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6262.0100 GENERAL RESTRICTIONS ON TAKING FISH.

Subpart 1.

Angling hours.

Angling hours on all streams and rivers from Lake Superior upstream to posted boundaries, including Lake Superior tributaries with no posted boundaries, are from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset during the open season; provided that angling hours on the St. Louis River in St. Louis and Carlton Counties and the Pigeon River in Cook County are continuous during the open season except as provided by Minnesota Statutes, section 97C.415, subdivision 1.

Angling hours for all species on all inland waters are continuous during the open season, except as provided by Minnesota Statutes, section 97C.415, subdivision 1, and except for certain waters which are subject to experimental or special regulations.

Subp. 2.

[Repealed, L 2003 c 28 art 1 s 20]

Subp. 3.

[Repealed, 39 SR 822]

Subp. 4.

Importation, transportation, or stocking of live fish.

Except as provided in parts 6212.2600, subpart 3, and 6262.0600, subpart 4, and Minnesota Statutes, sections 17.4985, subdivision 3; 97C.505, subdivision 1; 97C.515, subdivision 3; 97C.525, subdivision 1; and 97C.821, a person may not import, transport, or stock in any waters of the state live fish eggs, fish spawn, or immature or adult fish of any species without a permit issued by the commissioner. An angling license does not authorize a person to import, transport, or stock live fish.

Subp. 5.

Possession of fish while on state waters.

A.

Fish that are taken by angling and not immediately released into the water after capture are considered to be in possession. Once a limit of fish has been reduced to possession, no culling or live well sorting (the act of replacing one fish with another one) of that species is allowed.

B.

A person shall not angle for, including catch-and-release, or reduce to possession any species during its closed season.

C.

Once a person or persons fishing as a party as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 97C.317, retain a daily limit for a species, all fish of that species that are subsequently taken must be immediately released into the water after capture.

D.

While on or fishing in state waters with size restrictions that differ from statewide regulations, including experimental waters, special management waters, boundary waters, or any other waters with size restrictions, all fish for which the different size restrictions apply must be undressed and measurable when in a person's possession, regardless of where taken, except under the following conditions:

(1)

when a watercraft is docked or moored to shore or when on the ice and a person is in the act of preparing and using the fish for a meal; or

(2)

when a person is on an experimental or special management water and the fish were lawfully taken, have been packaged and labeled by a licensed fish packer, are to be prepared for a meal while on the ice or shore of that water body, and do not otherwise exceed the statewide possession limits.

When fish are consumed under subitem (1), the angler must maintain the carcass of a fish with size limits in such a way that the carcass may be readily unpacked, unwrapped, and separated so that the carcass may be examined, measured, and counted to ensure compliance with size restrictions for that day, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 645.45.

E.

It is unlawful for a person to have in possession, regardless of where taken, any fish in excess of or outside of the limits for that water body when fishing in that water. A person must immediately return to the water any fish that is taken by angling that is in excess of or outside the limits. This item does not apply to a person who is on an experimental or special management water and the fish were lawfully taken, have been packaged and labeled by a licensed fish packer, are to be prepared for a meal while on the ice or shore of that water body, and do not otherwise exceed the statewide possession limits.

F.

A person who is in transit on the water, taking the most direct route back to the person's lodging or docking, and not fishing, may possess fish outside of or in excess of the limits for that water body, if the species were legally taken from connected waters.

Subp. 6.

Angling tackle.

A.

An angler may have up to three single or multiple hooks on a line used as a single tackle configuration attached to the end of a fishing line. The total configuration from the first hook to the last hook must be nine inches or less. Live, artificial, preserved, or dead bait is allowed. This configuration is not considered an artificial bait or fly.

B.

An angler may have one additional single or multiple hook on a line as part of an artificial bait as long as it is within three inches of the artificial bait.

C.

Except for a single artificial bait or three artificial flies, an angling rig with more than one hook is not allowed on designated trout streams and lakes.

Subp. 7.

Spawn bags.

Spawn bags may be bought or sold only if the bags are made with:

A.

fish eggs from a licensed aquaculture facility; or

B.

fish eggs that are:

(1)

legally taken from a source outside Minnesota that has been certified disease-free; and

(2)

preserved and labeled as required under a bait preservation permit. Records must be maintained as required for bait preservation permits.

History:

18 SR 83; 19 SR 484; 19 SR 2222; 20 SR 2287; L 2003 c 28 art 1 s 20; 28 SR 629; 30 SR 394; 32 SR 1044; 33 SR 1334; 35 SR 138; 36 SR 435; 38 SR 787; 39 SR 822

Published Electronically:

January 28, 2015

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes