Transporting Leeches

[ducker]

Do you need to bring water to change out for transporting leeches from a lake?

[ClownColor]

yes...

[SXViper]

I don't use leeches all that much, but when I have them I keep them in the cooler in their container. I never put them in the live well. This is the way my dadbalways did it so I kept doing it that way. Never have to worry about having them in lake water. Maybe there is a reason to put them in the live well That I don't know about?

[ANYFISH2]

sxviper, legally the water inside the containers, inside your cooler must be changed before leave the landing. If they(cooler/containers) where inside your boat while on the water.

Just pointing that out.

[bluewater2]

The laws say, bait water not cooler water. I will not dump my cooler (with ice) out just because it was in my boat. And I don't see any where in the laws it say that.

I have no problem changing bait water.

[ANYFISH2]

Bluewater, I was refering to the water inside the bait containers. Just pointing out that just because you kept it in the cooler doesn't exempt it form being changed.

[pikerliker]

I was told by a CO who checked me coming off of Mille Lacs last summer that whether or not you use lake water (ie keeping your leeches in a cooler vs baitwell) you still have to empty that water and use bottled water when you leave the lake. He said that because you are putting your hands in the lake water, handling fish, etc you can still have things on your hands that transfer to your baits water when you put your hands in there to get new bait.

[BobT]

The laws say, bait water not cooler water. I will not dump my cooler (with ice) out just because it was in my boat. And I don't see any where in the laws it say that.

I have no problem changing bait water.

This question came up at our annual meeting with the local CO's. The point of the law is to prevent the transportation of lake water. Any container containing water that was on your boat while it was launched must be emptied upon landing your boat. Doesn't matter what it was carried in, if it was in your boat it is considered lake water and must be dumped. You can talk all you want about not dumping your water but it won't hold up in court if you get caught. Good luck.

[SXViper]

That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. What's next a shower at all accesses to make Sure we are completely clean? I also think the law was intended for baitwells in the boat. Some people even some CO's have no common sense when it comes to interpreting the laws. My guess is if I ever get pulled over I will have to fight my case in court.

[JohnMickish]

You will lose your court case.

[SXViper]

John, Thanks for knowing everything. I am glad we have people like you to keep us minions in our place. If I go to court I will let you know so you can come and tell me "I told you so."

[my4x4yj]

I had this exact conversation with the water resource officer in Saint Cloud at the Sportsman's Show as I also never put lake water in my leeches, his explanation, "I understand your argument but unless I have been in your boat for every second it was on the water I can not see absolute proof that there was not in fact an exchange of water in the container, if you intend to keep the leeches or minnows you will have to have a container of water on shore and totally exchange the water by completely emptying the bait container and replacing the water." therefore there will be very little live bait used in my boat. He wouldn't get into a discussion about drinking water in my boat, probably thought I was getting a bit sarcastic and probably was. His next comment, "There will no longer be any warnings issued."

[raymondk]

Buy the cheap bottles of water keep inside the same cooler until you load your boat up and exchange water before you leave (make sure it is unopened and still sealed) this is one thing a officer told me last year you have proof that it isn't lake water and you give your leeches fresh water.

[Jessie_H]

Before we head to the lake we fill a cooler with well water and keep that in the back of the truck. We were checked by DNR last summer and he suggested the idea. This way IF we catch keeper eyes on Mille Lacs we can legally transport them back to the cabin to clean.

[DTro]

Well nobody has absolute proof where the water in my truck came from either.

Its feel good legislation that will accomplish little to nothing.

[Gordie]

wonder if a britta pitcher would work

[my4x4yj]

Like I said very little if ever any live bait in my boat. It is going to be bad enough that I have to let them crawl all over my boat with a magnifying glass trying to find something to ruin my day with, I am not going to argue with them about the water.

And I'm not exaggerating, last Thursday I had to even dig out the anchors and let them see the ropes to see if there were any "hitchhikers" attached before I could launch. Everything I did was watched and commented on while little notes were taken on a clip board. I asked if my fishing license and registration for the boat was needed too and was told no and he finally walked away.

