HF 1531

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/13/2013 03:01pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; providing exception to certain minnow testing
requirements; establishing a minnow special harvesting permit; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84D.03, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84D.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Bait harvest from infested waters.

(a) Taking wild animals from infested
waters for bait or aquatic farm purposes is prohibited, except as provided in paragraph
(b) new text begin , subdivision 5, new text end and section 97C.341.

(b) In waters that are designated as infested waters, except those designated because
they contain prohibited invasive species of fish or certifiable diseases of fish, as defined
under section 17.4982, subdivision 6, taking wild animals may be permitted for:

(1) commercial taking of wild animals for bait and aquatic farm purposes according
to a permit issued under section 84D.11, subject to rules adopted by the commissioner;

(2) bait purposes for noncommercial personal use in waters that contain Eurasian
water milfoil, when the infested waters are designated solely because they contain
Eurasian water milfoil and if the equipment for taking is limited to cylindrical minnow
traps not exceeding 16 inches in diameter and 32 inches in length; and

(3) harvest of bullheads, goldeyes, mooneyes, sheepshead (freshwater drum), and
suckers for bait from streams or rivers designated as infested waters, by hook and line for
noncommercial personal use. Other provisions that apply to this clause are:

(i) fish taken under this clause must be used on the same body of water where caught
and while still on that water body;

(ii) fish taken under this clause may not be transported live from or off the water body;

(iii) fish harvested under this clause may only be used in accordance with this section;

(iv) any other use of wild animals used for bait from infested waters is prohibited;

(v) fish taken under this clause must meet all other size restrictions and requirements
as established in rules; and

(vi) all species listed under this clause shall be included in the person's daily limit as
established in rules, if applicable.

(c) Equipment authorized for minnow harvest in a designated infested water by
permit issued under paragraph (b) may not be transported to, or used in, any waters other
than waters specified in the permit.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84D.03, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. new text end

new text begin A person residing in Koochiching
County, Lake of the Woods County, or Roseau County may harvest up to 24 dozen
minnows for noncommercial personal use from Rainy River or Lake of the Woods. A
person harvesting minnows under this section must obtain a special harvesting permit
from the commissioner and pay a $10 fee. A person harvesting a species that is susceptible
to viral hemorrhagic septicemia under this section is not required to certify that the waters
are viral hemorrhagic septicemia-free. Minnows harvested under this section may only be
used in the United States waters of Rainy River or Lake of the Woods.
new text end