Making sense of the MN boarder waters rules/regs?

[mr_jman]

Hoping to get some clarity on what I need to buy and number of lines, etc.

Here is how it has been explained to me so far...

You only need a Minnesota license (and not the other states license as well) to fish the border waters. If you own a Minnesota license you follow Minnesota regulations for lines, but stated limits/lengths posted in the MN DNR rules/regs book?

If you would buy the other states license (IA, ND, SD, WI, Canada) then you can fish by there rules/regs for lines?

[mainbutter]

I'd like to hear more on this.

I believe that MN licensed anglers are allowed 2 lines in the st croix, but I'd love to hear about following the other state's regs.

[DTro]

Wrong, you must follow the regs of the state you reside in.

[awolff]

You would think that would make sense, but you can actually use two lines on Wisconsin border waters without buying their license. Go to the DNR HSOforum and download the regs, it explains it on pages 56 and 57.

[JohnMickish]

Yes, you have to read the right section in the book. Go to the border waters and look up the lake/river you are interested in and it's all there.

[tweedlap]

We have used two lines at Big Stone for years. Got checked a few times

and nothing was said.

tweed

[mojogunter]

If you are a MN resident fishing on the St. Croix or Mississippi border water you can fish two lines with one lure on each line, or one line with two lures on one line. If you are from WI you can fish two lines with two lures on each line.

[DTro]

Yes, the border water regs are in the MN book. If you are a MN resident you follow those rules, no matter what state you buy a license in.

[DTro]

If you are a MN resident fishing on the St. Croix or Mississippi border water you can fish two lines with one lure on each line, or one line with two lures on one line. If you are from WI you can fish two lines with two lures on each line.

Actually it's 3 on the St Croix if you are from WI

[mojogunter]

Really three lines with two hooks per line? I'm from MN so it won't apply to me, but that would be good to know.

[Nick Kuhn]

Really three lines with two hooks per line? I'm from MN so it won't apply to me, but that would be good to know.

No, you could only have 1 hook per line if using 3. The way Wisconsin defines it is you can have up to 3 things capable of catching a fish. So something like a shad rap is one line. However you could run say a dropshot rig with 3 hooks at different depths (why I have no idea), but that would be your 3 lines. You could also do a double line and a single line.

[mr_jman]

So basically, as long as I have my Minnesota license, I can fish a border lake at least the same way I can fish instate Minnesota lakes (1 line). Although possession and length limits on these lakes may differ from instate lakes.

I'm asking now because I am considering fishing Big Stone on that earlier opener, and other border lakes later this summer.

A follow up question would be if I fish Big Stone and keep some walleye fillets how can I prove they came from that lake and are legal if I were to be stopped by a CO? - Since the opener is much earlier than the Minnesota opener.

[TSchultz]

You need a signed and notarized affidavit from the nearest notary stating that you were fishing Big Stone and only Big Stone. They will then call in Gill Grissom from CSI to swab your boat hull and compare the trace minerals deposited on it to Big Stone's water just to make sure that they match. You will also be subject to a portable lie detector test ie, the CO connects jumper cables to his high output alternator on his Ford Super Duty and connects them to your nipples. Each time he suspects you are lying he guns the motor.

The DNR knows that the border waters open earlier than inland waters. Just tell them that's where you were fising, and you will be fine.

[boec0020]

...I always love that one

[croixflats]

Quote:

A follow up question would be if I fish Big Stone and keep some walleye fillets how can I prove they came from that lake and are legal if I were to be stopped by a CO? - Since the opener is much earlier than the Minnesota opener.

Well, if your traveling in the area to a boarder water I think if you let them know you were fishing boarder water you will be ok. If a person lived in central Mn a receipt from a store,like a bait shop, showing you were in the area of the boarder water should suffice.

[waterbound]

Taking pictures isn't a bad idea either, it's not likely you'll need to have evidence or anything but if you get pulled over it would be convenient to have proof you were at Big Stone.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

I also always love that one.... thats hilarious

[croixflats]

I also always love that one.... that's hilarious

OK, how about some constructive input.

Living on a boarder water I have never been questioned though I would imagine if someone traveling in the middle of the state caught with fish in the car has some explaining to do with something to back it up.

[WyoChris]

The MN reg book usually has a few pages explaining all the border water rules on specific bodies of water

Last summer I was heading to the St Croix and I had the same question you had. After looking through the regs, I found that I could have two lines on I believe page 56..... anyways, a pair of WI DNR came up to my boat, checked my license and livewell, then told me that I could only have one line as a Minnesotan. Since I just looked up the reg, I responded "I don't believe your correct, check page 56 of the MN regs". They proceeded to get out their reg book, flipped to page 56, whispered some words to each other, then said "Oh, looks like you can have two lines, have a good night".

You would think a game warden patrolling the St Croix would know all the border water regs.....

[mr_jman]

Pretty good T Shultz and maybe it is over analyzing things, but I don't live terribly close to the lake. Yes I know getting pulled over by a CO (although hauling a boat might make it slightly more likely) things do happen and maybe someone out there had some advice.... which they did!

Just the thought of being able to chase some walleyes weeks earlier than I ever have seems fun. I love to chase the panfish so even if I'm not going there I hope to have the boat out by the time of the opener on Big Stone.