Minnesota Administrative Rules

6254.0510 USE OF MINNOW TRAPS, HOOP NETS, AND TRAP NETS.

Subpart 1.

Setting minnow traps, hoop nets, and trap nets.

A.

A minnow trap, string of minnow traps, hoop net, or trap net, including the wings or leads, may not extend across more than one-half the width of any stream.

B.

A person may not set a minnow trap, hoop net, or trap net, including the wings or lead, within 50 feet in any direction of any portion of another person's minnow trap, hoop net, or trap net.

C.

A person setting their own minnow traps, single string of minnow traps, hoop nets, or trap nets is subject to the provisions in subitems (1) and (2):

(1)

A hoop net, trap net, or single string of minnow traps attached together, including the wings or leads, may be set at intervals of not less than 50 feet in any direction of any portion of another hoop net or trap net or single string of minnow traps.

(2)

An individual minnow trap, including the lead, may be set at intervals of not less than 20 feet in any direction of any portion of another minnow trap, single string of minnow traps, trap net, or hoop net, except that submerged minnow traps may be set up to four at one site, side by side, within 12 inches of one another.

Subp. 2.

Tending minnow traps, hoop nets, and trap nets.

Minnow traps, hoop nets, and trap nets must be lifted and emptied of fish as frequently as necessary to prevent the loss of minnows or other fish, provided that under no circumstances may they be emptied less frequently than once every 72 hours from April 1 to October 31, and once every seven days from November 1 to March 31. All minnow traps, hoop nets, and trap nets, and any associated gear, must be removed from the water immediately upon ceasing operations. A licensee shall not leave traps on public or private land without permission from the managing body or owner. The openings of traps that are left on the shore must be blocked to prevent nontarget animals from entering or must allow escapement of nontarget animals.

Subp. 3.

Minnow trap specifications for persons not licensed as minnow dealers.

A.

A person not licensed as a minnow dealer may use minnow traps not exceeding 30 inches in width or length or 15 inches in height. The diameter or width of the opening must not exceed 1-1/2 inches and mesh size may not exceed one-half inch bar mesh.

B.

A person not licensed as a minnow dealer may not use minnow traps with leads.

Subp. 4.

Minnow trap, hoop net, and trap net specifications for licensed minnow dealers.

A.

Licensed minnow dealers may take minnows using minnow traps not exceeding four feet in width, four feet in height, and eight feet in length. The traps must have no more than two throats per entrance. The outermost throat may be split into two sections by a center structure. The diameter or width of the innermost throat opening may not exceed 1-1/2 inches and mesh size may not exceed one-half inch bar mesh. The top of the outermost throat must allow escapement of nontarget species, if it is possible for the nontarget species to be caught within the throat. Leads used in conjunction with minnow traps may not exceed 50 feet in length.

B.

Licensed minnow dealers may take minnows with hoop nets or trap nets. Trap net frames may not exceed four feet in height and six feet in width, and hoops for hoop nets and trap nets may not exceed four feet in diameter. The length of hoop nets or trap nets from the front of the entrance to the rear of the net (cod end) may not exceed 25 feet. Leads used in conjunction with hoop nets or trap nets may not exceed 50 feet in length. Mesh size for hoop nets and trap nets may not exceed three-fourths inch bar measure. Trap nets or hoop nets used to take minnows must have a screen with openings not exceeding 1-1/2 inches placed across the entrance of the net.

C.

A licensed minnow dealer must notify the area fisheries supervisor or local conservation officer 24 hours prior to setting any trap nets or hoop nets.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 97C.505

History:

19 SR 2222; 28 SR 629

Published Electronically:

June 11, 2008