Is that legal

[FI Guide]

While out fishing yesterday I saw a guy that looked like he was throwing a spinnerbait. I am pretty sure that its not legal but what can the dnr do to a person that is fishing like that out of season?

[DTro]

I would say a spinnerbait at this time of the year is a no no......however if it was one of the smaller bait's one could say he was targeting crappies as they will hit a spinnerbait.

I don't know, anyone else had it up to "here" with the lack of self control lately?

[Chev_trucks501]

Yeah Lack of Self Control really sucks. I am SOOOOO tempted to start throwing topwater baits....ARRGGHHHHHH!!!

But I don't cause it is a no no. But we shouldn't jump to conclusions.

I was fishing on Lake Minnentonka a few weeks ago (shortly after ice out) and some guy on the shore presumed I was fishing for bass, so he was yelling at me. Well I have a bass boat so he must have thought that I was targeting bass. I told him that if I was targeting bass I would not be using a CRAPPIE MINNOW UNDER A BOBBER! Sheesh! Better go back and check the regs again...

Well Good Luck!

Chev

[hanson]

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...anyone else had it up to "here" with the lack of self control lately?

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Yes.

There are many other species of fish that you can fish right now without resorting to throwing a spinnerbait. Expand you ability as an angler and try something new.

[kpj5br]

This is about the 20th post I've seen just like this, throwing a spinnerbait before bass opener.

There is one answer, and one answer only to this, "you should call the TIP line when you witness activity you believe is illegal, and let the DNR handle it."

The other option is to attempt to "educate" other anglers, but in my experience, typically that's more trouble than it's worth.

...and didn't you hear the new law, no bass boats on any lake except border waters before bass opener...

[sami0115]

if you have got the urge, go hit the river below Ford dam. it is open year round.

[montanagriz]

Personally, I think calling TIP if you see someone throwing a spinnerbait before opener is going a little overboard. You are probably right, 99% of the time a guy throwing a spinnerbait before opener is most likely fishing for bass. However 99.9% of the time I would guess they are releasing the fish, and just couldn't wait for the bass season to start. I personally don't do it, crappies are more fun this time of year anyway. Now if you see a stringer full of bass and the guy is throwing a slip bobber with a big shiner or sucker minnow...get the DNR on speed dial!

[ogre]

I learned last year, if you have a smaller Jon boat that can tip easy, don't give anyone a dirty look for throwing spinners early......The results are not pretty! A bigger boat circling you makes big waves!

[EYEHUNTER10]

How about all them 12 year old or younger kids throwing spinnerbaits theyre out catching bass here every single day from shore I talked to them but it didn't change anything. I'd feel bad calling tip on them but am a little upset at the fact they caught 12 bass the other day I caught 0 fish on my tube jig

[kpj5br]

montana, i agree 100%, I wouldn't do it, I'm just saying that it seems to bother some a great deal, so my suggestion is, call the TIP line if you're that bothered.

Depending on what county the lake is in, you'll probably get laughed off the phone (Dakota county has like 2 COs for the whole county, for example), but you never know.

From my standpoint, I don't know of any laws that specifically say you can't use certain baits (with the exception of trout stream laws), as long as something is open, so I don't even know if the DNR could do anything let alone would do anything in this case, but again, that's what they're their for, so call them if you're upset.

I personally would not like to see the regs grow even more and explicitely define what is a "bass lure, a crappie lure, a walleye lure, etc.", that would be a nightmare, but to each his own.

[CrappieJohn]

There are times when people simply don't know the rules. If it is driving you to distraction, motor over and simply let them know that they are probably breaking the law. You've done the right thing, and if they continue, you can't say they were not warned.

[EYEHUNTER10]

Ya I seen them doing it again I'll tell them once more or cal t.i.p. I just simply cant fish the spot with them casting buzzblades all over the $%#*!! place! Rediculous they know I told them the day before. These kids now days

[fishingmike0770]

Kids arent the only problem, ive seen numerous adults that throw bass baits before the season. It can be that they just dont care about the laws and regulations or they are not aware. Ive been out ice fishing for pannies, catching good sunfish and then we went and asked a group of older guys what the limit for sunnies were. Not one of them knew, with all the rules changing year to year alot of them just dont pay attention anymore. We found a book in the truck and told them what the limit was.

A lot of people dont understand that some of the daily fish limits are also the posession limits. This is again lack of reading new laws and regs.

Correct me if im wrong, once you reach a certain age, seniors dont need to buy a license?

[HoleHopper]

FishingMike, I am not sure of the answer to your question. However, take the fallowing into concideration.

My parents have recently retired and lived and paid taxes in MN there whole life. They winter in Arazona and stay at there cabin up north in the summer. They now have to buy a non resident licence.

[LiLBro]

Just to clear something up, it is legal to fish the Mississippi River for anything right, i believe it has no closed seasons. also what are all the species that are open right now?

[guideman]

The issues discussed here are simply a matter of ethics. If you are an ethical angler you wait for the season to start, before you go out throwing a spinnerbait for bass. That's why we have a closed season in Minnesota, to protect spawning fish.

Released fish do die on occassion, no matter how carefully you handle them. Then there is always a possibility that you'll catch a trophy fish while your're out poaching. Then what? Are you going to release it? Your already breaking the law, so why not go all the way and throw that fish in your cooler?

Co's will bust you, if in their opinion a law has been broken. If you are throwing a 3/4oz spinner bait, don't try to tell a Co that you're crappie fishing, I don't think they are going to buy it.

We have great fishing in Minnesota because of the regulations that are in place. Cercumventing the law to fit your needs is unethical and I would'nt hesitate to report anyone that I see fishing with a spinnerbait, before opening day.

"Ace"

[HawgTide]

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Just to clear something up, it is legal to fish the Mississippi River for anything right, i believe it has no closed seasons. also what are all the species that are open right now?

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NO! Only in certain areas is the Miss River Open year round. Pool 2 (Ford Dam)and south have open seasons. North of the Twin Cities is the same as lakes.

[JP Z]

Before you go and rip on the guy for pitching Spinnerbaits for bass. Were they standard baits or the minis? Reason I ask is he could have been chasing slabs. There was a good bite this spring on white mepps. So you never know.

[Deitz Dittrich]

jpz.. what size white mepps?

[katoguy]

Terry's right. It is all a judgement call for the CO. If it comes down that he wants to right you a ticket - he will.

[JP Z]

I believe they were #2's....that's small right? It seemed odd to me that they were snapping that much but you can't complain when the fishings good.

[Muddog]

I don't think the fishing laws apply until your 16yr old. Let the kids have fun.

Why not use a spinner for bass. I take white Bass on them all the time. Beatle spins and Mepps have always been the best for me.

Was this person throwing the spinner bait near bedding areas or in open water. It is a very big differance.

[hanson]

Muddog-

Careful there. A young fisherperson is required to purchase a fishing license when they become 16 years of age. All MN fishing regulations still apply to them. If that wasn't the case, youngsters could harvest over their limit and fish out of season.

I say lead by example and teach them the laws and regulations at a young age.

[DTro]

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I don't think the fishing laws apply until your 16yr old. Let the kids have fun.

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So they can catch and keep all the fish they want any time of the year?

I'm pretty sure the law applies to anyone and a matter of fact, it's probably the best time to teach them about respecting the law. Guess where todays poachers started?

[hanson]

dtro-

We think alike.