New rule with spearing!!

[shae1986]

Hope everyone has either seen the new law or have at least heard about it. It is available on the DNR HSOforum but i will post it here too.

News Releases

Important rule changes for Minnesota anglers who spear fish (2006-12-12)

December 1, 2006, brought some important rule changes for Minnesota anglers who spear fish.

Under the new law a person may not take fish by angling or use tip-ups while spearing fish in a dark house, except that a person may take fish by angling if only one angling line is in use and any fish caught by angling is immediately released to the water or placed on the ice.

That specific requirement is limited to fish taken by angling. The new rules apply to rough fish, catfish, lake whitefish and northern pike taken by spearing.

WHILE SPEARING, CAN YOU USE A TIP-UP?

Yes. While spearing, a person may use one angling line or one tip-up. The angling line or tip-up may be inside the house or outside the house.

IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO JIG OR USE A SPOON IN THE SAME HOLE USED FOR SPEARING?

Yes. A person may angle and spear at the same time in the same hole.

IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO HAVE A HOOK EMBEDDED IN A SUCKER BEING USED AS BAIT?

Yes. A person may angle and spear at the same time, a sucker minnow may be used as bait for angling. If a sucker, being used as spearing decoy, has a hook in it, that sucker/hook will constitute the one angling line which can be used while spearing.

CAN THE FISH BE IN A BUCKET THAT'S ON THE ICE, ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, OR IN A COOLER?

The purpose of this requirement is to prevent leaving game fish on the angling line in the water serving as bait. "On the ice" means not in the water, and can reasonably include being in a bucket, cooler, or on the house floor. The fish can be placed either inside or outside of the house.

IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE SPEAR OR ONE ANGLING LINE IN THE HOUSE AT THE SAME TIME?

Each person may use one angling line while spearing. If two people are in a house and only one of them is spearing, the person spearing may use one angling line, and the person not spearing may use two angling lines. It is also permissible to have additional spears and angling equipment in possession in the house provided such equipment is not in use.

The open season for spearing through the ice in Minnesota is Friday, Dec. 1, 2006 to Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007.

[Cowgirladdict]

i dont get it?

it says "may not" then all the questions sound like you can??

im lost on this one

[VMS]

If I read this correctly, you can have only 1 angling line to use while spearing. If you are not spearing, you are allowed 2 lines as a maximum. When you spear, you only get to use 1 line, since the spearing would act as the other.

I always thought you could not have a spear or spearing equipment in the ice house if you were angling..

Steve

[B420]

Steve,

It's a brand new rule this year.

Ben

[Cowgirladdict]

does the first line of that rule say "may not" ??

then it says you can ???????????????

[Pikeslayer]

I checked the new rules on spearing,it says I can spear and have a tipup outside.How can this be?If im sitting in my darkhouse spearing how can I watch my tipup at the same time?This sounds like a ticket from the local C-O for unatended line to me.

[B420]

You can check the same way you do in an angling house. OPEN THE DOOR!

[Pikeslayer]

That would not work because you have to be able to see your line at all times otherwise it is unatended!thats the law last time I checked!

[Early Riser]

How many of you guys plan on using a fishing line or tip-up while spearing? I don't know if I want to be distracted by a fishing line in the darkhouse or by a tip-up outside. I really like to focus on my decoy and obsevations of fish behavior. I treat spearing like deer hunting - with a keen passion and focus on what I am doing. Those pesky panfish and walleyes will be somewhat tempting to angle, but I think I get just as much enjoment by watching them, especially when they all quickly leave the hole at once in advance of a pike heading in! I may consider using a hook to suspend a live decoy however.

[Gordie]

it looks like you can only angle for what you are able to spear or can you angle for walleye or panfish?

[Scotty]

I was told by local C.O. that you can use tip up or jig with a pole for panfish or whatever you like. For example my 6 yo son can sit with me in the darkhouse and jig for panfish...

[shae1986]

Ahh thanks Scotty thats exactly what i was wondering about.

Thanks

A. Shae

[Gordie]

Thanks also scotty!!

[whitewolf6647]

Why does MN have to make everything so complicated?

[Random guy]

Between this and the Red lake walleye laws I have to call my lawyer before I go on the ice or just take him with.

I'm confused.

[Fish&Fowl]

Quote:

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I checked the new rules on spearing,it says I can spear and have a tipup outside.How can this be?If im sitting in my darkhouse spearing how can I watch my tipup at the same time?This sounds like a ticket from the local C-O for unatended line to me.

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That's exactly what I was wondering I don't plan on doing anything different than before when I head out spearing. I don't care to angle while I'm trying to harpoon Mr. Big, just a personal preference I guess.