Excessive Tribal Spearing Of Wisconsin Musky Fisheries By Craig Sandell © 2026 In 2006, I wrote an article encouraging businesses, the WDNR and tribal leaders to Not Confront But Cooperate to prevent our Musky fisheries from senseless exploitation. I believed that the combination of business ownership by the tribe and responsible management by the WDNR would meld into common ground that would enhance the Musky experience in Wisconsin for everyone; native and non-native people alike. Apparently That Suggestion Was Ignored!!! While the WDNR has continued to shirk its responsibility to apply common sense fishery management using good science as the foundation, the tribal leaders have supported and encouraged their people to impact Wisconsin fisheries through excessive winter spearing. Throughout Vilas and Price Counties, tribal bands are engaging in winter spearing, not for subsistence, but as an act of revenge that is being encouraged by tribal leaders. One might ask why haven't we seen anything in the Lakeland Times or on the local TV news from KJFW out of Rhinelander. The answer is advertising money. The tribes have essentially "bought" the silence of local newspapers and TV by virtue of their advertising dollars. Before there was casino money, local newspapers reported on winter spearing and local TV had cameras documenting spearing for the evening news.
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