The MeatEater Podcast | The Musky Wars with Larry Ramsell Ep. 568

[@brianmiller5160]

As an avid musky angler from wisconsin and a wannnabe scholar of all things musky I thoroughly enjoyed this episode!

[@Lilmickcrocodiledundee0001]

Hello fellow Wisconsinite, fished them for 25 year's, damn good eaten fish. But the last 10 year's there is a helluva lot more muskie fisherman, the pressure is unbelievable

[@TedWulf]

As a Musky fisherman and my brother as well. We have spent many hours on the boat fishing them in the Chain 'O Lakes. I learned a lot from this podcast. Thank you!

[@jonahswitzer31]

I would listen to Larry talk about Muskies till my ears fall off. Hes helped me start my passion for them!

[@KarenMcTavish]

I love that Dick Pearson was mentioned. Great interview Larry!!

[@adamm2127]

As an avid Musky fisherman from Ontario, this was a top notch listen. Thanks Larry!

[@bfstackledirect]

Larry supports our kids muskie camps put on by the Youth Conservation Alliance in Hayward, WI. He selflessly guides and mentors countless young anglers and we love him for it!

[@KrummyProductions]

Can you post back some information for this activity? I would love to get my daughter involved. I’m not far from Hayward.

[@bigscrap84]

I dont usually listen to podcasts about fishing or hunting but this was incredible

[@Drewski2023]

Very cool! Larry is Old School Wisconsin fisherman. Musky fishing is like hunting, it takes knowledge, ETHICS and perseverance to be successful. Do your homework before fishing (even if you aren’t musky fishing) on how to handle & release a musky properly, what tools you need.

[@ChasinStuds]

I balloon fish for them and I love it like nothing else. Besides hunting, even though you muskie fishing is hunting

[@KD16288]

This might just be my favorite episode I've watched yet.

[@tomdorsey6028]

I’m reminded of an advertisement on the In fisherman show years ago. Two guys in a boat hear a lady yelling something from a dock, they move in to see what’s the matter. She screams that a musky ate her Muffy! (Dog or maybe a cat). One of the guys reply’s, What color was he!😂

[@Sabaskong]

That was a dog and it was Larry Dahlberg asking her. Awesome!

[@Justin-pq3rq]

Eating her muffy!! I probably would to.

[@williammg9135]

This was a great episode, Larry's a bit crusty, but he sure ain't shy. I liked him, not sure you will bring him back, but he is one of the best guest you have had on your show.

[@tommyrq180]

Larry has a strong understanding of human nature. When it comes to records, one needs to have his strong skepticism and dogged pursuit of proof. Lots of lying and ulterior motives when it comes to records of any kind, perhaps most of all, for fish. Basically, Larry gets it and I’m glad there are people like him out there keeping things relatively honest.

[@tommyrq180]

Ramsell on the manifesto: “Who do you think you’re dealing with?!?” Classic! 😊

[@lightfeather9953]

48:10 Great point the guy made about them not having the physiology for a long fight. Even if a fish swims away on release, the stress and exhaustion can easily kill it for reasons he mentioned.

[@benderbear8243]

Best Podcast on the internet! thanks guys.

[@lifeisfuneh]

This was jut spectacular! Of course Larry, but the host and other folks as well! THANK YOU!

[@brianellman]

This was absolutely amazing. I loved every minute. don’t take a big fish out of the water. mine was supper. not a musky. a bull trout. 33 in. 16lbs. and I was shaking. Love this man.

[@brianshort7921]

I just want to say I love the podcast. Greetings from here in Michigan. Thanks for the great content.

[@EarlSChristy]

This is GOLD! I first heard of Larry about 1990 (Musky Hunter Magazine) read some of his writings & this is the 1st time I've ever heard him speak or saw him other than photo's. So proud to hear him truth on FFS aka Livescope=X-box spotlighting for fish. It could well do to freshwater fishing what railroads did to the Buffalo heards without the wonderful benefits that railroads brings to us. True FFS/Livescope technology should be available to fisheries management people & scientist etc for research.

