Are two way radios legal?

[Walterwontfalter]

I know you can't use the two way radios deer hunting but I hear people on the bigger lakes all the time talking to their buddies about where they are and if they are catching fish or not. I don't want to end up getting pinched for doing the same thing. Does anyone know what the regulations/rules/laws say about how you can and cannot use these radios?

[fishing tech]

I don't know if they are or not but here is a story for you. We were fishing at a friends cabin. We called back to the cabin on a 2 way radio to let them know the fish were biting, 10 minutes later people form all the cabins on the lake came out to the spot we were at. So you never know who is listening.

[kslipsinker]

There isn't any regulation I know of that even mentions two way radio in the fishing book. Cell phones are the most popular communication tool on the ice now.

[Bobb-o]

never had a problem while using radios while fishing, and they are even a necessity in places like Red Lake where you get very little/if any cell phone signal

[stick]

I've got just the opposite story of Fishing Tech. My dad and I were fishing on opener in his boat. We heard people chatting and nobody was catching a thing...even us. We were amongst a ton of boats in a popular opener spot. So we ended up conducting a conversation over the radio as though we were in different boats and slaying the fish. We added enough description so that people knew we had to be in the general vicinity. People were "rubber necking" trying to see which boats were catching fish. We added some comments about what we were catching them on, and it was something crazy. It was funny watching people stand up and looking around all over the place. I don't think we caught a fish all day, but it was a riot and a great day on the water.

[fishing tech]

Hey Stick, that is a great story. If I were fishing with you I probably would have fell out of the boat laughing. Everyone wants an edge and curiosity drives them crazy.

[markr108]

As long as the radios (this applies to cell phones too) are not used to "assist in the taking of game" it is legal to use them. In other words, if you call your buddy and tell him the fish are biting here and he comes there to fish too, it's illegal. If you call him and say you'll meet him at the landing in a half hour, that's legal.

[Write-Outdoor]

There are these nifty little magazines published each year called the "Minnesota Fishing Regulations." There's nothing about two way radios or cell phones. If you read the other nifty magazine published by the DNR called "Minnesota Hunting Regulations" you find that sort of language.

Those rules apply to hunting, not fishing (unless I can't find it). The only remotely related thing I can find is where it talks about a party with regards to fishing possession and transporting fish.

So to answer your question...it's fishing, not hunting. Talk away on the cell phone or the radio. Either way it's legal.

Now bowfishing might be another issue.....

[Walterwontfalter]

I did read completely through the 2006 fishing regulations and there wasn't a mention of use of radios anywhere in it but I hadn't seen anything about radios in the hunting regs before I heard people were getting busted for using them. t was written in there but i never saw it.

I can understand it while deer hunting but I can tell my buddy all day where to fish and he can even fish in the very hole i'm fishing in...but it won't help him catch any fish....then again, maybe that's just my fishing buddy

[gspman]

mark108 hit it on the head. The 2-way radios are legal. What you say over them may or may not be legal.

[metrojoe]

I have to agree. It's not the use of radios that is illegal, it's how you use them.

Welcome to FM WriteOutdoors.

[BLACKJACK]

I'm going to throw in the statement that even thought the fishing regs don't say they're legal or illegal, I think that two way radios SHOULD BE ILLEGAL while fishing. Several years ago I saw guys on Red using then on the open water, when one boat found a school of crappies, they'd call the other boat over. Is that any different than me calling on a two way radio 'that a big buck is coming over the hill, get ready'??!

[ASMOLEY]

Just because you are going to fish where someone has caught a fish or switched lures because you heard it over the radio you still need to hook the fish. You can't put the fish in the scope and pull the trigger like hunting. That is why they are illegal for hunting beacuse you can use them to better organize a drive and you and your shooting ability is the deciding factor if the animal lives or dies. With fish no matter what you do it's still up to the fish to bite your lure.

[Melon]

Last year I contacted the DNR regarding this very issue as it pertains to hunting. The DNR official I spoke with clarified that as long as you are not using them as an aide for taking game they are legal. For example; "Hey, let's break for lunch and come back in hour". Perfectly legal.

Also, the gentlemen I spoke with indicated that as long as the regulations don't say it's illegal then this is your clue that it is legal (within reason of course). People just need to read the regulations and understand them. Make the right choices. Ignorance is not an excuse for breaking the law. If there is no mention in the "fishing regulations"(which there isn't) about the use of Two-way radios, Cell Phones, Hand Signals etc... then by all means go ahead. I'm sure the DNR officials have probably been through every possible scenario and have carefully decided what should and should not be legal.

[castmaster]

well, if gps and mark 108 are right, the co's on mille lacs best start monitoring the marine band because even the launcehs talk to each otehr about where the fish are biting.

[markr108]

I shot off an e-mail to the DNRCO's office this am asking to clarify this question. When I get the response from them, I'll post it here.

Untill then I just want to mention that the regulations book we all get is just a summary. Just because something is not printed in the book does not mean there is no law regarding it.

[Melon]

Agreed... Mark, this is a little more than a condensed version of the actual laws. There are some very cryptic reads on the actual written law that is only really understandable by the law makers who wrote them. I was simply pointing out that if it is not cleary spelled out as being illegal in the regulations that are published to the public then it's most likely allowed. But, of course this means that you must always use your best judgement. If you are uncertain about any law, don't perform the act. Like I said in my previous post "Ignorance is no excuse" read the regulations and know the published regulations.

I don't usually post on these topics because I like to read and not get caught up but I've been over this same topic about 1000 times with buddies that "Know the law" but it's funny that they never read or have read the regulations!! Just frustrating... Thanks for letting me rant!

I LOVE THIS SITE!!!!!

