Beans in the hole

[MJ1657]

I have heard guys talking about putting beans in their spear hole to see bottom better. I have a couple questions.

Is this legal and what kind of beans do you use?

[Laska]

great northern white beans is what I use, Ive never had a single issue with them down the hole.

[BOUNCED]

I have heard guys talking about putting beans in their spear hole to see bottom better. I have a couple questions.

Is this legal and what kind of beans do you use?

Here is the response I received from Kevin Kyle with the MNDNR

"A hand full or two to break up the bottom a bit is okay, a bucket load dumped would not be. Kevin"

[blue_healer_guy]

I have always sliced a potato, about an 1/8 th inch and had good luck with about ten of them.

[MJ1657]

Thanks for checking that out spearhead.

[merkman]

Ask 4 CO's and you will get 5 answers.

Even if you ask St Paul to clarify you still get conflicting answers.

St Paul says:

Quote:

From: merkman

Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 3:15 PM

To: Watts, Pat M (DNR)

Subject: Potatoes or egg shells in darkhouse spearing hole

Is it legal to use potatoes, egg shells, white beans, rice, or other inert biodegradable items on lake bottom under the darkhouse spearing hole?

How about non inert items such as pvc pipe or lattice to better judge the size of northern pike in the hole as long as those items are removed after use every day?

Thanks

merkman

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Watts, Pat M (DNR)"

To: merkman

Sent: Mon, April 12, 2010 3:24:25 PM

Subject: RE: Potatoes or egg shells in darkhouse spearing hole

There’s a potential problem with littering under Minnesota Statutes, section 609.68.

Too much biodegradable stuff put into/on the lake can cause problems as it degrades.

Pipe or lattice could be considered litter as well.

Pat Watts, DNR Enforcement Division, St Paul MN

The MnDNR HSOforum says:

Quote:

You can also estimate the length of a pike longer than 40 inches by using a 40-inch marker, such as a piece of PVC pipe, and compare the length of the fish to the marker.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/baudette/pikespearing.html

I see no reason not to be able to put items down the hole (within reason) as long as they are brought back up every night. I do it with my decoy. I certainly can have "decoys" that lay on the bottom of the hole.

We are expected to be able to darkhouse spear on slot limit lakes and guess the length of a live northern pike underneath us 100% correct 100% of the time, then the MnDNR wants to take away the tools that will allow us to better judge the length of a legal fish. Darned if you do, darned if you don't I guess.

If putting down a piece of PVC pipe then removing it every night is littering we might as well prosecute all fishermen who have left a rapplaa and/or a lead sinker on a snag at the bottom of the lake. Just my two sense.

-Merk

[reinhard1]

i dont see putting the pvc pipe to judge measurments temporarily as a big deal and i cant see you getting a ticket for it if it is removed the same day. my goodness, how about docks in the lake, paddles are wood and plastic as well, bobbers, and as you said various lures. fish scents plastic worms and so on. i do think leaving pvc pipe intentionaly should be considerd littering if its discarded in the water and left there. good luck.

[glenn57]

great northern white beans is what I use, Ive never had a single issue with them down the hole.

YEP, LASKA AND THE BEANSTALK!!!!!!! i can see it already!!!!