Fishing for bass and releasing before season opener

[chief]

Co's will watch anglers from a distance, often with binoculars, or from a shore position. If the anglers under observation catch "multiple" fish of a species in closed season, AND if they make no attempt to relocate to a different area, they are ticketed for fish/game harrassment. (I'm not sure what the magic number is in the word "multiple")

Catch and release makes no difference here, and the lures in question make no difference. You can fish any way you choose, but if you're repeatedly "catching" a closed species you have to leave the area.

[Set The Hook]

Good ups on the clarication Chief.

[matthothand]

Wow. Lots of people looking for loopholes here. BTW the MN DNR is drafting a provision to allow catch and release with artificial lures for bass during the closed season. I have no clue when this might even get close to any sort of vote though. This was told to me in an e-mail reply after one of my e-mails to our super duper DNR.

[g_anoka]

In my opinion, the real question is legal vs ethical. And if you can't figure out what the difference is, might I suggest you find another hobby other then fishing and hunting.

[bassfshin24]

I definitely dont agree with the bass season but you wont be seeing me break the law just to catch some fish before the opener. If you want to get out and get some bass just head to pool 2 of the miss.

[SkunkedAgain]

I still haven't seen anyone post a link or paste in the regulation that tells you to move. Sounds like a lot of "I've heard that this is illegal..." stuff.

Not seeing any proof, I would think that a CO would look for the angler to do something to avoid continuous catching of an out-of-season species. One could stay in the same spot, but switch lures or presentation, trying to catch your intended species.

[Burchoid]

Honestly, I think most CO's have a lot more to worry about in the spring than someone catching and releasing a few bass on a crappy rig. Almost every time I'm out fishing I see people keeping fish out of season, keeping over their limit (filling a bucket and coming back in under an hour to do the same again), snagging bedding bass, all sorts of terrible things that negatively impact our fisheries. I try to turn them in via TIP, but often there's just not enough CO's out there to immediately investigate every report.

[goblueM]

just go to pool 2, they're biting

[Craigums]

I heard they are always "catch and release", just release before they catch you!

[bassfshin24]

goblueM: what area of pool 2 are they biting on...ive been up around hidden falls park the past 2 days without a thing

[EBass]

Agree Pool 2 or Pool 4. Heck Pool 4 is better. Or doesn't any catfish? Now is kitty time

[Juan Grande]

I agree with the year round catch and release bass season. At least they could coincide the bass opener with walleye/northern opener to avoid the whole fishing for northerns vs. fishing for bass argument over that two week period.

It sucks waiting until memorial day weekend to bass fish MN lakes.

[goblueM]

try to find slack water and timber if possible, for largemouth. i'd shy away from live bait and try something like a 1/4 oz colorado spinnerbait or a lipless rattling crank. something with good size profile and some vibration. helps em find it when the waters are muddy like they are. my buddy was trying for crappies with smaller baits and got nothing. took him 3 fish by me on the rattle rap before he switched over

smallies will be around the rocks (that's usually what i find thru the year) and the few largeies out there will be in slack water. Action will be heating up in the next few weeks!

Better bass fishing the in the lower Miss, in my opinion though, lake pepin is good, pool 5 is great, and although i haven't fished it, I saw a lot of decent bass in pool 7/8 backwaters while scuba diving

that said there are some dandy smallmouth in Pool 2!

[Stick Em]

I just did a recent article on this in Star Tribune Outdoors. Check it out at http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoo...D3aPc:_Yyc:aUUs

Tight Lines!

[Cecil]

Nice job Josh!

[JeffB]

I guess when crappie fishing I try to move to where the crappie are and don't worry if there are bass present. I'm not going to move off the crappie if there are also bass present. I am going to use the bait that gives me the best chance at catching crappie. This Saturday the crappie weren't biting that well for me, but I couln't keep the bass off the hook. It happens that way, its not the way I wanted it, but at least the bass kept me entertained along with a couple bowfin.

[Reid G]

good article

[shiltsy]

Great article, Josh.... well thought-out and written.

[Hula_Grub]

I enjoyed the article and agree 100%.

[Stick Em]

Thanks all! I'd like to see more talk about it where it matters most though. I believe we're the last state to come up with some sort of C&R policy for spring. I may be wrong though.

[river rat316]

WI and some in the NE also have closed season, I would like to see them go to C&R early then open it up for C&R a little later, tournament directors and fisherman hate that idea though

[Juan Grande]

I heard the MN DNR issued a reply to that article simply stating "Keep it up and we'll close the bass season permanently"

[Cecil]

I would love to see that reply.

[river rat316]

I know... or hope your joking.... cripes I would go insane if they did that

[Cecil]

I would move south in about a week!