Changes to Cats Incredible Contest

[DTro]

I really don't like AIS laws that dont use common sense.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/225618/

[Scott M]

It all started with a request to move a FLW tournament offsite at Leech to Northern Lights Casino a few years ago. When the answer for that was no and it was moved to an on-site location, the precedent was set. If either state allows one group to do it, everybody will want to do it, including non-tournament anglers. What did you want them to do? Somebody would complain and then next year you'd see cops waiting to pull guys over with fish in livewells on their way upstream around Riverside Dam.

[DTro]

I guess I'm with this guy:

"The biggest problem I have is it's the same body of water. You're moving fish from a mile down the stream to the same body of water. What's the difference?" angler Bruce Nelson said

[Scott M]

It's an issue unique to tournaments:

Under North Dakota law, it now is illegal to transport water and fish in live wells or other large on-board containers once a boat leaves the launch site. At the same time, Minnesota invasive species laws require that live wells be drained and plugs removed from boats on all state roadways.

Let one group do it for a tournament and someone that isn't allowed to do it on the same day will cry foul.

[hanson]

As someone who's fished this tournament plenty of times from the "North" ramp, I always wondered about how long we'd be able to transport live fish to an offsite weigh-in, particularly across state lines. The "South" ramp landing is on the East Grand Forks or Minnesota side of the river, the "North" ramp landing is on the Grand Forks or North Dakota side of the river. I've always seen this crossing the state line thing as an issue.

To be completely honest, I've warmed up to this change as I think it establishes a "fairer" playing field. Its also going to be a heck of a lot more convenient getting fish to the scale. Those who have fished the north know what I'm talking about with the time constraints, parking situation, and getting your live fish into your vehicle to get them to the weigh-in... particularly when they don't have enough volunteers on 4 wheelers to help you out.

Drawback will be the boat ramp will be a PIA with everyone launching from the same spot. Will just have to adjust plans accordingly.

As for tournaments in general, most of you should know I'm a fan and participant. This will be my 4th year fishing the FLW Walleye Tour as a Co-Angler and I've fished from Lake Erie to Lake Oahe. Minnesota at least allows catch and eventual release of tournament fish still. The FLW's system is incredible and there is a high release rate of those fish. However... a few states have just decided its catch & kill with the fish donated to the local food shelf. At least in Minnesota, we haven't been legislated to that point yet... we get to still release them once the tournament is done.

[DTro]

Yeah well it is what it is I guess. A single location does make better sense.

I guess I just literally feel our laws constricting us to the point of making us all criminals without us even knowing it and this is just another nail in the coffin.

I'm very concerned about our lakes and rivers and protecting them, but have a hard time believing anything we do is going to make a real difference and to me personally it's a much bigger issue than this specific tournament.

[hanson]

I do totally agree with you Darren with your sentiments on regulation.

I am very excited about what the catfisherman have been able to do with getting their voice heard with the DNR. I know the Roundtable is this weekend... I'll be down there as well, although in the NPAA room.

I honestly believe fisherman have been unfairly targeted with the spread of invasive species. The last few discoveries of zebra mussels should reinforce that, i.e lake shore owners transporting boat lifts and/or docks with zebras on them.

[fiskyknut]

I'm not surprised by this. Considering transport of live fishes has been a no no for quite some time in Mn I'm surprised the MnDNR did'nt raise a ruckus years back.

Why not a second weigh station on the N side? More red tape er sumtin.

Odd they're cutting number of teams allowed.

[proguide]

As someone who knew about this long before it was public all I can say is this was the best logistical option available from both a law and volunteer standpoint. I understand the concerns of all and involved especially the North End Guys but North Dakota killed this one. I think in the end all will be well.

This is a good spot to add this. Try being a guide up here where there is now three sets of regs that must be followed depending on where you launch and which of the two licenses the clients have or which state they live in. I with these round tables were closer address this, but I have started on my own trying to bring the states back to the table to update the Red River Anglers Guide so the river has one set of rules again instead of three.

[DTro]

I've heard a rumor about The Red being classified as infested??? Does that mean no more havesting Goldeyes???

[proguide]

I've heard a rumor about The Red being classified as infested??? Does that mean no more havesting Goldeyes???

I guess I never thought about it but I suppose it does.