1997 Minnesota Statutes

     97C.081 Fishing contests. 

    Subdivision 1.    Restrictions.  A person may not 
 conduct a fishing contest on waters except as provided in this 
 section. 

    Subd. 2.    Contests without a permit.  A person may 
 conduct a fishing contest with entry fees of $10, or less, per 
 person and total prizes valued at $2,000, or less, without a 
 permit from the commissioner.  

    Subd. 3.    Contests authorized by commissioner.  The 
 commissioner may, by rule or permit, allow fishing contests with 
 entry fees over $10 per person or total prizes valued at more 
 than $2,000.  

    If entry fees are over $25 per person, or total prizes are 
 valued at more than $25,000, and if the applicant has either: 

    (1) not previously conducted a fishing contest requiring a 
 permit under this subdivision; or 

    (2) ever failed to make required prize awards in a fishing 
 contest conducted by the applicant, the commissioner may require 
 the applicant to furnish the commissioner evidence of financial 
 responsibility in the form of a surety bond or bank letter of 
 credit in the amount of $25,000.  Permits must be issued without 
 a fee and if the commissioner does not deny the permit within 14 
 days, excluding holidays, after receipt of an application, the 
 permit is granted. 

    Subd. 4.    Restrictions.  The commissioner may by rule 
 establish restrictions on fishing contests to protect fish and 
 fish habitat and for the safety of contest participants. 

    Subd. 5.    Ice fishing contest in conjunction with 
 raffle.  An organization that is permitted under this section 
 and licensed by the lawful gambling control board to conduct 
 raffles may conduct a raffle in conjunction with an ice fishing 
 contest.  The organization may sell a combined ticket for a 
 single price for the ice fishing contest and raffle, provided 
 that the combined ticket states in at least eight-point type the 
 amount of the price that applies to the ice fishing contest and 
 the amount that applies to the raffle.  All other provisions of 
 sections 349.11 to 349.23 apply to the raffle. 

    HIST: 1986 c 386 art 3 s 17; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1993 c 231 s 
 49-51; 1993 c 269 s 25; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 33