Heads up to MN catfishermen using live bait

I wanted to give everyone a heads up about the new invasive species laws that went into effect this past legislative session so you’re not caught off guard. If you transport live bait in your boat, this applies to you. READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY. For most MN catfishermen, the 2nd scenario will apply.

According to the new law, when fishing state waters, all water must be drained from the boat, including livewells even if they were only used for bait you hauled to that waterbody. Portable bait containers can be removed from the boat and put back in the vehicle.

When fishing INFESTED waters (which basically means any catfish river in MN) you must drain ALL water from the boat’s livewells and bait containers, INCLUDING any portable container you put on the boat with live bait. Bottom line is that once you put a portable bait container in your boat on infested waters, count on it being drained. If a Conservation Officer catches you with a bait cooler with water in the boat, or putting that container back in your vehicle, that’s trouble.

To prevent yourself from getting a ticket and costing yourself time and money on getting bullheads or suckers, here is what I would recommend…transport clean water in the boat (in your livewell or bait well or whatever), keep a portable bait container (cooler or similar bait container with a lid) with clean water. Before you leave the boat ramp, transfer your bait into the clean water on your vehicle and drain your boat’s livewell, bait well, and any portable bait well on your boat before you leave. If you plan to save bait, always keep that fresh cooler of water IN YOUR VEHICLE. And remember that you can’t collect bait from infested waters.

This is going to mean a little more work for everybody, but reading this now and planning ahead may keep you from losing your hard earned bait at the very least and possibly getting a ticket. If you don’t have access to well water, pick up a bottle of chemicals to treat tap water from a pet store. You want something to remove chlorine and choramines.

Last thing, don’t kill the messenger.

Joel

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Last thing, don’t kill the messenger.

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Thanks for the heads up Joel.

The above just tells me I’m 6 months late in creating the MN Catfish/Sturgeon Alliance and the DNR’s advisory committee.

I think it’s safe to say that most if not all cat guys gill their bait tanks at home and keep the water separated from river water until the bait is gone. Then it’s dumped.

Personally speaking my bait tank doesn’t see water from any place but from a well or my city water.

I’m guessing this is to help enforcement.

Again, another law created without the cat fishing community in mind. <sigh>

Very good advise Joel! I have been doing that for years so I can flush my live well at the launch to prevent the nasty stink in the garage

This should be issue #1 for the MNSCA to bite into

joel,

here is my scenario.

when i go out, i fill my livewell with water from my tap, and keep the bullheads in there. i never run the pumps or “contaminate” the water while fishing. so, am i ok to leave with that water still in my livewell? it is tap water when i get there, and still the same clean tap water when i leave.

any ideas?

if i’m reading the rules right, here is how i interpret them. if i put clean water in my livewell, and it is never contaminated, i still have to drain it. but, i can leave a cooler of the same clean water, from the same tap in a cooler in my truck, and that water is ok to put the bait back into and transport?

that makes absolutely no sense…

Perch and all,

Remember this law does not have the cat fisherman in mind. Especially the hard core cat guys that take more bullheads along then they will use in one outing.

Side note: Advisory Board request email has been sent.

I agree with Perch. Seems like an enforcement nightmare. How do you prove which water is which? Unless you have a portable lab that is.

Thanks for posting MDNR. I appreciate your willingness to try an help people to understand. Wouldn’t the fish in the contaminated water also be contaminated? Also if you have bait left over and no clean water cooler, what should you do with your bait? Do you throw it on shore or release it?

Unless I am reading it wrong, it seems pretty reasonable to me.

It is pretty hard to monitor people when they are out on the water. So you don’t know if people have been recycling the livewell with river/lake water. It is also possible that some undetected incidental contamination could happen and the boater would not be aware of it.

By enforcing people swapping out possibly contaminated water with fresh water when they get back to the ramp, they are administering an ounce of prevention.

Do you want your local bait pond to get VHS and ruin your supply?