[@bachsoutdooradventures]

Thank you so much for Larry on your podcast! There is a lot of knowledge and stories in that man. I feel this episode only skimmed the surface!

[@kevinhayter3556]

Glad you guys touched on muskie

[@coachgaryb]

Awesome podcast Larry was so good! Had me smiling and laughing non stop!

[@Verlisify]

HE'S 82 AND THAT SHARP? Impressive

[@logschu]

He should run for president

[@Eric-dr5bj]

Fishing will do that to you

[@kirbybudrow5342]

@@logschu Ramsell Cassellman 2024

[@TheMlerich30]

Nah... he's a grumpy old fart who doesn't want anyone chasing after his favorite fish. These things aren't in at any risk of population loss

[@ChasinStuds]

He's the musky OG

[@Ristermogers]

Should do this for more freshwater species! This is awesome

[@StephenDuquette64]

Gotta be one of the best podcasts you guys have done! Larry is a rock star! Such a likeable dude! And Steven Rinella, you weren’t getting anything by him! He has to be the most knowledgeable guy regarding his sport-musky fishing and knowledge of musky! And so much humour! Love your podcast and this has to. E one of the best!! Keep ‘em coming!

[@hoyt15flhtk82]

1st Podcast watched from Meateater ever. Not much of a Podcast watcher for any subject/sport. I do watch and enjoy all Meateater shows. I concider your show a top 5 of all hunting/fishing shows that i watch. This Podcast was very interesting and a learnng experience towards the Musky World. I've never caught a Musky in my life and have made it a life goal to catch one, plus over 50". A pretty big dream for a 60yr old man who lives in Iowa. I do fish northern WI every couple of years, Chetek area. Once I learn my quarry more and everything else involved to preserve the species. Some day I'll be ready to begin to start my quest. But as of right now I need to learn more on whole Musky experience to catch and preserve them. I've purchased over the the last 5yrs everything needed to catch one. More is still needed though. Theres unlimited opppoortunies to gain knowledge on here and thru books which I utilize daily and like Larry I don't believe in the Live Scope. My belief is that it is cheating IMO. Larry your a heck of a man with Morals and Standards. Keep up the good fight Sir!!! AWESOME PODCAST MEATEATER!!!

[@Braden460]

Best podcast yet for MeatEater!

[@ifishwithC4]

That was truly and incredible episode. Larry was fantastic to listen too, and his knowledge on the subject combined with his lively humor was a joy to listen/watch.

[@deanjohnston4073]

Love your podcast. I’m from Ottawa Canada (eastern Ontario) and we have a great musky location on the Ottawa River where the nation river feeds into it. So many Americans come here annually for the musky. On a side note, if you’re an avid fisherman you need to treat yourself at least once in your lifetime to visit lake of the woods Kenora Ontario!!! It must be at least considered an anglers paradise. Not to mention one of the absolutely most beautiful places on earth.

[@ministerpopilyo]

Caught nothing but a tan yesterday at hogs back falls, been skunked all summer. What is so great about fishing lake of the woods if I can ask?

[@johnfatorich3494]

Lake of the Woods is a musky and all other fish factory.

[@WilliamWallis597]

Fellow ottawa guy here. That wendover section is so boom or bust in my oppinion, but the average size is big

[@jakelindahl3052]

Living near the Bone lake he mentioned in northwest Wisconsin. It has become quite the hot topic to local fisherman. I believe the limit now is 1 over 45" or 50" not sure but somewhere in that range. Spearing is allowed amongst the local native tribe and many believe they have been overtaking their limit. However, I do know they report their harvest to the wi dnr. However, that doesn't mean crap(wi dnr is suspect at best)...lol. I just found it interesting that my neck of the woods made it into the episode. Thanks for another great guest and podcast.

[@matthewrammer]

Bone lake = speared out.

