However, if you stop to grab some of this trash and do your part to conserve our beautiful waters, you will be awarded entries into the Ice Clean-Up Conservation Bonus Raffle. Only one entry per trash haul for the raffle, but the Tournament Director does have the discretion to issue more entries based on the volume of trash collected. Please make sure to take pictures of your haul to earn entries!

Hammer-Handle Harvest Encouraged!

The Minnesota DNR recently rolled out the state’s Northern Pike Zones, and the largest North Central Zone is plagued with too many small pike. This overabundance of small pike is problematic, so we are giving bonus points to anyone who catches and harvests hammer-handle pike in this zone (fish eligible for harvest bonus must be under 22”). Please make sure to take pictures of your harvest to get the points! In addition, please feel free to share how you like to cook and eat your delicious little hammer-handles. [How to Fillet Northern Pike]

REPORTING YOUR POINTS

To record your points and get on the board, please report your photos and measurements to NMMI Board Member Nikki Bentley and feel free to share your photos on the NMMI Facebook page. Photos are required as you simply can’t say, “I caught a pike and picked up some trash.”

• Facebook Messenger to Nikki Bentley
• Text: 701-261-2894
• Email: thenikkibentley@gmail.com

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Results will be continuously tabulated and shared periodically via social media and our NMMI membership newsletters.

PRIZES

While fishing and protecting our fisheries may be in your DNA, we are also offering some external motivation and competition to the members who fish hard and are trash-picking machines: 

• Northern Pike Champion - Thorne Bros. Gift Card
• Ice Clean-Up Conservation Champion - Thorne Bros. Gift Card