Are Yo Yo's legal to use in MN

[LindellProStaf]

I saw awhile back someone had the DNR rules on fishing devices. I can't find it now. Yo Yo's are those retractable devices from Arkansas. They don't have enough spring to reel in a fish but do retract when pulled on. Anyone know the official law on these?

[Alagnak]

If you have to ask- it's certainly not legal in MN the land of 10,000 laws and one line.

[LindellProStaf]

Ya good point......

[ZachD]

The use of explosives, firearms, chemicals (not including fish scents), spring

devices, or electricity for taking fish is unlawful

Yo-Yo Automatic Fishing Reels

This automatic fishing reel is great for docks, boats, or bank lines because the hook is set without you being there. Galvanized reel features stainless steel springs. This reel with 60 lb. test line is available per 3 or per 12.

[LindellProStaf]

AH HA.... Thanks Zack. Too bad. They look like a fun little way to ice fish.

[Chad Holst]

They are also a way people would fish more than two lines. Dnr comes knocking... Slap the reel and it zips all the extra lines out in a flash. There is no reason they should be in an ice house. Imo

[Rick G]

Kind of takes all the fun/ sport out of fishing, wouldn't it?

[creepworm]

Kind of takes all the fun/ sport out of fishing, wouldn't it?

No more than a rattle reel.

[ZachD]

No more than a rattle reel.

So would you say the same thing of tip ups too?

[20lbSloughShark]

I disagree, rattle reels and tip ups are usually harder to use than a rod. They are just great because you can spread them out and they work while you don't. I always set a rattle reel when I go to sleep, and if one hits, I'll get the rod back out.

While on the topic of MN laws, I have never got a clear answer. Everything I find in the reg book says that to be considered a lure, it has to have hooks. Does any lure without hooks count as a line down?

[castmaster]

No more than a rattle reel.

[Rick G]

No more than a rattle reel.

So your rattle reels are spring loaded?

[Sonicrunch]

... I have never got a clear answer. Everything I find in the reg book says that to be considered a lure, it has to have hooks. Does any lure without hooks count as a line down?

I doubt it. Decoys don't have hooks, and there is no law regarding the number of decoys allowed.

[20lbSloughShark]

I've thought about that too, but your only allowed one line when spearing. I don't see why it would be wrong, but I could definitely see a dnr officer arguing it. Most are cool, but plenty are straight up jerks.

[creepworm]

So your rattle reels are spring loaded?

Nope, and I never said that, in fact, I do not own a rattle reel.

Yo-Yo's do not reel the fish in for you, they do not set the hook for you, they simply keep pressure on the fish using spring loaded tension. Really no different than a jaw jacker or a tip up that uses a fishing rod and sets the hook once something bites.

I happen to agree with the original poster that it would be a fun way to fish (while under supervision from an angler) and disagree that it takes the fun or "sport" out of fishing.

[jentz]

Doesn't the DNR rules state NO mechanical devices.Kinda like throw nets they are illegal but they are sold here in Mn.I'd say ilegal cause its a mechanical device.

[FearNoFish]

I believe that Jaw Jacker are illegal to use in Minn because of the automatic hook set. Or a rod that is pre-loaded and set to unload when a fish bites.

[creepworm]

I believe that Jaw Jacker are illegal to use in Minn because of the automatic hook set. Or a rod that is pre-loaded and set to unload when a fish bites.

I believe you are correct.

A comment was made insinuating yo-yo's are not sporting or fun to use, I commented on that, and this has seemed to get off topic and somewhat out of control.

But yes, yo-yo's and jaw jackers are illegal in MN.

[ZachD]

Doesn't the DNR rules state NO mechanical devices.Kinda like throw nets they are illegal but they are sold here in Mn.I'd say ilegal cause its a mechanical device.

My above post earlier was straight from the book

[castmaster]

Heres from the Cabelas site...

