Heads up to MN catfishermen using live bait

[MinnesnowtaWild]

So does this affect shore fisherman? I bring my bucket filled with city water and my Bullheads to the river, use them, and then bring my water and leftovers home.

[Scott M]

That is exactly why I am against some of these nonsensical laws. It’s just keeps piling on, and leading to an eventual outright ban on live bait usage, or at least transportation of it, which is basically the same thing.

We keep whittling away at the things we can legally do, and people shrug it off an say “well it must be best for the fishery since it’s law”.

Sometimes you need to step up and call the smelly pile of matter out in the cow pasture exactly what it is.

[DTro]

I'm in the camp of letting nature takes it course, she's proven to beat us every other time.

If I was in complete conrol of what happens it would make it MUCH easier to stomach. The problem is that the majority need to suffer for those that aren't willing to comply or are just boneheaded (using crayfish from another state as bait). All it takes is 1 noncompliance to ruin years of work.

Not only that, but when it comes to rivers, the water in the live well is water that not too long ago was almost a state away and will be another state away shortly.

[Gordie]

SO riddle me this..

I come pulling into a river access and I have a full live well with bullies in it and well watera CO just happens to check my boat be for we go out.

Now do I get a ticket becasue the livewells full of bait and water or my coolers full of bait what ever I could have been at another lake catching bullies and probally was.

Its up to the discresion of the CO but by law he could give me a ticket.

As Darren mentioned where will it stop. Soon no live bait will it go that far probally not but it could happen.

[DTro]

Wait a second......

I totally forgot about catching bait. Tap water for that too? Oh geez, a whole new dilema.

[Gordie]

it will never end

[Shack]

The biggest issue I have with these new regs is here:

Quote:

Regulations on transport of water

As of July 1, 2010, the following regulations, apply to the transportation of water by boaters from all waters in the state (violations are misdemeanors):

* a person leaving waters of the state must drain boating-related equipment holding water and live wells and bilges by removing the drain plug before transporting the watercraft and associated equipment on public roads; and

* drain plugs, bailers, valves, or other devices used to control the draining of water from ballast tanks, bilges, and live wells must be removed or opened while transporting watercraft on a public road (marine sanitary systems and portable bait containers are excluded from this requirement).

Quote:

Regulations on transport of infested water.

The following regulations apply to the transportation of water from infested waters (violations are misdemeanors or civil penalties of $50 to $200):

* water from infested waters may not be used to transport fish except by permit;

* persons leaving infested waters that contain populations of spiny waterflea or zebra mussels must drain bait containers, other boating-related equipment (excluding marine sanitary systems) that holds water, and livewells and bilges by removing the drain plug before transporting the watercraft and associated equipment on public roads ($50 civil penalty or misdemeanor);

* water from infested waters may not be transported on a public road or off riparian property on infested waters except in emergencies or under permit ($200 civil penalty or misdemeanor).

They must think if we use sealed/enclosed containers filled with water from home to hold our bait, that have no outside connection with water intake or releasing hooked to the boat, that some how, via our hands, an instant splash(ing), or used bait being placed in this container that has been used in infested waters can get back to a bait tank and then "possibly" to non-infested waters?

What about the entire hull of a boat & trailer being in infested waters in the morning and minutes later in non-infested waters for the afternoon?

Losing the privilege of using live bait is only one thing, I think most in some fashion could interestingly over come this. The way things are going loosing the privilege of dropping a boat or line in infested waters is more of my concern.

Jeff as far as I know, if it ain't listed, you are legal as all get out. You only have to worry if you soak your bait in infested waters & load in your truck (I think it your bait bucket falls in the transporting infested water category then). And no where, I repeat no where does it say anything about city water, only "state water".

Rushing, you gunning for a full body, pepper spray tazing, face down in the MN river mud build up on the launch, shake-down style situation from your local CO. No judge, no jury! Just a long ride down to St. Paul to pay up on the misdemeanors or civil penalties of $50 to $200.

[Shack]

SO riddle me this..

