Carp Regulations

[Trailblazer]

Friend told me yesterday that the MN rule is to kill every carp you catch. I told him he was full of $%^&!!!!!

What is the rule for this? How many can you keep? I hear they are good smoked?

[Crawlerman]

Yeah. That is total talk. Doing that if nothing else makes a mess for the parks department to clean up as well . I know there are still a number of people with that mentality, but it is starting to change... slowly...

There are however no limits to what you can keep. Fishing for carp is continuos, and gives a lot of us something to do after Ice out. Carp are know to have high levels of mercury (most large fish species are.) so make sure you get them out of clean water before you do anything with them.

[Roughfisher]

There used to be a law against releasing carp, but it was repealed back in the 50's or 60's. A lot of fishermen still think it is illegal to release carp and suckers though. It takes a lot of argument to disabuse them of that ridiculous notion.

[pulsar_nx]

I think I have herd that letting the big ones go is benificial, because if you take the big ones their will be many more small ones taking their place, stiring up the water. thats why the dnr doesn't net them anymore.

[Nels]

It is in the Regulation booklet:
Any fish that is caught and will not be utilized must be returned alive back to the water. A person cannot wantonly waste a fish that is caught by leaving it or any usable portion on the ice, thrown up on the bank, or intentionally killing it and returning it back into the water unless authorized.

Nels

[Crawlerman]

The only exceptions to this are Lamprey, Ruffe and some kinda goby. I'd bet Grass Carp may soon be on that list.

But as far as common carp goes, it falls under what Nels said.

[Lost]

I thought I read somewhere that it's also illegal to use Carp as cut bait.

Not sure why it would be though.

[TonyCarpBoy]

Folks are right, eat 'em or release 'em but don't just kill 'em.

Someone asked about limit. They are continuous with no limit. Eat the mid sized fish, the big ones are full of mercury thanks to the coal industry.

Tony

[Failin'onPhalen]

I've also been told they are better eating in the spring/cool water.