Is Night Crawler Harness Legal?

[Shack]

My buddy was reading reg.'s yesterday and came upon the legal hook area. It went on about treble hook with out being attached to lure is considered the hooks and in against the law. You are allowed only one hook per line, unless treble is hooked to a lure. Well here, I will quite rambling on and post reg's on page 10 from 2007 regulations manual for fishing in Minnesota.

Quote:

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Angling Methods

• Anglers may use only one hook. An artificial lure is considered one

hook. A treble hook, when not part of an artificial lure, is considered

three hooks and is not legal. The exception is three artificial flies may

be used when angling for trout, crappie, sunfish, and rock bass.

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This sounds like it applies to worm harness's being illegal. What do you guys think?

[Flaco651]

As long as the harness has the spinner/beads it is legal and considered a lure.

[Shack]

I purchased some harness that were on sale the other week, that do not have these items. Before I read this, I would of been using them on opener. What a way to get a ticket. It also specifies that a treble hook can be used, but does not really go over three seprate hooks tied on mono. I might car DNR about this one.

[rushing]

a worm harness is considered a lure I think.

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

G4ys,

How about the "Owner" brand of Crawler Harnesses...?? It is not a treble, but has 2 hooks, one is sliding. There is only a tiny pin-head spec on it.

Is that "Legal"...??

[Shack]

I just got off phone with DNR headquarters and left a message for local CO to call me. I bought several packs of worm harness the other week with no bead or swivel on them at a local "large" retail store. They only have three hooks (about 1" to 1 1/2" apart with loop on other end. They were on special. It sounds like so far these harnesses are illegal. I have to modify them to make them legal (I.E. one bead or swivel. The lady at DNR H.Q. stated many items sold over counter in MN are illegal and it is up to sportsman to find out what is and what is not illegal. I also was asked and told a question a minute ago about treble hooks. When you use a treble hook with clear bead on it, I was told by co worker this is legal. This co-worker is on pro walleye trail and has used this before. I will ask CO when he calls back if this is true. The CO I left message with is out of Big Lake.