[@illmuskyhunter3313]

They have absolutely raped and pillaged the musky fisheries in northern Wisconsin

[@Fingolfin3423]

Tribal spearing has decimated most lakes it takes place on. It's horrible for all parties involved. It's incredibly senseless and ignorant. I don't know how this discussion is in other states, but it's a major problem in Wisconsin. This is one reason lots of musky anglers travel to Minnesota and Canada to pursue larger and "more bountiful" musky.

[@Lilmickcrocodiledundee0001]

Hey fellow Wisconsinites, yes the WI DNR is a fckn JOKE! They screw everything up

[@nailbombx2311]

This Podcast came at the perfect time! Ive seen some monsters up here in the Chain of Lakes in Bellaire, Michigan, And have been wanting to have a go at catching a musky! Honestly never even considered the actually handling of the fish, if i get so lucky! Learned alot here, and doing some research now!

[@thirdiprodigy3579]

Let's go roll call Ontario! 🇨🇦

[@danuber631]

The song at the end is the best! I love fishing lures too!

[@Delmiester]

It had a very Weird-Al feel to it, was pleasantly surprised by it.

[@BSHEP23]

Larry Ramsell is a legendary musky angler.

[@bryant.6267]

I don't musky fish, people actually hate them around where I live but I love the outdoors and really like these podcasts with experienced, interesting and passionate people. People like Larry are people we need to listen and learn from if we want the outdoors to continue for generations. This was a great listen.

[@dvg4104]

People hate Muskies?

[@jimmysavage258]

Best episode yet

[@JimBowSlice]

I went on a charter on lake st clair for musky we went all the to the mouth o g the thames river. The captian had this big clear box with fresh flowing water on board and each of the muskie were put in the tank until their fins were no longer red. The musky guys on lake st clair do the most for their species

[@xinfinitebeingx6776]

I own a livescope. I tend to not use it musky fishing because I spend to much time looking at my screen and not making casts. It felt like I was disconnecting from the essence of musky fishing. Chucking big baits, searching until they reveal themselves following it to the boat. It’s all about the number of casts you make. livescope is fun. But not for me when I’m chasing muskys.

[@Justin-pq3rq]

It’s the equivalent of using drones for deer hunting. Like Larry said. There’s a line for everything. It’s called hunting. Or fishing. Not finding. There’s more than enough technology to help someone land a big Muskie or shoot a nice buck. It has gotten to the point that it’s just stupid.

[@WD-41469]

Have they gone to single hooks, and circles, as in the Striped Bass recreational fishery? (NE).

[@itsmisterbojangles]

Super interesting. Glad I’m home sick today…..

[@tommyrq180]

There’s a resort on Baby Lake (a certified musky lake where ice spearing was prohibited) in Minnesota where a musky hangs over the fireplace in the main lodge. That musky is bigger than the state record. It was caught by an old-timer (this was back in the 1970s) who was a legendary musky angler. He carried a revolver for the big ones rather than deal with their capacity for mayhem when hoisted into the boat. Shot the musky in the cranium. Could have cared less that it wasn’t going to be a state record, but it was his biggest landed fish. He hooked bigger ones, of course! 😅 😊

[@zieglla]

We used to go to Lac Seul for northerns & caught a few small muskies. Using barb-less hooks helped in the catch & release

[@mtnman6942]

When catch and release was first used for preservation of steelhead, we used to use a hole punch to mark the fishes tail, then we knew if it had been caught before 🎣 🐟😎👍

[@BottledCourage]

Lord have mercy this dude knows it ALL about Muskies.

[@clintblankenship330]

The esteemed Mr. Ramsell is a personal friend of mine, and I couldn't BEGIN to relate some of the history I've heard.

[@Midwest-aFishyaNado]

I wish more people would take a video camera and record their musky catches. Then upload the video so I can live thru them for a brief moment... I watch em all. 👍🏼

[@philfrasier9822]

Simply awesome!

