Est. 1961
The Ohio DNR has broadcast a Webinar of the Muskellunge Program in our state. The seminar covers the Introduction to the Species, the Muskellunge Program in Ohio, Angler Collaboration, and the new Tagging Study. The Webinar is a little over an hour in length and can be viewed at this location:
All dues paying members receive a copy of our newsletter to keep you abreast of what is happening around the State. In addition to, informative articles, tournament results, & upcoming events, the newsletter contains helpful hints to assist you in your pursuit of a muskellunge.
Activities!
We have 3 one day fishing events each year as well as our 2 day Summer Contest and our 2 day Minnow Fund Outing. We also have a banquet in the spring of each year. We also have booths at the Ohio Muskie Show and the Muskie Max.
Information/Friendship!
You have the opportunity to exchange muskie information with fellow anglers, and to meet new fiends who share your interest. The opportunity to exchange ideas theories, tackle, techniques and to gain knowledge about different lakes around the state. Spending time with others who share your enthusiasm for muskie fishing, camping, conservation, and spending time with our families in the great outdoors.
Recognition!
Through trophies, plaques and annual certificates for outstanding catches and achievements. Anglers who report their catches during the season, and qualify for an award, will receive their plaques at the next annual Awards Banquet. Those not attending the banquet will receive their award by mail. Any trophies earned at our events will also be awarded at the banquet. All certificates can now be printed directly from the (MAL) when the fish is reported.
Free Membership
A free membership will be awarded to an angler who catches his/her first ever muskie by legal means from Ohio waters, reports this muskie catch to the Ohio Division of Wildlife using the Muskie Angler Log (MAL), applies for the free membership below, and then returns to the MAL to check the box as “Member of OHMC” and puts their assigned member ID into the MAL. If the reported muskie is less than 42 inches, the angler is eligible for a Free Honorable Mention Membership. If the reported muskie is 42 inches or longer, then the angler is eligible for a Free Regular Membership. Anglers must apply for the free membership during the year in which the qualifying fish was caught and reported. All muskie catches, regardless of fish length, must be reported in the Muskie Angler Log (MAL) to qualify for any awards or free membership.
To complete your Free Membership request, you must submit a Membership Application directly to the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club, Inc. Once it has been confirmed that your catch has been reported within the Muskie Angler Log, we will mail you your free membership ID card with your member number, and some information on the club. When you receive your unique member ID number, go back to the Muskie Angler Log site, edit your profile and add in the member ID number to your profile. Also make sure you select the switch for “member of OHMC”. It takes a little bit of work on your part, but now you have fully registered with the ODNR’s Muskie Angler Log and OHMC. Remember all of our annual awards are taken directly from the M.A.L. at the end of the year. If you need help, give one of the Trustees a call and we will be glad to walk you through the process, step by step. A FREE membership is considered Honorary if your catch is under 42″ and then changed to Regular status after you catch a 42″ or larger muskie in Ohio. Your membership is automatically established as Regular if your first catch is 42″ or larger. Upon catching your FIRST MUSKIE 42″ OR LARGER, regardless if it is your first muskie caught in Ohio, you will receive (1) one free dinner at the awards banquet. Note: this is a one time offer to get a free meal at the awards banquet.
Please understand that a free membership into the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club is for the remainder of the calendar year, starting upon submission of your catch data on the M.A.L. (free memberships expire on December 31 of the current calendar year). If you wish to continue to receive Club benefits and Club mailings, you must renew your membership thereafter. Annual dues are $15.00 per person or $25.00 for a family membership a year. Family membership is considered husband/wife and all children under 16 years of age. Free memberships are for an individual, not a family. Normal dues renewal may be paid anytime after January first. A renewal form will be sent with the banquet newsletter along with you awards banquet reservation form for convenience, and as a reminder. Yours renewal dues should be paid prior to the first fishing event to be fully eligible for your annual awards.
Ohio Huskie Muskie Club
Seeing an opportunity to expand on the then sparce muskellunge fishery in Ohio, The Ohio Division of Wildlife first attempted to propagate muskie in 1948. Native brood fish were live trapped from Ohio streams and placed in hatchery ponds at Kincaid Fish Farm, in hopes that natural reproduction would occur. Because of poor success with this project, in 1953 the Ohio Division of Wildlife started an artificial propagation program. Over the next few years with the increased catch of muskellunge from Ohio waters, interest among fishermen grew and the Ohio Division Of Wildlife needed to obtain information on the muskellunge catch and harvest. So in 1961. Merrille C. Gilfillan and John Z. Pelton formed an organization aptly named The Ohio Huskie Muskie Club to officially record all the muskies caught each year. The club has proven to be an excellent vehicle for obtaining statewide information, which is valuable in evaluating fish management activities, and planning for the future of muskie fishing in Ohio.
Over the years OHMC grew and grew with the success in holding club outings and tournaments throughout the state of Ohio. Angler catch rates grew with the success of the stocking program and the return of angler information back to the Division. The size of caught muskies also grew largely due to or commitment to return muskies back to the lake. Current return rates average around 99.6% release.!
In 1994 the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club, incorporated to a 501 C3 non- profit organization. Slightly changing our name to The Ohio Huskie Muskie Club, Inc. A sport fishing club dedicated to promoting better muskie fishing in the state of Ohio, by providing the Division of Wildlife with biological information on catch and harvest through out the state. By educating and promoting current and future anglers on Muskie fishing through out the state.
The Ohio Huskie Muskie Club, Inc. is you, your family, neighbors and any other avid muskie angler.
