Problem with the new Bullhead Rule Change!!

RED ALERT. BATTLE STATIONS. SHIELDS UP. SCOTTY, WE NEED MORE POWER!

I have heard that we may have issues with the new proposed bullhead rule changes that are pending. The new rule will allow larger (10”) bullheads but it will restrict catching them to dip nets only. Apparently the language in the new rule will make angling for the larger bullheads illegal.

This isn’t going to work for the majority of us that gather bullheads for bait. The bullhead rule change was being reviewed by a committee and they came up with the dip net requirement and the angling limitations. The reason they put in the dip net only was because that was how they were told that we harvested bullheads. They didn’t think we used hook and line to catch our bait.

We need to talk to Linda Erickson-Eastwood and find out if this is the language and restrictions that are going to be put into the rule change. If it is, we may need to harness some e-mail and telephone calling to the DNR to have them fix the angling issue.

Brian – do you have Linda Erickson-Eastwood’s telephone number and can you give her a call to clarify this?

This won’t affect 7″ and under right?

Gentlemen (and ladies), I submit TO you OUR government and tax dollars at work.

Working on it.

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RED ALERT. BATTLE STATIONS. SHIELDS UP. SCOTTY, WE NEED MORE POWER!

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Ah BrianK – our Scotty.

Do you have online info of where this was seen?

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This won’t affect 7″ and under right?

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Ummmm… Yes it will! The new regulation is going to 10″ and under if passed.

Steve & Brian- Keep us informed! If you need to rally the troops, I can help. I’ve got troops!

I heard it from a friend of a friend.

From what I understand the rule change is still being worked by a DNR committee but that the current position limits angling. Issues like this also have to be reviewed for scientific justification and invasive species considerations.

I can appreciate the effort they are making to get it done right but the trouble is they don’t understand the issue from a catfisherman’s perspective or anybody who actually uses bullheads for bait. Sure you can catch bullheads in certain locations using dip nets but the average flathead angler (and there really aren’t that many of us) harvests his bullheads from a local pond using hook and line. I’m hoping this thing isn’t in concrete yet and we can still influence the final outcome.

Thanks for bringing this to light Comanchero15. Could you imagine had this just passed under the radar?

-You are hereby fined $5,000 dollars and 30 days in jail for catching bullheads on hook and line with the intention of having a blast catching flatheads. Tsk, Tsk, bailiff, get his guy out of my courtroom!

Where did you get your info Comanchero? It defies all common sense so I’m worried it may be true?

Only in Minnesota bahhhhh

Just for the sake of argument… I go down to the local pond and use a hook and line to catch a bunch of 9 inch long Bullheads which I take home and eat. That’s still legal, right? No problem, right?

Now let’s say I’m down on Pool 2 with that 5 gallon pail full of 9 inch long Bullheads. How do you tell if they were caught on a hook and line or with a dip net?

This is pretty silly..

Rootski

So is this purely a live transport issue then? What if I were to (I probably won’t) want to catch a bunch to eat with hook and line? Do I then HAVE to transport them dead? Is it all about how I intend to use them?

If this is the case, there are some real gray areas with this law.

That law would make no sense. Why would it matter if we caught them in a net or with a hook and line?

Friggin ijuts.

I am actually suprised they said dipnets. I would have thought they would have said you can only spear bullheads to use as livebait.

Remember guys, they use binoculars too. So it’s pretty easy to figure out if you were baiting your hook with them.

I had to run over to my neighbors and borrow a couple of his blood pressure pills …now I’ve got to wizz badly.. I shoulda only took two I guess….if we find out this is true get ready (if needed) for battle.

For the record, my post are tongue-in-cheek. I am sure they will see the er in their ways if we correct these people.

You know what it is, they are prejudice against us catters.

Hrmm…

Would be nice if the DNR took in public comment here before this was passed. It makes little sense really. Except for the invasive thing and other enviromental impact studies they need. When you get right down to it, bullheads are not exactly at the top of the endangered species list and shouldn’t need special treatment for use as a baitfish. IE: The method of capture.

There aren’t regulations regarding how other baitfish are captured. Given usual means available that is. So why bullheads? This seems very…fishy…

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Do I then HAVE to transport them dead?

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Anything other than a minnow…according to MN state law…does have to be transported DEAD now.

I know Linda recieved my email, but being a holiday weekend I didn’t think i would get a response.

I’m leaving to catch the new state record but…to answer your question machine head…they did have a public comment period…

I don’t have time to post the link to it…but if it’s not here tomorrow…I’ll dig it up.

As others have stated…that’s nuts! All a person would have to do is carry a dip net with them …and unless the CO saw you catch them on hook and line…wouldn’t be the wiser…

But the whole purpose of this law change is to take stop making criminal (fish and game violators) out of the average flatheader…

Steve received his info from a reputable source…even if it was a freind of a friend…

Hopefully we’ll have some type of answer by the end of next week.

