Beware of Muskie!!!

[Mayfly]

This is why I don't swim in lakes


Muskie Likely Bit Boy In Lake Calhoun
(AP) Minneapolis Maybe this time, the fish decided it was time to get even.

Instead of becoming prey to anglers, a large fish turned the tables this week, and took a bite out of 9-year-old Paris Copeland's ankle while he was swimming in Lake Calhoun.

"My poor son," moaned his mother, Westy Copeland. "He adores swimming. Now he claims he's never going back in."

Paris and his family were at Lake Calhoun's busy main beach on Memorial Day when Paris felt something strike his ankle.

"All of a sudden he comes running up on the beach, not crying but very concerned, saying 'Mom, something bit me,"' Westy Copeland said. "Blood was just gushing."

The child's leg had an inch-long gash and three teeth marks.

Paris said he didn't see what bit him. "I just felt a ton of pain," he said.

The family was later told that the fish could have been a muskellunge or a tiger muskie -- a muskie-northern hybrid. Both species are aggressive, can grow to 3 or 4 feet or longer, and have mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth.

Fish bites are rare, but they can happen. In 1995, a 13-pound, 38-inch-long muskie bit a youth in Lake Rebecca in western Hennepin County. That fish was later captured in the enclosed swimming area and moved.

But officials say Paris could probably swim in Lake Calhoun for the rest of his life and never get bitten by a fish again.

"For all of the muskie lakes we have, and the number of people and amount of swimming that goes on, we sure don't get many reports (of serious fish bites)," said Daryl Ellison, Department of Natural Resources regional fisheries manager.

[Woody]

Guess I better not go swimming with my Rapala brand swim flippers anymore!  ::hittingself::

[thunderpout]

Hey Woody!  I think we just better round up all those useless muskies and put muzzles on em'....come to think of it...that just dosent make much sense....no, better mandate all youngins wear kevlar wetsuites and yard helmets when entering muskelunge infested waters.... :ROTFLMAO:                 -thunderpout

[Woody]

WARNING! :

Be sure all kids are wearing full football or hockey protective gear before entering water!
Oh-and make sure they have on their life jackets too!  :ROTFLMAO:

[Realtree]

I just caught the end of this story on Channel 5 tonight when I got home. Strange......   ::  :gunsmilie:

[MuskyManiac]

Just as long as i know there biting !!!!   ::

[buckshot]

Just tell the kid if a Musky ever comes into HIS living room he has permission to bite it....seems fair...an eye for an eye. :ROTFLMAO:

[A-Rod]

I know where Im bringing the canoe this weekend

[Outdoors Junkie]

Can you imagine being that kid?  He was just playing in the water when bam something bit him.  I bet it scared the crap out of him.  It would have scared me.