2010 Minnesota Statutes

97C.376 BOW FISHING.

Subdivision 1.Season.

The bow fishing season for residents and nonresidents is from May 1 to the last Sunday in February at any time of the day.

Subd. 2.Possession of bows and arrows.

A person may possess bows and arrows for the purposes of bow fishing on or within 100 feet of waters at any time from May 1 to the last Sunday in February, subject to local ordinances. A person must take reasonable measures to retrieve arrows and wounded fish.

Subd. 3.Nighttime restrictions on motors.

From sunset to sunrise, a person bow fishing with the assistance of a gasoline-powered motor must use a four-stroke engine powered generator. The noise limits for total noise while bow fishing from sunset to sunrise shall not exceed a noise level of 65 decibels on the A scale measured at a distance of 50 feet from the motorboat or equivalent noise levels at other distances as specified by the commissioner in a pass-by test or 67 decibels on the A scale measured at idle in a stationary test at least four feet above the water and at least four feet behind the transom of the motorboat being tested. The noise levels under section 86B.321 apply to persons traveling to and from bow fishing sites from sunset to sunrise.

Subd. 4.Nighttime structure and campground setback requirements.

A person shall not discharge an arrow while bow fishing within 150 feet of an occupied structure or within 300 feet of a campsite from sunset to sunrise.

Subd. 5.Prohibition on returning rough fish to waters.

Rough fish taken by bow fishing shall not be returned to the water and rough fish may not be left on the banks of any water of the state.

History:

2009 c 176 art 2 s 62