Minnesota Flathead Anglers - Please Read ASAP

[Dirk W]

The stubling block for using live bullheads over 7 inches does indeed appear to be the "transportation of live fish" law. My thoughts are that it would be quite easy to change. Just change the definition of a bullhead "minnow" from under 7 inches to under, say, 9 inches. Or doesn't that make sense? The DNR has given me the sense that this is very "do-able". I think they are thinking of making the change along along with addressing the willow cat issue. Of course the legislature has the final say but they take DNR recommendations seriously. I'm putting the cart before the horse but if they don't change the law I'll be very dissapointed. I don't beieve they will be addressing any other issues such as two lines, stamps, etc.

[Lost]

I'd like to know how transporting a bullhead larger than 7 inches from one body of water to another has anything to do with contaminating water any more than if you transport bullheads smaller than 7 inches does.

[Ed Carlson]

One thing we have on our side to see change is the Flathead is a popular fish at the DNR. They view it as a state treasure as they do the sturgeon. If enough voices were raised in the legislature I do not think the DNR would fight such conservation minded changes.

The bait size and species regs are another deal. The DNR is very serious about cross contamination or introduction of undesirable species into new waters.

It is the live bait part that hangs up the DNR, dead would not be an issue. There view is if it is alive it has the opportunity to be introduced into unintended waterways either while actively angling or when being stored. No matter if the species may be already documented there, they see the opportunity for new or undocumented species getting mixed in so they do not want to take the risk.

Personally in my view a 5", 6", or 10" bullhead has the same risk of introduction and reproducing as a 7" would. So I do not see their argument on that particular reg as holding water.

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Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
701-893-9107

[email protected]

[Lost]

Ed, exactly my point. Well said.

Is there any way we can help touch up and do some research for this proposal? Where could we get some numbers together?

Maybe MJ can help. Maybe RoughFisher can help as well.

[JIvers]

Good job calling attention to the problems of border waters fishing for flathead--I lived in Winona for seven years, and put up with Wisconsin angling buddies being able to use three poles while I was stuck with two.

Generally, I agree that the restriction on bullhead size makes no sense. Bullheads are already present in at least low numbers anywhere you find flathead in Minnesota, so worrying about introducing pregnant bullheads would not be a valid reason to continue with the restrictions.

As for not being allowed to use sunfish for bait under Minnesota law, I do not believe anyone is missing out on much. I have lived in Iowa for four years, and from personal experience down here, I will take chubs and bullheads over sunfish any night for flathead bait. The main appeal of sunfish is that a bucket of small greenies or bluegills can be ridiculously easy to catch. However, I will still search the farm creeks down here for chubs (not always easy to find) or put up with bullhead stings before I catch the easy greenies. Chubs and bullheads simply outperform them every time. In short, fighting the uphill battle to legalize the use of live sunfish for bait in Minnesota would not be worth the trouble.

[tadpole]

I live in Indiana and fish the Walbash, Ohio, and White Rivers for Big Cats and I tell you there is nothing better for bait for big Flatheads than the biggest bluegill you can find (ALIVE & KICKING)

Tad

[JIvers]

In my first-hand experience, the best baits for flatcat in Iowa are in order from first to last: live shad (legal in Iowa), wild creek chubs, bullheads, wild suckers, baitshop suckers, nightcrawlers, crayfish, and sunfish at the bottom. I have had very little success with sunfish of any size as bait for flathead. Shad, chubs, bullheads, and even baitshop suckers outfish bluegills every time here on the Iowa and Cedar rivers. On the Mississippi in Minnesota, my favorite flathead bait is a freshly caught creek chub.