I guess because they didn’t have catfishermen in mind or any shore fishing situations, none of this pertains to shore fishermen? I’d think it should as shore guys probably swap water in and out of bait containers all the time.

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Wouldn’t the fish in the contaminated water also be contaminated? Also if you have bait left over and no clean water cooler, what should you do with your bait? Do you throw it on shore or release it?

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Kev, we haven’t been able to take home “live” fish in years. The live well in our boats must be drained and if you want to use a bucket we can, as long as there isn’t any water in it.
As far as extra bait goes, it must be “disposed of properly and not released into a lake or river”.

The way I read it Pug is bank fisherman’s bait would not be affected by this since the language talks about “watercraft” only.

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I’d think it should as shore guys probably swap water in and out of bait containers all the time.

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I can’t speak for the DNR or the Legislators…

We have to remember what the “spirit” of this law is about. Transporting invasive from one body of water to another.

With that said, I don’t know how many bank fisherman take contaminated water from one body to another. In fact, I don’t see cat guys taking their bait tanks from one body to another. They fish the rivers or a river system.

One other work around…IF you live close to the area you’re fishing. Bullheads live a good while outside of water. Empty the water out of your bait tank and drive home. Once home fill your tank.

Someone will have to ask for a grant to study the effects of stressed bullheads.

Hey Joel, thanks for taking the time to give us a heads up and a quick bit of advice. You give the DNR a better public face than it would normally have at the hands of a CO with ticket book a bad attitude.

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The way I read it Pug is bank fisherman’s bait would not be affected by this since the language talks about “watercraft” only.

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That’s insane. In my experience, the shore fisherfolk are much less likely to know or abide by rules like this, which means they’re more likely to spread things like VHS and the new rules aren’t doing anything about them. Putting a bait bucket in your truck/car after being at the water shouldn’t be any different from shore than from a boat.

And as for putting live bait back in the “clean” water in your truck… isn’t sticking a dipnet in your “contaminated” water and dumping the bait in your other container just as bad as transporting the water they were in in the first place?

I’m not outraged about it, I just think it’s another lame attempt to control something without actually thinking it thru. I know the DNR has a hard job, but they don’t need to make it harder by looking ridiculous or by giving us all rules to follow that make no sense.

It makes us suspicious and cynical, if nothing else.

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joel,

here is my scenario.

when i go out, i fill my livewell with water from my tap, and keep the bullheads in there. i never run the pumps or “contaminate” the water while fishing. so, am i ok to leave with that water still in my livewell? it is tap water when i get there, and still the same clean tap water when i leave.

any ideas?

if i’m reading the rules right, here is how i interpret them. if i put clean water in my livewell, and it is never contaminated, i still have to drain it. but, i can leave a cooler of the same clean water, from the same tap in a cooler in my truck, and that water is ok to put the bait back into and transport?

that makes absolutely no sense…

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No, even “clean” water must be drained from boat. Even if you didn’t run any water from the river or lake through your system, you need to drain that water. That is how I read the regulation and I got an officer’s interpretation which confirmed that. It is set up that way to take the uncertainty out of it. For enforcement reasons, all water simply needs to be drained from the boat. Even if you load a clean water cooler onto your boat, then fish, then come back, that cooler then needs to be drained. If you want to transport ANY water, NEVER take it out of your vehicle.

And just to clarify something…DNR Game and Fish Bill was vetoed this year. To my knowledge, this bill was written by a legislator and passed. I don’t think any advisory committee would have had an influence with this one. I could be wrong, but that’s how I remember this going down.

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Thanks for posting MDNR. I appreciate your willingness to try an help people to understand. Wouldn’t the fish in the contaminated water also be contaminated? Also if you have bait left over and no clean water cooler, what should you do with your bait? Do you throw it on shore or release it?

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The fish probably could be considered contaminated, but then again so could the drops of water on your hooks, sinkers, floats, and landing nets. All depends on how far the law makers want to push these things.

