AIS on Ice

[TruthWalleyes]

What special rules do we need to be aware of when transfering bait from lake to lake this winter?

[pikestabber]

FROM THE NEW INTERIM WINTER REGULATIONS:

"When transferring live bait-fish from one lake to the next, all minnows must be completely frozen before leaving the lake. Please note, you cannot 'block freeze' bait-fish; rather, they have to be individually frozen and packaged separately in vacuum bags with a 1"x3" ID tag listing species name, weight in grams, eye color, skin condition, and intended species they will be used for.

Upon entering the new lake, you may thaw out your minnows in a tin coffee can (not brand specific) over a Mr. Heater Cooker (in the upright position only!). Once thawed, you must give each minnow individual CPR (the life saving kind, not the camera and swimming free kind). If mouth-to-mouth is not possible, you can use a HMRF (Human to Minnow Reducer Funnel), but please note, you cannot reuse the HMFR once you leave the lake unless it is thoroughly scrubbed with 180 degree water and a bleach-infused cleaning agent. HMRF units must be allowed to air dry for no fewer than 3 days at 60 degrees or above.

All remaining minnows from your second trip may not be reused. The must be consumed orally before leaving the lake. Once on shore, a CO will assist you in checking all bait-fish remains after their 'exit.' This must happen before you leave the landing to ensure your bait is no longer an AIS threat. Thank you for your cooperation."

[TruthWalleyes]

[that_guy]

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

wait, are you serious?!?!? LOL

[fishersofmen]

Ha ha well done Pike.

[Alagnak]

That's obviously a VERY condensed version of what is really printed in the regs because in the regs it's 117 pages on this topic alone. ;-) At least they have it in 13 languages though.

[TruthWalleyes]

I'm guessing this still applies:

Page 12

If keeping bait, you must exchange water in bait buckets with tap or bottled water prior to leaving any waterbody to prevent the spread of aquatic invasivespecies or fish diseases.

[CaptainMusky]

Dont forget to put the sticker on your auger!!!

[fishnowworknever]

I'm guessing this still applies:

Page 12

If keeping bait, you must exchange water in bait buckets with tap or bottled water prior to leaving any waterbody to prevent the spread of aquatic invasivespecies or fish diseases.

but what if my bottled water is frozen ?

I'll take the chance and have the DNR tell me my blue tinted water from the bait shop is actually lake water. We'll see how far that goes.

[MN-FishGuy]

Zebra Mussel Veligers, which are microscopic and one of the reasons behind the law on transporting water, have not been found to be present in the cold, winter months. Veligers typically first start appearing in late May early June, and usually disappear by October. Zebra Mussels have certain water temps that are most desirable for reproduction, which in Minnesota typically has been late spring to early fall. The DNR is performing some research this winter to help support these observations, water samples from various lakes in MN will be tested this winter for veligers. However, adult zebra mussels are still alive in the winter and could be attached to aquatic plants, so you still should not transport aquatic plants. It it against the law to transport aquatic plants year-round.

Here is the law in Minnesota Statutes 84D.10.

Subd. 4. Persons transporting water-related equipment.

(a) When leaving waters of the state a person must drain water-related equipment holding water and live wells and bilges by removing the drain plug before transporting the water-related equipment off the water access site or riparian property.

( 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 water-related equipment.

© Emergency response vehicles and equipment may be transported on a public road with the drain plug or other similar device replaced only after all water has been drained from the equipment upon leaving the water body.

(d) Portable bait containers used by licensed aquatic farms, portable bait containers when fishing through the ice except on waters designated infested for viral hemorrhagic septicemia, and marine sanitary systems are exempt from this subdivision.

[crappiecouple]

Sticker on auger???????????

[LMITOUT]

I'm guessing this still applies:

Page 12

If keeping bait, you must exchange water in bait buckets with tap or bottled water prior to leaving any waterbody to prevent the spread of aquatic invasivespecies or fish diseases.

It does not pertain to ice fishing.

[CaptainMusky]

Sticker on auger???????????

Dont you remember that lame Informational sticker we were supposed to put on our boats?