I come pulling into a river access and I have a full live well with bullies in it and well watera CO just happens to check my boat be for we go out.

Now do I get a ticket becasue the livewells full of bait and water or my coolers full of bait what ever I could have been at another lake catching bullies and probally was.

Its up to the discresion of the CO but by law he could give me a ticket.

As Darren mentioned where will it stop. Soon no live bait will it go that far probally not but it could happen.

The regs only say "leaving" Gordie! Now you pull up in the launch and have your plug in, no flathead fishing time with out a warning or citation soap for you.

[Gordie]

Ah shack but how do they know if I left a differnt body of water had to leave from somewhere and hes I know the warning thing all to well

[Shack]

Once I am gone, I have left, and there for I am arriving to my next destination.

Quote:

leave 1 (lv)

v. left (lft), leav·ing, leaves

v.tr.

1. To go out of or away from: not allowed to leave the room.

2.

a. To go without taking or removing: left my book on the bus.

b. To omit or exclude: left out the funniest part of the story.

3. To have as a result, consequence, or remainder: The car left a trail of exhaust fumes. Two from eight leaves six.

4. To cause or allow to be or remain in a specified state: left the lights on.

5.

a. To have remaining after death: left a young son.

b. To bequeath: left her money to charity.

6. To give over to another to control or act on: Leave all the details to us.

7.

a. To abandon or forsake: leave home; left her husband.

b. To remove oneself from association with or participation in: left the navy for civilian life.

8.

a. To give or deposit, as for use or information, upon one's departure or in one's absence: He left a note for you. Leave your name and address.

b. To cause or permit to be or remain: left myself plenty of time.

9. Nonstandard To allow or permit; let.

Choose you poison above.

or

10) To make like a tree and get out of there.

[harvey lee]

"Oh lord am I getting a ticket or just a warning today" feeling after the CO tells you to pull over and uses a light and finds traces of vegetation under the little lip tucked deep in your wheel-well area? I guess the "rush" of being issues the warning instead of the ticket feels good , but short of that I see no enjoyment even in the ride down wondering if you are going to get inspected/searched.

I have never had any worries about that Shack. I simply clean the trailor and the bottom of the boat the best I can. I have a long brrom handle in the back of the truck and if I do see something I cannot reach, I try with the long handle.

I realize this is a little extra work that does take about 2 minutes.

It takes another 10 seconds to pull the plug.

Yes, there are more regs but they are not that tough to abide by. Minutes a trip.

[merkman]

Soon no live bait will it go that far probally not but it could happen.

If the fake bait mfg's have their way.

It’s the American way, if you can’t compete…. legislate.

[Shack]

I guess I have only heard of one instance from a firm source of how close the are looking for any signs of vegetation from a friend who was on an extreme north metro lake (Briggs) this past weekend, but more examples can be found from posters in the Metro forum.

It sounds any evidence (I am sure it depends on the CO or inspector) microscopic finger swipings to pencil eraser sized green aquatic leaves found in your trailer frame, bunk brackets, & wheel well area.

I know with the river (after the spring weed bloom algae things is over) chances are slim you are going to come in contact with any weeds.

Just a word of caution going from me to you guys. Tom it could happen. More so after loading from a lake, but I am sure the river is NO exceptions to being subjected to these laying on their backs, and poking in every craves with their finger and flash light inspections. When the CO walks up to your truck window with his finger stuck out, showing you what you have missed on the point of his finger, then the warning being written right after, do not say anyone did not tell ya!

[TheJigMaster]

Does this same rule apply to shore fishing?? I'm guessing yes but needed to ask.

[smnduck]

I wonder how much crying would take place if VHS wiped out some fisheries because "I don't need no more stinkin rules" mentality. Hike up your skirts and follow the law. Easy to do, plain and simple.

[Scott K]

Can I just get a pass that will only allow me to fish the infested lakes, and therefor make me exempt? I swear and cross my heart that I wont take my boat from the Mn River to an non infested lake.

