Artificial lighting to attract fish?

[Ely Lake Expert]

Someone asked me if it is legal to use lights or glowsticks to attract fish. Being that I have never tried it or even looked into it, I wasn't sure what to say. Could someone clarify the law for me.

Thanks,

Ryan

[BobT]

See page 10 of your 2006 fishing regulations handbook.

"Using an arificial light to lure or attract fish, or to see fish when spearing, is unlawful. Exception: while angling, a person may affix to the end of a fishing line a lighted artificial bait with hooks attached. Any battery that is used in lighted fishing lures cannot intentionally introduce mercury."

Hope that helps.

Bob

[ice_shack]

So I guess unless it's a "glowstick lure" I would say no.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Thats kind of what I thought, thanks for the info.

[BobT]

This reminds me of something I have done that may actually be questionable. When ice fishing at night it can be a pain to have the light setting out on the ice where it can shine in your eyes. To combat this, when the ice was thick enough I would drill down deep enough to set my Coleman lantern in the hole. This lit up the ice for quite a circumference but didn't shine out of the hole into my eyes. This works great for lighting up a shelter as well. The light reflects from the ice and brightens the entire inside of the house.

Anyone know if this is actually an unlawful use of lights?

Bob

[nofishfisherman]

seems more like that would scare the fish rather then attract them.

On Mille lacs during the winter people will get mad if you are fishing in shallower water over rock piles and you have a light shinning in or near a hole.

[marine_man]

I don't know if what you have described is illegal or not, but one time when I was fishing URL a couple of years ago I drove past a group of guys fishing with a couple of halogen lights shining down all around their area... I have a hard time believing they lug a generator and a couple of light stands out just so they can see... I'm guessing it helped with the crappie bite.

marine_man

[Eric Wettschreck]

Bob, I've heard of CO's giving tickets for that and for CO's not giving tickets for that. Kind of goes both ways. I personally have not done this it's just what other fellers have told me happened to them.

[waskawood]

So the light on my Marcum 560 camera is illegal?

[hitthebricks]

I USE THE LANTERN IN THE ICE HOLE METHOD WHEN EVER POSSIBLE AND HAVE BEEN CHECKED BY A CO WHILE USING THIS METHOD. I HAVE NOT BEEN FINED OR ANYTHING EVEN SAID ABOUT IT, SO I ASSUME IT IS LEGEL. HTB

[solbes]

My brother in law is always into these fishing gimmicks. Last year it was the segmented lures. This year he's excited about the cranks that have a red light that flashes when in water and moving.

He gave me a couple for my b-day. So far it seems to be just that, a gimmick. I have caught a few fish on the deep diver, but nothing spectacular. I'll keep trying it in different situations though.