[MN-FishGuy]

I feel like every new idea on AIS prevention focuses on stickers, our boats are going to be completely covered in stickers!

[gixxer01]

What if a chunk of Ice from Lake A sticks to the bottom of my house and accidently ends up in Lake B? Could I get a fine for transporting infested Lake water? I wonder if they'll want a 5 day dryout on fish houses too? Not quite sure they thought this entire policy through very carefully. Boating I can understand, but they better not try to enforce this on ice fisherman.

[Rick G]

FROM THE NEW INTERIM WINTER REGULATIONS:

"When transferring live bait-fish from one lake to the next, all minnows must be completely frozen before leaving the lake. Please note, you cannot 'block freeze' bait-fish; rather, they have to be individually frozen and packaged separately in vacuum bags with a 1"x3" ID tag listing species name, weight in grams, eye color, skin condition, and intended species they will be used for.

Upon entering the new lake, you may thaw out your minnows in a tin coffee can (not brand specific) over a Mr. Heater Cooker (in the upright position only!). Once thawed, you must give each minnow individual CPR (the life saving kind, not the camera and swimming free kind). If mouth-to-mouth is not possible, you can use a HMRF (Human to Minnow Reducer Funnel), but please note, you cannot reuse the HMFR once you leave the lake unless it is thoroughly scrubbed with 180 degree water and a bleach-infused cleaning agent. HMRF units must be allowed to air dry for no fewer than 3 days at 60 degrees or above.

All remaining minnows from your second trip may not be reused. The must be consumed orally before leaving the lake. Once on shore, a CO will assist you in checking all bait-fish remains after their 'exit.' This must happen before you leave the landing to ensure your bait is no longer an AIS threat. Thank you for your cooperation."

Now thats funny you had me going untill the end of the last paragraph

Sad thing is that it's likley not too far from the truth.

[CAMAN]

Pike, how did you write that in less than 18 minutes? I don't think I could write something even half that great if I had 18 years!

Well played!

[TruthWalleyes]

What if a chunk of Ice from Lake A sticks to the bottom of my house and accidently ends up in Lake B? Could I get a fine for transporting infested Lake water? I wonder if they'll want a 5 day dryout on fish houses too? Not quite sure they thought this entire policy through very carefully. Boating I can understand, but they better not try to enforce this on ice fisherman.

I can't remember an ice fishing trip where i didn't put some lake water in my minnow bucket...If you think ice fisherman will be exempt for long your sadly mistaken

I'd venture as far to say that ice fisherman transfer more lake water over the winter than summer fisherman do. Good thing DNR doesn't think transfering in the winter is a problem - yet.

[pikestabber]

Pike, how did you write that in less than 18 minutes? I don't think I could write something even half that great if I had 18 years!

Well played!

Something about DNR rules and regulations inspire me...

[poutpro]

From MN DNR AIS Specialist:

In short: To answer your question, as of July 2012, portable bait containers do NOT need to be drained when fishing through the ice, except when in VHS (viral hemorrhagic septicemia) designated waters. Currently, Lake Superior as well as the St. Louis River (downstream of the Fond du Lac dam) and the tributaries to Lake Superior (either the entire length of the tributary or on tributaries that have been posted upstream to the posted boundaries) are the only areas in the state that have VHS, but the designated infested waters list should be consulted occasionally, as it gets updated a number of times a year.

Background: Prior to the June 2012 legislative session, everyone would need to drain all bait year-round, but in June 2012, it was decided to make an exception during winter when there was ice on the lakes. The reasoning is that the risk of transporting invasive species in water during the winter months is very low, with the exception of VHS, which is a virus that survives cold water (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_diseases/vhs.html).

Current designated waters list:

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/invasives/infested_waters.pdf

Where the bait draining law are located in statute; see subdivision 4 (d):

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=84D.10

Unfortunately due to staff turnover and workloads, the DNR HSOforum has not yet been updated to reflect this change. This change should be occurring soon. I will send another email when the DNR HSOforum is updated.

I am happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Happy fishing!

Christine M. Herwig

Invasive Species Specialist

[TruthWalleyes]

Thanks for the info.