Yo-Yo Automatic Fishing Reels

This automatic fishing reel is great for docks, boats, or bank lines because the hook is set without you being there. Galvanized reel features stainless steel springs. This reel with 60 lb. test line is available per 3 or per 12.

Here's a quick youtube video...

But nope, they dont set the hook and take the line up eh???

[castmaster]

And another video...

Appears the size of the fish plays a big part in how much line is taken up after the hook is set. The smaller cat at the beginning has a very short lead left out while the bigger cat has a fair amount of line left out.

[Chad Holst]

lets all be honest here... They have been around for EVER, i have seen them in several houses...and they were ALL being used for 1 reason, and one reason only... To fish multiple ILLEGAL lines, and if a DNR officer came up, they could go ..Boom, boom, boom, and the extra lines would all be out of the water in about 2 seconds.

Not one time, in all my years ice fishing, ice drinking, ice gathering, ice watching...have i seen 1 single person use a yo-yo type reel that was to NOT fish extra lines on the DL.

If you were really going to use this product, and wanted to be in the "spirit" of the law. Then A) you wouldnt need it to set the hook for you. you wouldnt need it to reel the fish in for you. So the question is, why would you actually use it then? if not for these two reasons, both are not "in the spirit" of the laws of MN, then what other reason would you have...other than the formentioned "multi line quick retreive" to fish more than 2 lines.

I had this argument, with a guy in bemidji several years ago, and he tried to give me a valid use. He said that he likes to use it in his spear house, so he can be fishing with his pole, and then have this yo-yo type reel down, like a ratle reel, attached to the wall. if a northern comes in, he can slap the yo-yo and get it up, so he can then spear the northern. Sounds like a good reason, and legit..except you can only fish 1 line, will spearing! Again, it was used to fish more than one line...all be it, not to slite the DNR..but it was the same thing in the end..no good reason.

[castmaster]

Creepworm or others...

You say they look like a fun way to fish, provided the angler is watching the yoyo and not leaving it unattended. Please share your thoughts on what it is about the yoyo design that would make it a fun way to fish if used in that manner.

[Fowlmouth]

The yo yo will not reel up the fish.. with that being said the dnr should outlaw trolling in mn according to some of you then. while trolling especially lead cord for walleyes or spoons and rapalas for notherns there is no need to set the hook because the trolling motion sets the hook for you.. essentially what the yo yo does. some of you all need to get your undies out of a bunch.

[Fowlmouth]

lets all be honest here... They have been around for EVER, i have seen them in several houses...and they were ALL being used for 1 reason, and one reason only... To fish multiple ILLEGAL lines, and if a DNR officer came up, they could go ..Boom, boom, boom, and the extra lines would all be out of the water in about 2 seconds.

Not one time, in all my years ice fishing, ice drinking, ice gathering, ice watching...have i seen 1 single person use a yo-yo type reel that was to NOT fish extra lines on the DL.

If you were really going to use this product, and wanted to be in the "spirit" of the law. Then A) you wouldnt need it to set the hook for you. you wouldnt need it to reel the fish in for you. So the question is, why would you actually use it then? if not for these two reasons, both are not "in the spirit" of the laws of MN, then what other reason would you have...other than the formentioned "multi line quick retreive" to fish more than 2 lines.

I had this argument, with a guy in bemidji several years ago, and he tried to give me a valid use. He said that he likes to use it in his spear house, so he can be fishing with his pole, and then have this yo-yo type reel down, like a ratle reel, attached to the wall. if a northern comes in, he can slap the yo-yo and get it up, so he can then spear the northern. Sounds like a good reason, and legit..except you can only fish 1 line, will spearing! Again, it was used to fish more than one line...all be it, not to slite the DNR..but it was the same thing in the end..no good reason.

That's kind of a an assumption or opinion of yours sir lips isn't it that they are only used to fish illegal extra lines? Also what kind of people do you fish with because you mention you have witnessed people using them to fish illegal multiple lines and poach. Sounds like you need new fishing buddies, have you called TIP when you witnessed this all?