Is This Legal?

[riverrat56]

I dont think his intention was to go trolling or test lures, he wanted to see how his rods and reels performed, my guess would be casting was what he inteded to do, I would see no reason ( using the information given)why a CO could ticket you for this especially if you are in open water and using a floating crank, this would basically take away all chance on catching a fish.

RR56

[SXViper]

I think this would be legal. It is not illegal to catch a walleye out of season. It is illegal to fish for them out of season. This guy is not fishing out of season, he is testing his equipment.

[slick814]

Like I said when I emailed the DNR on this.. the hooks are removed, and he's not targeting anything.. just testing equipment, and their response was that it's perfectly legal as long as the intent to catch fish isn't there(removing hooks is considered not attempting to catch fish).

Why not avoid the possiblility altogether and buy a practice plug? If you're just checking on how rods & reels are working, that'd be the way I'd try it....

[HawgTide]

Cheektowaga, I'm right there with you and the others that want to fish for Northerns. When fishing season comes around I go fishing for whatevers in season! Since I've been living here in Minnesota, almost every Pike I've caught was on a spinnerbait or crankbait. The first thing I read on where to catch big Northerns said to go to the weeds at the first of the season and use Big spinnerbaits.

So why is it people want to think that your Bass fishing? Isn't it legal to target Northerns when their season opens?

[LocalGuide]

HawgTide, Were all in the same boat on this one. I get a good laugh from the weird looks I get. I know all Im fishing for is Pike and it works great to use spinnerbaits.

Plus since when are spinnerbaits only allowed for bass fishing? Some people never heard of using them for anything else but bass. Same goes for buzzbaits, I catch quite a few pike on them too.

[Ed Carlson]

It is a case of intent. You can use whatever lure you wish to fish for whatever fish is open to be fished at the time. There are no laws against lure selection per species on the books.

The CO and the judge will determine intent or the angler would with his comments...or all three.

If they see you trolling cranks and catching walleye and taking a few pics and then releasing them that is sufficient to prove intent. If you then continue to troll and catch more walleye out of season that too is intent. If you return again and again and walleye are the predominant species your catching during a closed season your intent is clean enough to the CO to issue a citation.

We seen this dilemma on the Red River back when the MN regs and the ND regs differed from each other on the opening date...it was a mess. CO's issued harassment and intent to fish a species out of season situations at will to MN residents who were "Fishing for crappie, catfish, or suckers". Most went to court and many got off, but not all, as the conflicting regs were a joke. Now they agree on the regs, or at least they both fallow the same regs on the Red.

Yes legally you can troll cranks for whatever species you wish...it is "The intent" in the eyes of others, the CO, and the judge that will hang ya.

[bankdick]

Gosh, wouldn't that be like being dressed in orange clothing during the deer season and sitting on a stand with no bullets in your gun or on you????

Rubber bands are for stretching....but they can break!

[kato811]

wont it be a lot easier on all of us if the fish olny bit when there species are in season LOL

[Pig_sticka]

You can always cast on land.

They have casting plugs that are used for such purposes.

But then would you be targeting squirrels

[LocalGuide]

No its more fun to target squirrels with a cob of corn attached to your line. You can even adjust the weight that way too. If you want it lighter just take some corn off but to make it heavier that might be a issue. Also after a few casts the corn might break off. So make those critical casts count! Lol

[Pig_sticka]

The red squirrels fight the best

[gunflint]

Would you use a superline or mono for red squirrels?

[LocalGuide]

I would use superline. Its kind of like fishing for pike or bass. If your casting those big plugs or hauling the pigs out of the thick stuff, the superline will hold up better. Its even harder for them to get the idea of biting you off.

Also since it has no stretch you can feel every little bite or piece of cover you stumble over. They wont have a chance!

I forgot to mention, them birds are a sucker for plastic worms too! lol

[chunkytrout]

In the electrical trade we have a term. "Authority having juridiction" Fancy term for he can write you up/make you change it if he doesn't like it. Regardless of what the codebook says. I'd say it's up to the CO. I build cowbells and a few times have dragged them behind the boat to check action and flash (with no hooks or baits) during offseason. In hindsight, it maybe wasn't the smartest thing to do.