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I’m leaving to catch the new state record but…

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Funny, I thought I was going to do the same.

Anyway, I didn’t know about the comment period. Thanks for heads up.

Fishy?!?!?

Interesting Correlation is what I call it. About the time the bait stores start stocking bullheads for bait, the law is changed to dip nets only. (is this pure conicedence? in all likely hood probably not considering bullheads were a non issue with the state until very recent public distribution.)

Standing to reason that Flat fisherman (who use bullies exclusivly) are SOL. While the bait stores and the Bait Suppliers have a captive audience that has to buy the bullheads. (to fish legaly)

Unfortunately the conflict of interest between the parties standing to gain financially and all parties except the average Flathead fisherman, poses an interesting problem.

There are a very few select that are vending bullheads to area shops as bait in the TC. (they stand to gain nothing by changing the law back to hook an line)

thanks

Larry

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“The reason they put in the dip net only was because that was how they were told that we harvested bullheads. They didn’t think we used hook and line to catch our bait.”

I wonder how they got that idea?

I also think it appropreate to ask.
Is this a measure that could possibly reduce the transmission of species from infested waters?

Larry, I can understand how one could get that impression…but that’s not the case. DirkW and I met with the DNR…and looking back, I can see how they left out the hook and line piece as we spoke mostly of dip netting.

Although there MAYBE some confusion…I personally know the DNR is on our side for two reasons.

1) A year and a half ago no one carried bullheads…that we or the DNR knew about…as this was discussed.

2) When we talked with the DNR they were highly receptive to changing the law…they just weren’t sure how to do it. All they would have had to say is…it’s too much work and there’s too few people involve…it would have been a dead issue.

Again, I hope we’ll have some answers by this time next week.

Brian,
The above post was not directed at you or Dirk directly or even indirectly for that matter. I’m not singling anyone out or mentioning any specific names.

I am noting and mentioning the potential conflict of interest, that this situation poses to everyone.

Up to this point Brian I would have to say that knowing what I know (which is never enough). Your attitude and actions are the reflection of someone with very good intentions who wants to assist people any way you can. You provide valuable leadership and direction to this group. I am unable to speak for Dirk. (having never communicated with him) though in my experience birds of a feather usually flock together.

That being said, I have every confidence that this situation will be handled appropreatly and the confirmation that you and Dirk are prepared to give it due dilegence instead of letting it go under the carpet, is most reassuring, I’m sure for most of us.
thanks
Larry
No hard feelings I hope.

I have little doubt the wording will be changed to allow hook and line, and seign nets.

I am happy to hear that progress is likely to be made.

If the wording doesnt change.. does this mean if I use a dipnet to LAND my bullheads they will be legal? Maybe I can just duct tape a butterfly net to my rod handle?

<Yawn>…’Morning!

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The above post was not directed at you or Dirk directly or even indirectly for that matter.

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Not taken that way at all! You raise a very good point…and looking at the snapshot…it really does look like there’s “other” motivation…I was just concerned that we didn’t shoot the DNR…as they have been VERY open to this matter…and they really don’t have to be…

Heck, just getting the department heads together to listen to Dirk and I about something (in the grand scheme of things) so small as transporting larger bullheads…still amazes me.

(ps that whole leading the group peice you wrote…try to go a little lighter on the booze will ya! )

>Old Post Re: Bullhead Comment Period<

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(ps that whole leading the group peice you wrote…try to go a little lighter on the booze will ya! )

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Sorry Brian, I was running alittle behind at 0645 this am. Note to self…. set alarm earlier to to get a few more cocktails under my belt before heading out to work. Especially if I’m posting on the IDA also (Hic, Urrrp, Ahhh)

Directly from the horses mouth…(sorry Linda! )

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I’m not sure were they got their information, but it is wrong. We actually added the ability to use dip nets along with angling. The proposed language still needs to be approved by the Commissioner.

>>>>>> Brian K 6/30/2006 >>>

Linda this was sent to me today… How can they limit this to dip nets only and not angling?? We have a 100 bullhead limit on angling already.
This would be very confusing to CO’s…I would think?

If I had a choice…it would be open to angling, dip netting or seining following the current rules.

Thanks! Brian

“I have heard that we may have issues with the new proposed bullhead
rule changes that are pending. The new rule will allow larger (10″)
bullheads but it will restrict catching them to dip nets only.
Apparently the language in the new rule will make angling for the larger
bullheads illegal.

This isn’t going to work for the majority of us that gather bullheads
for bait. The bullhead rule change was being reviewed by a committee and
they came up with the dip net requirement and the angling limitations.
The reason they put in the dip net only was because that was how they
were told that we harvested bullheads. They didn’t think we used hook
and line to catch our bait.”

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