I was reading an article in the 28 March Outdoor News titled “Legislature dives into VHS Plan” and I got some real bad vibes from what I read. The DNR Assistant Commissioner, Bob Meier, is quoted as saying “It’s the DNR’s top priority this session.” The bill before the legislature is called the VHS Bill (House File 3550) and it outlines a number of regulations to protect fish stocks in the state. Most are aimed at fish stocking and live bait. The DNR officials believe the greatest at-risk bodies of water are Lake Superior and the Mississippi River.
Here is one of the regulations in the bill that got my attention:
– Restrict the taking of minnows (on the “susceptible list”) except on waters that have been tested for VHS.
Last year the DNR tested 30 lakes and this year they want to do 60 lakes, rivers and fish rearing ponds. I hate to be an alarmist but I don’t know if I like where this whole thing is headed. Most of us catfishermen harvest our own bait – this VHS Bill could put a cramp in the way we have done business in the past.