[cybermuskie]

(I am not saying this is anybody on here...so don't get me wrong)

I have heard of a group of guys that come up ,I am told from the St Cloud area to the Cass Lake area. There are about 20 of them or more. They are spreading out on the whole lake and then when one starts getting into the crappies he gets on his cell phone and calls everyone over! I guess they even call themselves "The Cell Phone Brigade". A friend of mine saw this in action, as he overheard one of the group braggin in the bait shop so he went to see for himself. He said there were all these houses, packed together, loud music, fryer cooking fish as fast as they caught 'em. I told him he should have called a CO to check it out. What are your thoughts on these actions? Nothing like beating the heck out of a lake!

[Quickstrike]

Well I don't know if some of these situations are ethical, but I do think that by written (or unwritten) law they are legal. I live up here in Duluth and Charter Boats as well as non-charter boats talk about fishing locations, speeds, presentations and everything else over the radio. The radio on superior is constantly monitored by the coast guard, dnr, and many other anglers and if it was an illegal practice i'm sure we would have heard something about it being illegal.

[Melon]

Cyber- I completely disagree with this type of activity, unless of course they include me (952-921....) OH I'M KIDDING!! This is the type of thing that everyone who reads this site know's better then to partake in. It's unethical and should be frowned upon. I have two young children and I hope to teach them to be appreciative of the "PRIVILIDGE" to fish on our public waters. Taking advantage of a good bite with a keg party is not my idea of a good day on the lake, don't get me wrong, I like beer. Others have there own way of enjoying the outdoors that most of us will not agree with but I'm not the type of guy to tell someone they are wrong for doing something that is legal.

Sorry, more than my .02

[Giant_Jackpot]

Quote:

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This is the type of thing that everyone who reads this site know's better then to partake in. It's unethical and should be frowned upon.

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So if you drive all the way to LOW with a few buddies and they start catching fish in a spot, let you know about it by phone, radio, hand signals, or whatever, are you going to go over there and try your luck or stay in your non-productive spot? I’m not trying to start an argument but I would find it hard to believe all of us have not been in this same situation and taken advantage of it.

[gman2002]

no , all of us have not been in this same situation, it is illigal to use a two a two way radio in the assistance of taking game or fish. ask babe winkleman!!

[Mark Christianson]

Where in the fishing regs do you see that communications devices cannot be used for the taking of fish?

I am not trying to stir anything, I am just curious where you or anyone else sees it, because I cant find it.

If its not in the regs, then I dont know where you come up with the fact its illegal.

Babe was busted by clearly breaking the regs in the hunting regulations book.

This is on page 34 of the hunting regs:

Radios and Other Wireless Devices

• Using walkie talkies, cell phones, or other radio equipment to take

big game or small game is unlawful.

If its legal, then a new topic should be started "Are 2 way radios ethical?"

This post was started to understand the legality of their use. And I dont see anything that shows they are illegal in our fishing regulations.

[caseymcq]

Quote:

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no , all of us have not been in this same situation, it is illigal to use a two a two way radio in the assistance of taking game or fish. ask babe winkleman!!

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Babe's indiscretion was with the taking of game, not fish. It isn't illegal to use them fishing if you are not breaking some other law.

Ok, here is a hypothetical situation. My buddy is icefishing on the lake and catching fish. I am any distance away (100 feet or a mile) on the same lake not catching anything. Is it ethically ok if he walks or drives over to tell me where the spot is and then we go fish it? Is it ethical if he yells to me? Is it unethical for him to call me on a two-way radio, marine band or cell phone to deliver the same information? Is it any worse than sharing GPS points to hot spots?

IMO it doesn't matter. If we both respect the resource and obey the law it really doesn't matter. We went out to catch fish and have a good time. If I am fishing with a friend or family member and I am catching fish, I want them to have the same kind of success as I am having, especially if it is kids. I will, in which ever way works be it by simply yelling to them or by calling them on the radio, let them know what's going on. And, honestly, I won't feel one bit guilty about doing so.

We on rare occasions would keep our limit and never go over it. We impose slot limits on ourselves where they haven't already been called for by law. That IMO is being a responsible sportsman.

I can see an objection to the "The Cell Phone Brigade" if their main goal is to catch and keep a boat load of fish. IF they are out their practicing selective and responsible harvest no big deal. I don't know what they are actually doing so I can't say.

[Write-Outdoor]

I'd be curious to see what the CO says for the "official" response to the question...but it still comes down to the fact that fishing and hunting are not the same in the eyes of the law. Half the posts on this HSOforum would be illegal under that law if it were illegal to "chat" about where the fish are biting. If we were using high powered rifles when fishing then it would be a different story.

Yes the fishing regulations are a "summary" but here's the bigger issue...how do you truly enforce such a law even if it was on the books? Our state has such a limited group of Conservation OFficers, each one has a huge area and a ton of responsibilities. It's really an outrage but that's why TIP is around because we are the best guardians of the game and fish of our state.

The last piece to this already too long message is that legal and ethical are different. It's legal to use phones and two-way radios, but it's an individual decision about using radios. Talking about the fishing action, what they are biting on and such is what fishing is all about to many. It's the camraderie portion of it all.

Some people consider underwater cameras a detriment to fishing and if you remember, about 8 years ago they tried to ban them. The common sense principal kicked in and it was decided that you still have to get the fish to bite.

I consider myself to be a very ethical angler who errs on the side of being more careful than marginal...still....I can't see what is unethical about radioing or calling your buddy to tell them that "I caught three nice walleye 18 feet down off the rocky point using a leech and chartreuse jig."

I think it's a great discussion though! My mind is definitely open to change so rip away!