2021 Minnesota Statutes

97C.611 TURTLE SPECIES; LIMITS.

Subdivision 1.Snapping turtles.

A person may not possess more than three snapping turtles of the species Chelydra serpentina without a turtle seller's license. Until new rules are adopted under section 97C.605, a person may not take snapping turtles of a size less than ten inches wide including curvature, measured from side to side across the shell at midpoint. After new rules are adopted under section 97C.605, a person may only take snapping turtles of a size specified in the adopted rules.

Subd. 2.Western painted turtles.

(a) A person may not possess more than three Western painted turtles of the species Chrysemys picta without a turtle seller's license. Western painted turtles must be between 4 and 5-1/2 inches in shell length.

(b) This subdivision does not apply to persons acting under section 97C.605, subdivision 2c, clause (4).

Subd. 3.Spiny softshell.

A person may not possess spiny softshell turtles of the species Apalone spinifera after December 1, 2021, without an aquatic farm or private fish hatchery license with a turtle endorsement.

Subd. 4.Other species.

A person may not possess any other species of turtle without an aquatic farm or private fish hatchery license with a turtle endorsement or as specified under section 97C.605, subdivision 2c.

History:

1986 c 386 art 3 s 54; 1989 c 266 s 4; 2002 c 351 s 24; 1Sp2021 c 6 art 2 s 76