Several lodge owners on Eagle Lake are calling for a voluntary restriction of the use of Forward-Facing Sonar, especially when fishing for musky.
Charlene Snow is the general manager of Eagle Lake Island Lodge and says they are worried about the increased use of FFS technology.
“We believe it’s advanced technology that’s crossed the line and created an unfair chase and an increased risk to our coveted muskie fishery,” explains Snow.
Snow adds they don’t want an outright ban, but anglers need to know what kind of risks they are putting the muskie fishery at.
“As a conservative group, the lodges and other businesses and some guiding services, we’re asking guests not to use it while fishing for muskie. As a lodge we’re asking our guests not to bring it at all.”
Cal Ritchie, a local private fishing guide explains how FFS works.
“FFS allows anglers to sharp shoot deep-water muskies with unprecedented precision and effectiveness,” says Ritchie.
“That repeated targeting and handling, especially of large fish, leads to increased stress, delayed mortality, and potential long-term impacts on the lake’s size structure and trophy potential.”
Forward Facing Sonar is already banned at many musky fishing tournaments, and signs have been posted a boat launches on Eagle Lake asking anglers not to use FFS.