[@TestTest-cp2jo]

TREMENDOUS and there's a lake near my name that has 52 53 54 inchers on record; that was fantastic

[@oledahammer8393]

Larry is a treasure in the Musky community. He and some other long time members of that community have disputed those old records for many years. So many things about them don't add up. But I will say this, as a former Fisheries Research Scientist, that given we have had catch-and-release at 90-100% for close to 30 years now on Muskies, and yet not ONE fish has been caught even approaching those fish caught by Spray and Johnson, in spite of the release rate, in spite of better tackle, better electronics, better boats, more remote areas being fished and spite of numerous stocking programs...if it was truly possible for Muskies to reach that length and weight, wouldn't ONE have been caught by now at least approaching one of those old records? Secondly, in spite of all those things mentioned, not ONE fish even remotely close to those sizes has been caught in those same waters the records came from since they were caught in the 1950's! Not ONE even close....I rest my case.

[@qualityautos2790]

82 and WAY sharper than Biden is at the same age. This guy is a treasure

[@natemiller448]

That was great. Larry reminds me of an old-timer I hang out with. No bullshit.

[@coltencrittenden3039]

So what happened with the verifier/clarifier and the hog? Looking to get one myself as those pins are getting more blurry by the season. Sure don't want to draw back on a 180" whitetail and miss. :D

[@mattd2672]

There is an old wives tale from west Michigan about the naming of the town Muskegon. One day a traveler was paddling down a river and arrived at a lake. On the shore of this lake was a village and as they paddled they saw an Indian standing on the shore. They called to him asking where they were and the Indian pointed at the lake and said in broken English "musky gone."

[@KeithL-fl4ih]

Hey the Red River Catfish!!!!! Holy freakin cow! Thems my stomping grounds but the U.S. side!! On this side you can keep one channel 1 over 28 a day.

[@Bottomlandtrailcams304]

The immediate talk about getting old and having to put a magnifier in your peep makes me feel so seen. Started shooting again last month and noticed it was happening to me too

[@ZackaryDavid801]

Well I feel like an idiot. Definitely going to be more careful handling Muskies from now on. Think the big I pulled in was around 52” at my cottage by Eagle River, definitely not pulling them out of the water again.

[@lightfeather9953]

This is part why I enjoy fishing. There's always new things to learn to better mitigate the negative aspects of what we do. Even just learning about which lures etc are less environmentally harmful to lose in the water for example. It's frustrating that some don't care, littering poaching etc, but I feel like the majority of us want our waters and fish populations to be in good condition, and are open to learning from each other.

[@warneckefarm6812]

In the south Tn , i have a good friend that told me that musky is call a 1000 cast fish

[@craigholland2274]

10,000

[@Coe221]

You should have Niklaus Bauer on for fly fishing pike in Sweden. Great fisherman and very knowledgeable.

[@tommyrq180]

FYSA, this podcast shows as Episode #569 on the podcast link (not 568)

[@woldoutdoors4479]

I cought a relatively small northern pike 25 ish, with a chipmunk in its belly. I have no doubt the "squirl bait" technique would work.

[@caljerm]

I've seen a muskie take down a seagull and eat it

[@alanbuvelot831]

Still on the fence for forward facing sonar . I seen myself guy (s) catching 8 to over 12 in one day out of a small lake. My best is 4. Don't have it particially due to cost. But at 66 could use sometimes use any help possible.

[@alanbuvelot831]

Have probably caught over 500 biggest 52.25 inches over 50 years going after them.

[@NothingIsBetterThanButter]

Is this the gentleman they said they wanted on some time back but they thought he may be too old? I’m so excited and I’m only a moment in!!!! Yea boys!

[@MorganMckinney-if9jd]

I really enjoyed this episode! I would really like to hear Craig Boddington do a caliber rundown. I don’t think anyone has tested more cartridges than that man. 6.5 on elk? 6.8 western? 26-33 nosler? I feel like that man has shot them all and i would like to know what he feels. I know it’s preference but I don’t think there is a man that has stood behind more rifles than him.

