NEW CAT REGULATIONS

[DARK30]

I THINK ITS JUST A PROPOSED LIMIT CHANGE FOR 2003 AT THIS POINT BUT IT LOOKS GOOD TO ME.

"THE CATFISH LIMIT WILL REMAIN AT FIVE, BUT ONLY TWO CAN BE FLATHEADS AND ONLY ONE, EITHER FLATHEAD OR CHANNEL, CAN BE OVER 24 INCHES LONG"

WHAT DO WE THINK?

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[Guest]

I like the fact that you can only keep two flatheads.To me these are sport fish and all should be released.

[Guest]

A good start for sure!

Data has shown that a 24" slot dramatically increased the total population by protecting prime spawners from over harvest. The Red for one would have been a goner or close to it if they wouldn't have instituted it years ago.

May be a good plan to lobby for a more selective harvest for flatheads on many waterways.

Catfish are notoriously difficult to study so angler input is critical to evaluate the health of a system. Be sure to let your local DNR biologist know what you see and feel.

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"Ed on the Red"
Backwater Guiding Service
[email protected]
fishingminnesota.com/ed-on-the-red/

[DARK30]

I WOULD LIKE A ZERO HARVEST OF FLATHEADS ON THE MINNESOTA TOO. THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THAT IS HOW DO YOU STILL PROVIDE FOR THE CONTESTS THAT NEED FISH TO BE WEIGHED IN?
THE FISH THAT COME IN AT THE BELLE PLAINE CONTEST ARE RELEASED BUT NOT RIGHT AWAY.

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[Guest]

Ya there is that.I do like to fish the contest.All the fish are being released but not to the letter of catch and release laws.I guess its hard to shout out let them all go if you only want to do it sometimes.Maybee the limit should be one and you'd better be sure you've got the big one before he goes into the tank.I usually only take one of each anyway(channel,flat)because the ones I catch are sooo BIG that my boat is over capacity

[Rainman]

Fishhead, you crack me up. sooooo much.