2016 Cast Net Permit Applications

Sean Sisler has taken over the Cast Net Permit Program for the MN DNR from Paula Phelps. His telephone number is 651-259-5213. I called today to find out when the 2016 Cast Net Permit Application would be available. He said the permit application should be out in May and the shad harvest season starts on July 1st. That leaves a few months to get your application requirements completed. Each year you have to successfully complete the online invasive species training prior to the permit issuance. I did mine yesterday and it takes about an hour. I asked him how many permits were issued last year and he said a little over twenty permits were issued. I was kind of surprised at that low number of permits. For those of you that catfish and sturgeon fish that cast net puts some beautiful bait in your boat.

Here is some of the basic information about the Cast Net Permit:

a. This is the link to the Cast Net Permit Application (This is the 2015 Permit Application and the 2016 application won’t be up until sometime in May): http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/permits/fishery/gizzard-shad.pdf

b. All the information about the Cast Net Program is listed on the permit application and it should answer any questions you may have. I had a permit last year and I thought it was awesome. Some days early in the season it takes a little effort to catch shad but as the season goes on the shad become so plentiful that after a couple of tosses you have a whole day’s worth of bait.

c. Remember that you are limited to a seven foot diameter cast net (they are sold based on radius so you have to order a 3.5 foot radius net which is a 7 foot diameter net). I use a Betts Old Salt 35PM mono cast net that I ordered from Amazon (I have Amazon Prime so I got free shipping) and it cost about $44. Here is a link to the net on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/180-9842110-8896742?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Betts+35PM

d. You must take the Online Aquatic Invasive Species Training for Minnow Dealers and People Working Under a Minnow Dealer License prior to the permit being issued. Here is the link to the online training: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/commercial/mdeinvasivetraining.html

Less people getting the permit less chance of moving ais from one section of the river to another… LOL!

Thanks for posting Steve. I’ll get my on line training done tomorrow. Is it the same info as last year? It was pretty much common sense.

Just finished the ’16 test. <Yawn> Did it without sound. Better info than last year or maybe I just forgot last years questions.

I didn’t know I could get a sticker that says: “Replace your drain plug before launching boat!”

I’m sorry DNR AIS people… that’s a hoot! Even though I know it happens a lot! I have to get more info on this. It deserves it’s separate post!

Thanks for the info on cast net permits. I have a cast net that I used frequently to catch bait on trips to New Jersey and love catching my own bait. If I get the permit, where does one target the gizzard shad? Are they sight fished along the shore of the croix / mississippi?
Thanks

Make sure your net is the correct size. Read the rules carefully. They can’t be transported.

I’m sure there may be more, but I know of only one place a person could catch shad from shore (possibly) on the Mississippi.

Most of us target them by using boats, sea gulls and sonar.

There are tons of places all over the St.Croix and Mississippi to target them from shore.

Charlie Vaughan wrote:

There are tons of places all over the St.Croix and Mississippi to target them from shore.

Agreed.

Currently the docks in bills bay marina by collville park is loaded with them.

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

Currently the docks in bills bay marina by collville park is loaded with them.

If the cast net season was open.

I understand there’s tons of places to toss a cast net, whether there’s shad there or not is another story.

Either way, know the rules and stay on the MN side of the Mississippi and St Croix Rivers.