Unused bait should be dumped on shore or in a trash receptacle, never released. I’m sure someone is waiting to jump me about parks saying no dumping fish and the conflict there, but I didn’t write the laws so I don’t have a response for that.

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I guess because they didn’t have catfishermen in mind or any shore fishing situations, none of this pertains to shore fishermen? I’d think it should as shore guys probably swap water in and out of bait containers all the time.

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It is already illegal to transport water from an “infested waterbody.” So anyone swapping out water in the Mississippi, whether on shore, in a boat, or on the ice is already illegal.

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It is already illegal to transport water from an “infested waterbody.” So anyone swapping out water in the Mississippi, whether on shore, in a boat, or on the ice is already illegal.

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And yet I had a CO once tell me (or was it a 3 Rivers PD officer? Can’t recall…) that 90% of cross contamination between infested waters and/or new infestations is due to waterfowl, specifically ducks and geese. According to the enforcement guys they almost never issue a citation based on any of the infested waters rules.

Not that this means I’m going to abuse it… I (due to mindless carelessness) got one citation in 2008, I don’t need another one any time soon!

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Even if you load a clean water cooler onto your boat, then fish, then come back, that cooler then needs to be drained.

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…and I was trying to get away from drinking soda.

Well BK looks like I better start tying up some Catfish flies for you guys. Or maybe you could try big crank baits.

This whole “process” is getting scary. How long before they decide that an anchor rope soaked up full of water could transport VHS or spiny water fleas or something? How about water trapped in your lower unit? Or the fact that most drain plugs are above the bottom of the boat, and don’t let it all drain out. Neither does my livewell for the same reason. If I pull the plug and drain out my livewell, and a little water is still in there, do I get pinched for that? I understand the thinking behind some of these rules, however the practical application is a whole different story. The laws are already getting so complicated it’s getting tough to comprehend and comply.

My favorite episode so far was the kid I met at the public access on Spirit Lake as I was launching my boat. He started giving me the annual sticker and invasive species lecture. He actually asked me what body of water I would be fishing next…..As I was backing down the ramp. I pointed at the end of the ramp and said “Duh”

Rootski

Thanks Joel!

I as well as many others like having you here!

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I just think it’s another lame attempt to control something without actually thinking it thru. I know the DNR has a hard job, but they don’t need to make it harder by looking ridiculous or by giving us all rules to follow that make no sense.

It makes us suspicious and cynical, if nothing else.

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you obviously do not chase waterfowl in this great state of ours.

Joel, you are not writing the laws, or enforcing them, so none of this rant is directed at you, whatsoever.

but, pardon me, but the portion of the DNR that creates these rules, are absolute morons most of the time. they are worried that my livewell may have contaminated water in it, but not my net, or anchor line, or drift sock, etc.

how about the mallard that lands in an infested lake and then carries it to another lake?

and i love the part about not transporting water, but bait is ok. so, i can have my livewell full of infested water, and the bullheads into it. when i leave, i have to throw out the water, but not the bait, i can put it in another cooler, and then use that bait in another body of water? how does that make any sense!?!

due to flooding, and animal activity, the chance of actually stopping an invasive species is probably less then 10%, but lets continue to penalize the taxpayers and people who “enable” these lawmakers, and DNR officials.

another perfect example of ineptitude – the youth waterfowl hunt, and now the youth deer hunt.

the limits out in western mn to protect the EPP geese, that supposedly live there.

half of the regulation book is a joke.

thanks again MN DNR for making it easier and easier for you write us citations, and boost that “taxpayer contribution” level each and every year…

Perch_44 for MNSCA President!!

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Perch_44 for MNSCA President!!

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don’t get me going on the DNR…i haven’t even started yet…

We should probably just introduce the Silver carp into the pools that they don’t exist and the Minnesota. Heck, throw them in every puddle of water. I think instead of taking any preventative measures we should just expedite all infestations and then we can remove these crazy laws.

