OK guys, it looks like the 7 inch bullhead law is “on the table” and the DNR is going to take a look at it. Adding sunfish looks unlikely but we can certainly try. Below is a “rough draft” with issues I could come up with, even ones that may sound silly. Read it over and feel free to critique it and add suggestions. I’ll add to the list and send it to the powers at the DNR soon. Keep you fingers crossed!!
Bullheads, Sunfish, and Minnesota’s 7 Inch Law
Discussion Points
1. Most, if not all, Minnesota flathead anglers believe Minnesota’s bait regulations regarding flathead fishing are excessively restrictive and greatly limit opportunities for successful fishing. For example, in Minnesota only bullheads under seven inches (considered minnows) can be transported alive over land, thus making only small bullheads legal. In addition, only suckers under 12 inches may be used. Sunfish of any kind are illegal to use as bait in Minnesota. Other states in the region (Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois) allow sunfish and bullheads of any size to be used as bait for flatheads. Other states that border the Mississippi have similar laws.
2. Bullheads under 7 inches are not adequate for trophy flathead fishing. Suckers found in bait stores are not active enough to attract flatheads, die quickly, and the proper sizes are nearly impossible to find. The practical difference between a 7 and an 8-9 inch bullhead inch bullhead if very real.
3. Border water bait laws are very difficult to sort through and understand. Fishing partners from different states – Wisconsin for example, can sit side by side in the boat and fish for flatheads but only the Wisconsin resident can use Sunfish and bullheads of any size. Questions such as bait storage, out of state licenses, imaginary lines separating Minnesota water from Wisconsin water, etc. are difficult to understand and even DNR officials from each state seem to interpret the laws differently.
4. Except for border waters, Minnesota only allows one pole per angler, Wisconsin lets their anglers, at least on Mississippi, use three. This example further explains Minnesota flathead anglers frustration. Not only can we not use adequate bait (bullheads over seven inches and sunfish), we are restricted to fewer poles.
5. The compliance rates for the 7-inch bullhead law are probably very low. The law makes violators out of otherwise law-abiding anglers. Until recently most anglers did not even know the law existed.
6. On a practical note, catching enough bullheads for bait is often difficult enough and very time consuming. Getting enough “legal” bullheads just under 7 inches often proves to be exceptionally difficult. Measuring bullheads is difficult. Grabbing them hard enough to handle and measure rubs their slime off making them susceptible to disease, and bullhead “stings” are unavoidable.
7. Catfish anglers from other states fishing border waters do not buy Minnesota out-of-state licenses. They buy from other states because their laws are more reasonable.
