Bullhead lenght rule update

I receive a response from the MN DNR about our quest for the use and transportation of longer bullheads today.

“I am currently meeting
with the Commissioner to go over rule language and get his approval to
move ahead. At this point in time, we have not made it to the bullhead
rules, but I hope to in the next meeting scheduled for January 24.
Pending no unforseen obstacles, we are still on track for implementing
the change in 2007…..”

Although I don’t like to count my bullheads before they’re hooked, this has been the most positive communictions from the DNR that I’ve heard.

Still, have to be cautious with popping the champainge bottle….”Pending no unforseen obstacles…”

I hate those unforseen things!

Did they specify what the new legal bullhead size will be if it is changed in 2007? Will it be 10 inches? 8 inches?

I hope they decide to go with a 12 inch length on the bullheads.

That way Briank can say that he is catching fish that are a foot long

Ron

I’ll check Tim, it sounds like they should know by now.

Slider? When we fish together this summer? Bring a helmit.

Speaking of helmets, I’m still waiting for the pic with you wearing yours. Probably won’t be long now though. Hows that new bass boat treatin ya Bud? [couldn’t help myself Bud]
Thanks, Bill

What sort of “use” are you speaking of here???

Quote:

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What sort of “use” are you speaking of here???

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livebait use

Crappace, In MN we can’t legally use a bullhead over 7 inches. Well, we can if we catch it out of the same water we are fishing in.

The problem is that a bullhead 7 inches and under is considered a minnow. Over 7 it’s considered a rough fish. In MN, it’s breaking the law if you transport live fish (not minnows) anywhere. Since bullheads are the bait of choice (most of the time) and there are few in the rivers we fish for flathead catfish…we have to transport them to the river.

Dirk W. came up with the idea to see if we could get the law changed to allow larger bullheads to be transported live. I’ve been helping with DNR communications.

PS if anyone is bringing home their catch in the live well of your boat you are a game law violater in the state of MN.

From the MN DNR….

“Here’s a quick idea of what we are proposing:

Harvest with dip nets and angling.
10 inches as Max.
**100 fish limit – counts towards the current bullhead limit (Means you could only have 100 bullheads total between 7-10 inches).
No transport of live bullheads north of state Highway 210.
Can’t transport live bullheads into MN form boarder states unles have proper commercial licenses.”

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100 fish limit – counts towards the current bullhead limit (Means you could only have 100 bullheads total between 7-10 inches).

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Remember, we are talking about LIVE TRANSPORT here.

So “MY” reading on this is I can have 288 bullheads under 7 inches…PLUS the 100 fish limit…but I can only transport the ones under 10 inches home live.

I vote THANK YOU DNR! (if it goes through in ’07 )

If that goes through we can all pat ouselves on the back for a job well done and then send a big thank you to the DNR. We’ll have to keep our fingers crossed.

A 10 inch bullhead is a big bait. Those that like to play around with big baits should be pretty happy. The big thing for me is no more sorting of bait and it will cut my bait fishing time way down. And, of course, no more late night visits from the game warden