That ought to keep this thread rolling for a few more pages.

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And just to clarify something…DNR Game and Fish Bill was vetoed this year. To my knowledge, this bill was written by a legislator and passed.

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Wish I had the time to find out whom this legislator was.

well, at least i can still enjoy my weekly muskie fish fry…

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well, at least i can still enjoy my weekly muskie fish fry…

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You better be hosing off those bucktails when you are done. Or are you supposed to burn them after the day on the water?

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well, at least i can still enjoy my weekly muskie fish fry…

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You better be hosing off those bucktails when you are done. Or are you supposed to burn them after the day on the water?

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i just keep the “contaminated” ones seperate, and once a week, wash them off with used motor oil and antifreeze as i dump it into the river.

kill two birds with one stone!!

i for one wont be losing any sleep over this nonsense. thank’s for the heads up though.

Blame these gentalmen and not the DNR >>>Senate Authors Rosen ; Frederickson ; Anderson

H.F. No. 3355, 1st Engrossment – 86th Legislative Session (2009-2010) Posted on Mar 11, 2010

1.1A bill for an act

1.2relating to natural resources; requiring a person to drain water from watercraft

1.3before transportation on public roads; modifying civil penalties;amending

1.4Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 84D.10, by adding a subdivision; 84D.13,

1.5subdivision 5.

1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 84D.10, is amended by adding a

1.8subdivision to read:

1.9 Subd. 4. Persons leaving public waters. A person leaving waters of the state must

1.10drain bait containers, other boating-related equipment holding water excluding marine

1.11sanitary systems, and live wells and bilges by removing the drain plug before transporting

1.12the watercraft and associated equipment on public roads. Drain plugs, bailers, valves, or

1.13other devices used to control the draining of water from ballast tanks, bilges, and live

1.14wells must be removed or opened while transporting watercraft on a public road. Marine

1.15sanitary systems are excluded from this requirement.

1.16 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 84D.13, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

1.17 Subd. 5. Civil penalties. A civil citation issued under this section must impose

1.18the following penalty amounts:

1.19(1) for transporting aquatic macrophytes on a forest road as defined by section

1.2089.001, subdivision 14 , road or highway as defined by section 160.02, subdivision 26, or

1.21any other public road, $50;

1.22(2) for placing or attempting to place into waters of the state a watercraft, a trailer, or

1.23aquatic plant harvesting equipment that has aquatic macrophytes attached, $100;

2.1(3) for unlawfully possessing or transporting a prohibited invasive species other

2.2than an aquatic macrophyte, $250;

2.3(4) for placing or attempting to place into waters of the state a watercraft, a trailer, or

2.4aquatic plant harvesting equipment that has prohibited invasive species attached when

2.5the waters are not designated by the commissioner as being infested with that invasive

2.6species, $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense;

2.7(5) for intentionally damaging, moving, removing, or sinking a buoy marking, as

2.8prescribed by rule, Eurasian water milfoil, $100;

2.9(6) for failing to drain water, as required by rule, from watercraft and equipment

2.10before leaving designated zebra mussel, spiny water flea, or other invasive plankton

2.11infested waters of the state, $50 $250; and

2.12(7) for transporting infested water off riparian property without a permit as required

2.13by rule, $200.

It seems to me that the best thing to do is to infer that you shouldn’t contaminate your bait with river water… You can be a cynic, follow the law, and still contaminate another body of water with vhs or something.

One question I do have is, how long does vhs or other invasive species live outside of water? And maybe that’s one of the reasons lawmakers haven’t gone as far as to say a saturated anchor rope is cause for concern (And yes I do realize that we need to clean our boats of aquatic plants and stuff to prevent the spread)

Anyway, laws only apply to the downright stupid, because anyone with have a brain was practicing them before they were ratified (in most cases).

-Mike