Using a gaff?

[BobT]

Is it permitted to use a gaff?

[mainbutter]

from the regs:

- (canada/mn border) A person cannot possess or use a gaff while fishing on the Rainy River

- (sodak/mn border) It is unlawful to possess a spear, spring gaff, or bow and arrow on or adjacent to any

body of water where the spearing and archery season is closed.

I've always assumed it is, but your local CO is just a phone call away, and the DNR is even easier to contact via email, if not necessarily as immediate to repsond.

Please don't gaff fish if there is a chance you'll release them. Even those lip grippers (not ideal for esox for sure) are a better choice than gaffs for a potential release. There is still potential for harm for any fish you use a lip gripper on, but a gaffed fish is a dead fish unless it's very lucky.

[mn86]

landing the toothy critters by hand is half the adrenaline rush anyway!