QS rig laws

[cjac]

I'm tying up a few QS rigs tonight for pike fishing, do I still need the bead or little blade to classify as a lure and make it legal?

Stipid law, but I heard it was close to going away, anyone have the latest?

[DTro]

There is a new rule and here is our (MN DNR) attempt at explaining it for the 2012 fishing regulations:

· Single Tackle Configuration. Anglers may use up to three single or multiple hooks on a line used as a single tackle configuration attached to the end of a fishing line (Examples – crawler harness, quick-strike rig) ). Note: a single tackle configuration cannot be used on designated trout streams and lakes.

o The total length of the single tackle configuration must be nine inches or less

o Anglers may use live, artificial, preserved, or dead bait that is lawful to use (see pages 11-12).

o A single tackle configuration is not considered an artificial fly or lure.

Let us know if you have questions.

Sincerely,

DNR Information Center

500 Lafayette Rd

St. Paul, MN 55155-4040

651-296-6157

1-888-646-6367

[ClownColor]

Great info DTro....Now I'm going to have to dig through the regs to find this (I need the comfort of reading it for myself). Was this an email sent or did you pull this from the regs somewhere? any info on where you found it would be great!

[cjac]

Thanks Dtro.....I thought that info was floating around.

Well, in looking at my previously tied pike ice fishing QS rigs they're longer than 9 inches in total, measuring from the back hook up to the barrel swivel to tie into my main tip-up line. Where's my wire cutters?

My open water muskie sucker QS rigs are close to 7-8 inches between hooks alone, so this modified reg doesn't do much good in that arena. Ugh.....

Frustrating when you're trying to do the right thing and be C&R oriented and fish-friendly first but you have to jump through hoops to do so.

[DTro]

cjac, you have to pinch the tail.

This info is floating around on the interwebz. I don't have a hard confirmation of an actual rule change, but it was mentioned at a DNR workshop I was at recently that the rule might have taken effect some time in Nov and the CO's were advised about the upcoming change and not to enforce the "old" regs.

I understand though, this is not a hard source. I'd like to read it in the regs for myself too.

[DTro]

This might help posted on Nov 21 2011

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=6262&view=chapter

Subp. 6.

Angling tackle.

A.

An angler may have up to three single or multiple hooks on a line used as a single tackle configuration attached to the end of a fishing line. The total configuration from the first hook to the last hook must be nine inches or less. Live, artificial, preserved, or dead bait is allowed. This configuration is not considered an artificial bait or fly.

B.

An angler may have one additional single or multiple hook on a line as part of an artificial bait as long as it is within three inches of the artificial bait.

C.

Except for a single artificial bait or three artificial flies, an angling rig with more than one hook is not allowed on designated trout streams and lakes.

[cjac]

Easy answer to my own Q is to buy a $2 6 pack of little blades and be done with it and steer clear of any interpretation issues of the written law. I was just curious if the reg had been modified.

Silly part is I'll spend far more in gas to buy the blades than they cost. Oh well....

Thanks again for the info Dtro, good luck fishing this weekend & be safe if you get out, which I'm sure you will!