[@stuffnsuch631]

Why it assumed every muskie fishers goal is monster muskie? Seems to trump the meat aspect of the fish. It feels like the discussion of management is how to make them bigger opposed to stable usage.

[@stephangruenhagen6877]

Pretty hard to have stable usage. In a 1000 acre lake a good goal to have would be to have around 250-500 muskies. One season we boated 21 fish in 8 days. Even if we only kept one fish a day that’s a fairly large impact on population and that’s only 1 boat fishing. Musky populations are very well studied and very accurate. I’m from Minnesota and in many lakes most fish have PIT tags in them and that’s how they estimate the populations. I may eat some walleye or panfish but I don’t over do it. Keep 5 or so blue gills. Anything over 9” goes back. Keep some walleye but anything over 20” goes back. Steve is so far off when it comes to fish genetics.

[@Lilmickcrocodiledundee0001]

​@@stephangruenhagen6877muskie are very good eating

[@lightfeather9953]

​​@@Lilmickcrocodiledundee0001they have way more toxins than smaller fish. And with esox, the smaller ones are better to prepare and eating anyway. I'd strongly recommend eating smaller pike instead, if it's legal size for its location. Or better, walleye or smaller species. You'll have 10-100x more toxic chemicals eating muskie compared to panfish. Even if you don't care, it's not advised to be sharing it with children, pregnant women, or people with some medical conditions. Almost anywhere in the US has health guidelines for fish consumption that can be found online easily. It really depends on the water so I'd start with that when choosing what to eat on a regular basis.

[@lightfeather9953]

In most places with muskie nearby, pike are also present either in the same or nearby waters and are much easier to catch and legally keep.

[@Deadwood-fs8vi]

That was Awsome.

[@mrfish49el]

You can take a tarpon under 40" out of the water, for bigger tarpon the closest you can do picking one up is beach benching one.

[@Justin-pq3rq]

My dad has landed several big musky in his life. I just landed my first 2 weeks ago. A 46 inch fat girl. My dad’s biggest is 53. Coming from Ohio. Leesville lake. And the neighboring Piedmont lake. Which the state record came from in 1972. 54 pounds. And 50 inches.

[@anactivemarketcrash742]

Loved it

[@jonh7766]

Work in Hayward, just passed the bar they are talking about. Lol

[@underdogoutdoors]

It's a privilege to become an older hunter & fisherman.

[@Dream-season]

Great stuff.

[@patrickhoolihan1015]

Anyone who doesnt think FFS EXPONENTIALLY increases your odds of catching open water muskies, is ignorant. It's a phenomal and extremely informative tool. But, it needs to be used with extreme caution and thus far, peoples egos are winning.

[@charlie21gunner87]

I once went down to the local dock to find a distraught woman, she was sobbing something fierce. She said her little dog was swimming and was attacked by a large Musky. I knelt down digging through my tackle box asking what color her dog was. After fighting her off I went to the local bait shop to buy a new rod, how ungrateful could a person be?

[@snakeriverscotto]

Straight outta The Great Musky Hunt by In-Fisherman; thank you Larry Dahlberg!

[@charlie21gunner87]

@@snakeriverscotto I've heard the joke before but couldn't remember it, made up some parts lol.

[@JH_789]

You had me at underwearless.

[@Drewski2023]

Pro Guide Pete Mania has great vids on how to safely handle a musky.

[@slickbama8322]

Homer LeBlanc, famous Muskie fisherman, "Fish hard and think like a Musky. And keep your damn feet off the varnish!"

[@buckimmel3159]

Awesome episode. I'm glad you guys listened and got THE MAN to teach the masses. Next guy would be good pyzer. That would put it to bed.