[Great Outdoors]

I had this exact conversation with the water resource officer in Saint Cloud at the Sportsman's Show as I also never put lake water in my leeches, his explanation, "I understand your argument but unless I have been in your boat for every second it was on the water I can not see absolute proof that there was not in fact an exchange of water in the container, if you intend to keep the leeches or minnows you will have to have a container of water on shore and totally exchange the water by completely emptying the bait container and replacing the water." His next comment, "There will no longer be any warnings issued."

Normally I back CO's and police officers 100%, because they have a tough job.

But the "I need absolute proof you did not exchange water...." troubles me.

What ever happened to the burden of proof lying on the accuser??

[BobT]

Well nobody has absolute proof where the water in my truck came from either.

Its feel good legislation that will accomplish little to nothing.

Derail alert!!!

True but this discussion is not about the sensibiilty of the law but about the legality of transporting live bait, leeches in particular.

[BobT]

Quote:

Normally I back CO's and police officers 100%, because they have a tough job.

But the "I need absolute proof you did not exchange water...." troubles me.

What ever happened to the burden of proof lying on the accuser??

They are enforcing the law. That is exactly what we pay them to do and I expect them to do it to the best of their ability and turning a blind eye to you, me, or anyone else is not necessarily appropriate. Don't blame the CO's for doing what the legislature we voted into office orders them to do.

[Great Outdoors]

They are enforcing the law. That is exactly what we pay them to do and I expect them to do it to the best of their ability and turning a blind eye to you, me, or anyone else is not necessarily appropriate. Don't blame the CO's for doing what the legislature we voted into office orders them to do.

I don't think the legislature ordered them to issue tickets carte blanche, only where a definate violation of the law is concerned!

Early in their careers, young law enforcement officers have a tendency to overreact in certain situations.

This changes with age and experience.

Sometimes it's best that justice be served, rather than following the letter of the law without any wiggle room.

[DTro]

You don't think the MNDNR had any say in this matter? Pfffflllbbbt

[BobT]

I didn't say that so I would politely ask that you don't misrepresent me, thank you. I'm sure they did but again I ask, what does this have to do with answering the question of the thread?

The point is, whether we agree to it or not, if we want to bring our bait home alive we are required to dump all water that was in our boat including water that was in a cooler or bait bucket that we had in our boat and replace the water with water from shore. If you get caught moving a bait bucket from your boat to your truck without replacing the water, it will be your own problem.

Want to start another thread about how stupid the law is, go ahead and I will stand right beside you on your point. I think it is a dumb law but it is the law. Blame the source not the enforcer. The CO does not have the authority to make the laws and is not the source. His job is to enforce the laws that are passed.

[BobT]

I don't think the legislature ordered them to issue tickets carte blanche, only where a definate violation of the law is concerned!

Early in their careers, young law enforcement officers have a tendency to overreact in certain situations.

This changes with age and experience.

Sometimes it's best that justice be served, rather than following the letter of the law without any wiggle room.

Whether justice is served or not is not within the power of law enforcement to decide. That is for the court to decide.

The point of the law is to prevent transporting lake water from one body to another. If a CO was not with you in the boat he is unable to determined whether or not you did or did not introduce lake water into your bait bucket. Therefore, the law requires that ALL water in the boat must be left at the lake including water that was held in bait buckets or coolers.

Those who have raised the question, my recommendation is to avoid taking the chance. Bring water from home to put your bait in if you want to bring it back home with you. A cooler works pretty nice because it keeps the water cool while you're out on the lake.

[DTro]

That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. What's next a shower at all accesses to make Sure we are completely clean? I also think the law was intended for baitwells in the boat. Some people even some CO's have no common sense when it comes to interpreting the laws. My guess is if I ever get pulled over I will have to fight my case in court.

Bob, this thread was derailed from the begining....

The OP's question was answered in the very first reply. After that it became a discussion just like all threads here. There are a few topics that I am personally biased towards and will continue to beat the dead horse given the opportunity and I have no problem admitting that.

This AIS legislation is nothing but a waste of HUGE money and will end up being about as effective as the war on drugs has been.

Stickers, wash stations, boat plugs, hired inspectors, locked gates, checkpoints, blah blah blah.