I still want to know how we are suppose to transport bait after we catch them? Carry a pale of city water to the creek, net, then carry them back to the truck, then what? Wait I wonder if my bait tank is legal? Maybe infested on its own, that should have to be inspected weekly or get a ticket, I am about ready to just give up, fishing isnt even fun any more!

Ok, maybe not but jeez!

[rushing]

Its ok, river fishin days are numbered anyways. The carp will be here soon.

[harvey lee]

I guess I have only heard of one instance from a firm source of how close the are looking for any signs of vegetation from a friend who was on an extreme north metro lake (Briggs) this past weekend, but more examples can be found from posters in the Metro forum.

It sounds any evidence (I am sure it depends on the CO or inspector) microscopic finger swipings to pencil eraser sized green aquatic leaves found in your trailer frame, bunk brackets, & wheel well area.

I know with the river (after the spring weed bloom algae things is over) chances are slim you are going to come in contact with any weeds.

Just a word of caution going from me to you guys. Tom it could happen. More so after loading from a lake, but I am sure the river is NO exceptions to being subjected to these laying on their backs, and poking in every craves with their finger and flash light inspections. When the CO walks up to your truck window with his finger stuck out, showing you what you have missed on the point of his finger, then the warning being written right after, do not say anyone did not tell ya!

I am not saying it could not happen but I do check very hard. If I do miss a piece, then so be it.

With close to 45 years of fishing and hunting, I have yet to get a citation.

I try to be very careful.

[Scott K]

Its ok, river fishin days are numbered anyways. The carp will be here soon.

I am not looking forward to it, but they sure look like they would be more fun then catching a bass

[Shack]

Tom I figured you are one of the ones who knows and does everything he can...

I equate this crack down that is showing up as a speeding or DWI crack down. More so to a D.O.T. crack down. Not publicized all that much. Even though I am legal and my truck & trailer is up to or over regulation, you just never know. I could have lost a hunk of my tread on my trailer a couple miles back, did a light just burn out or one of the links on my hold down chains has a defect/fracture I missed?? Then of course the "Did I" or "Didn't I" always comes into play.

I just hate the inspection process (especially legal) in general. Your boating or driving record is in the hands of what is found, not to mention your pocket book. But!!! They keep things in check and are doing it for the good of their cause.

No worries on my skirt getting mud on it. It is hiked up past the thighs when it comes to meeting the MN boating reg's. Just one (or in resent years MORE) things to make sure you have in the right.

[harvey lee]

I agrree Shack that one can miss something but I really try to check it all very close.

The DNR does not need a donation from me.

[Gordie]

Can I just get a pass that will only allow me to fish the infested lakes, and therefor make me exempt? I swear and cross my heart that I wont take my boat from the Mn River to an non infested lake.

I still want to know how we are suppose to transport bait after we catch them? Carry a pale of city water to the creek, net, then carry them back to the truck, then what? Wait I wonder if my bait tank is legal? Maybe infested on its own, that should have to be inspected weekly or get a ticket, I am about ready to just give up, fishing isnt even fun any more!

Ok, maybe not but jeez!

No pass 4WE but I bet they'll make a stamp for it

BTW I will try and follow the rules the best I can if its not good enough guess I'll talk to the judge

[Dennis Steele]

I don't know everything about a rivers environment or even a lakes.

I do know the DNR knows more than my uneducated mind and if they are making these laws to help preserve all the fisheries, both rivers and lake, (both of which I enjoy) I'll try to do my part to help out.

I also beleive if we can contain the problems we are facing with people folowing the laws, then there would be no reason to implement more laws.

Think about it.....

[harvey lee]

I totally agree Dennis.

[rushing]

I don't know everything about a rivers environment or even a lakes.

I do know the DNR knows more than my uneducated mind and if they are making these laws to help preserve all the fisheries, both rivers and lake, (both of which I enjoy) I'll try to do my part to help out.

I also beleive if we can contain the problems we are facing with people folowing the laws, then there would be no reason to implement more laws.

Think about it.....

Dennis, quit making sense! Its scary!