[@ChasinStuds]

Where is larry Dahlberg mention

[@illinidave]

Livescope needs to be banned everywhere

[@joshfrazier1202]

Chet’s lead weights comment was way too under appreciated! 59:34

[@bachsoutdooradventures]

They were giving him the side eye, like let's pretend we didn't hear that... lol

[@buckruttin2246]

In the U.P. we say "da flowage".

[@EZ-AllenWrench]

I agree with the old man on everything he says

[@FastHatTrick]

@58:00 I can’t imagine having my life in such correct order to have enough time and energy left over to care so much about something so trivial. IE I wonder what suffers for him to care so much about a Musky War. It’s supposed to be a hobby you enjoy when the important shit is taken care of. WE GOT WEIGHTS IN FISH! smdh Catch a fish, either eat it or enjoy the experience and throw it back…. The entire conversation is about justification of ego instead of enjoyment of fishing.

[@elliotdavis4542]

I have been fish since I was a youngster. I still have a hard time handling musky..

[@tommyheel2536]

how much is a fish like those record fish eat ?

[@Lilmickcrocodiledundee0001]

Hey fellow Wisconsinites and skie angler's. In the last 10 year's musky fishing has exploded. I can remember going out in 05 to 10 and you would see maybe 2 other boats fishing, now you got lines to waiting to fish a spot. It's crazy. Yes muskie are Damn good eating! Try one, you will be awe

[@maxbdude]

My family were big musky fishermen for years at our family cabin in Lac Du Flambeau, WI. That was until roughly 8-10 years ago. Native Americans came through and speared the musky, pretty much wiped them out. There were also rumors that a resort on this small lake had interest in wanting the muksy gone so that the walleye population could flourish. Whatever happened, we never even get follow ups anymore...we used to see them all the time sun bathing and along the shores early in the morning, now theres literally nothing. Ever. It's actually heartbreaking

[@ClarkyMalarky]

They do this in Alberta for the last 30 years, preference went to walleye . Only now they realize that the walleye destroyed the perch and musky population.

[@NeonKue]

I usually hate Pikes cus they ruin my soft plastic frogs while I’m Bassin but I’ll gladly take a 40 inch Musky to make it worth the bite 😅

[@brainp471]

@1:17:10, I feel like Cal was making a "My Cousin Vinny" reference

[@tomschenk5148]

Catch and release and not fishing when water temps are high for musky are highlighted are briefly mentioned in Das Boat by Meat Eater season 2 episode 4. Thus making Steve's comments on catch and release seem like clickbait.

[@jessefrost6730]

My neighbors cat growing up was named Muskie bc when it was little the father wanted to use it for bait

[@jimjones8552]

Couldn't agree more on the part about fish finders being too advanced now. Especially for musky fishing. How is that even fun when the hunt is done on a screen? Ridiculous

[@AndrewMoraller]

The right genetics in the right waters.

[@BigpapamoneymanMVPtypebeat]

Lol my grandpa used to use kittens as Muskie bait, reminds me of the chipmunk story at the beginning 😂

[@Lobo-tommy10]

Salmon are absolutely optimized for each river but only benefit in hard times. Evolution worries more about hard times cause thats when it matters.

[@justinohlin6603]

Hey did i miss the kids podcast i thougt it was supposed to come out july 5th?

[@carybishop2876]

The expert , doesn't mention Indiana for muskie,but we have tiger muskies,and I have caught and released a very nice one here in NE Indiana! To completely skip our state to Kentucky makes no sense to me! I am by no means a expert ,just a fisherman !

[@adammoke8949]

Gord Pyzer know his stuff. Not just Muskie but most fresh water fish

[@mattr724]

Larry more or less confirmed what steve was saying about the musky world being full of elitist gatekeepers. Heaven forbid a *GASP* bass fisherman should handle one of their sacred fish

[@mertmunson1417]

Yeah??? Well, just don’t!!! Okay pal!!! Leave our Muskie alone!!! Hahahahahahahaha!!! Just kidding!!! You are spot on!

[@BluePiggy97]

hahaha the thumbnail changed into an actual musky!!!!