Netting minnows?

[Hester]

Hello, I thought I was told a couple years ago that you can no longer net minnows for use at a later time. Then I came accross the rules on the DNR HSOforum and I think i'm more confussed than ever. It appears that you can net minnows from a lake not infested with any exotic species, then use the minnows anywhere. If the lake has millfoil then you can keep the minnows but only use them in that particular lake. Is that how you guys understand the rules? Do I need put the minnows into tap water or can I transport lake water?

thanks, Hester

From the DNR HSOforum.

Minnows and Leeches: Licensed anglers may take minnows or leeches for their

own use with dip nets, traps, or seines.

• Taking of wild animals for bait from designated infested waters (see pages

16-17) is unlawful, except for minnows and leeches taken for personal use

from waters infested SOLEY with Eurasian watermilfoil. At these waters,

harvested bait may ONLY be used at the water where taken and may only be

taken using a cylindrical trap not exceeding 16" in diameter and 32" long.

Taking of bait from other infested waters and using them is unlawful.

• Seines may not be over 25 feet long or more than 148 meshes deep with

¼‑inch bar measure, or more than 197 meshes deep with 3⁄16-inch bar

measure.

• Traps used on waters, other than infested, may not exceed a width and length

of 30 inches, height may not exceed 15 inches, the diameter or width of the

opening may not exceed 1½ inches, and mesh size may not exceed ½‑inch bar

measure. Traps must have a waterproof

tag bearing the name and address of

the owner.

• It is unlawful to use throw nets.

• A DNR permit* is required to possess more than 24 dozen minnows or

leeches; to sell, export or import; or to take minnows or leeches from

designated trout waters.

[DTro]

You are right.

But now it gets even more difficult transporting those minnow legally.

My understanding is that you need to transport them in a clean bucket of tap water from home and even if those minnows stay in that bucket, you have to transfer them to another clean bucket of tap water evertime you leave the lake/river to take them home again. I think this even applies to non-infested waters.

I honestly don't understand it fully and could be wrong. All I know is that the DNR is not making it easy to capture and/or re-use live minnows.

[Ed Carlson]

To me, the intent is pretty clear, and some common sense comes into play here as well.

If any species is known to be in that water, nothing should leave that water to go anywhere no matter what.

Nets/traps would also be required to be well cleaned when used in the lake.

If you live on a lake with concerns and you can trap bait there for use on that lake only. It should be kept there and in the lake water and never transported elsewhere.