If anyone says the MN DNR doesn’t listen to anglers that can support a change with solid info…I’m here to tell them differently.
This is just the first step in a process, but it is the first step in the (long needed) right direction!
Here’s some quotes from an email I received today. I’ve bolded what I felt would be of interest to flathead and Lake Sturgeon fishermen.
2012 Administrative Rule
Preliminary Proposal Form
Miscellaneous Permanent Rules Relating to Licenses, Stream Trout Fishing in SE Minnesota, Other Fishing Regulations, Border Water Fishing Regulations, and Aquatic Plant Permit Requirements.
For the SE trout fishing proposed changes, the two main organized stakeholder groups [Trout Unlimited (T.U.) and Minnesota Trout Association (MTA)] have generally voiced support for the proposed changes. These recommendations have been widely circulated, and we believe a large majority of anglers support them. Some landowners may notice an increase in resource use and may not support. We also had a few landowners express concern about conflicts with hunting if the season was extended.
The following may be controversial:
1. Trout fishing regulations that open up some of the lakes that are currently closed to winter fishing. Landowners who live near or on these lakes may not be supportive.
2. Putting restrictions on the smelt harvest on Grindstone Lake in Pine County. The harvest of smelt in this area is one of tradition, but the smelt run is no longer very dependable. Those who have fished this area for many years may be opposed to any restrictions or closures.
3. Closing the winter flathead fishing and spearing may not be supported by some anglers and spearing groups.
We don’t anticipate opposition to any of the other proposed changes. Many of the proposed changes would be making the rules consistent with other states or will open up additional fishing opportunities.
Licenses and Permits
Repeal obsolete rules in Chapter 6212, subparts 6212.0100 through 6212.1300. Due to the development and implementation of the electronic licensing system, these rules are either no longer pertinent to the sale of a license, or are covered in Chapter 6213.
Trout Regulations
The recommendations in this proposal for the SE trout fishing areas have been discussed in detail during six open houses that were held for the purpose of including stakeholders in drafting the “Long-Range Plan for Trout Stream Resource Management in southeast Minnesota 2010-2015 and Progress Report”. The plan was approved and implemented in March of 2011. The proposed changes were presented at the Department’s 2011 DNR Roundtable meeting which brings fishing clientele together. Those present were supportive of moving ahead with the proposal. The majority of these proposed changes will provide anglers with additional fishing opportunities, simplify the regulations, and will hopefully result in increased revenues to local communities.
The recommendation to drop the “barbless” gear restriction is supported by research that demonstrated that hooking mortality was not significantly greater with a barb. This proposed change will help simplify regulations for all anglers.
The DNR would like to provide additional fall and winter trout angling opportunities on southeast Minnesota trout streams. The proposals extend the fall catch & release (C&R) season on all designated trout streams from September 30 to October 15; opens all designated trout streams to winter angling; and allows for year-round angling, C&R only, from September 15 up to the Saturday closest to April 15, in three state parks. Current trout population trend data suggests streams can sustain the additional C&R angling effort afforded by the recommended rule change package.
To simplify regulations and provide additional winter trout fishing opportunities, staff have proposed opening some of the lakes in Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard counties. Data on these lakes suggest that the populations could support this extra harvest.
Other Fishing Regulations
The smelt run on Grindstone Lake, Pine County is a very popular spring activity in which 50-100 netters can be seen harvesting on the lake with gill nets. Many conflicts do result from netters trying to get into the best spots. We have also seen a slight decline in the numbers of smelt over the past few years. To help maintain this fishery and reduce conflicts, staff would like to explore some restrictions on harvest methods.
To help control the spread of invasive species, staff are considering possible closures of some lakes to whitefish netting or putting some additional restrictions on this activity. We have also found that Spring Lake’s (Itasca County) population is such that it could sustain netting and should be opened.
Flathead catfish populations are very vulnerable to harvest during the winter season. This species takes many years to grow to trophy sizes and can be easily overharvested if not protected. Staff are proposing a winter closure to protect this species.
The sturgeon populations are doing very well in Minnesota waters. Data shows that these populations are well into recovery on systems like the Red, Rainy, and Mississippi rivers. The populations are such that staff would like to consider opening up C&R fishing year-round for them. This would provide for additional fishing opportunities for this very unique fish.
Border Water Regulations
Annual meetings are held with each of the various border states and Canada to discuss the regulations on those water bodies that are shared. Each state shares their data on the fisheries in these waters and reviews the regulations that have been established to manage them. The goal is to make as many regulations as possible consistent between states/nations based on the best biology, or to at least simplify the rules for anglers and improve enforcement. The changes being proposed are those that either were previously agreed to by the states, or will make them consistent.
Aquatic Plant Permit
The proposed changes will clean up the language by getting rid of obsolete or redundant permit standards. Currently, the only redundant rule being considered for repeal is the prohibition on the harvesting of Nelumbo lutea in areas designated for their protection, because we have no designated Nelumbo protection areas and no process for designating areas to protect Nelumbo. Currently, the regulating of these plants is being done through the normal aquatic plant management permitting process.
The adoption of the rules is authorized in general by Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.045, subds. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 that describes the general powers and duties of the commissioner of natural resources to protect wild animals, modify seasons, regulate boundary waters, and prescribe permits and licenses; and Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.501, subds. 1 and 2 that authorizes the DNR to regulate the taking, buying, selling, transporting, and possession of protected wild animals and endangered species. Other statutory authorities specific to the areas being considered for changes are as follows:
Minnesota Statutes, sections 97C.205, subd. B; 97C.401; 97C.345, subd. 5; 97C.411; 97C.415; 97C.395; 97C.041; 97C.325; 97C.371; 97C.375; 97C.001; 97C.005; 97C.805, subd.1; and 103G.615.
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With any luck (time) I’ll have the full PDF file on-line and down loadable later tonight.
