Bullhead Lenght Update 7/15/2010

Still smoking off the email press…

From the MN DNR:

We just received the approval from the Gov. to move to the next step with the bullhead rules.

This means we will be filling the rule and posting in the state register.

Once in the state register the law will be effective 5 days after the posting.

So watch for the posting and our news release that will come out shortly after the posting.

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If you are a catfisher person and haven’t signed up for The MN Catfish and Sturgeon Alliance, this might be a good time to join.

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Just pulling together to help improve the catfish and sturgeon fishing in MN.

Send a email to [email protected] for more information.

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Great news!

Man……..was that ever fast….

Thanks again Beeks for keeping us so in touch with these issues. You have done a great deal for the catfish community and I would like to applaud all of your efforts!

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Man……..was that ever fast…

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I know what your saying, but think about it Dirk, it was 2004 when we walked into the DNR office together. Fast??

Thanks Jakob. But just as much credit should go to Dirk as he had much more to do with where we are at than people know.

I’m holding off on popping the cork until I see it in writing. Well, maybe we can have a little out of the ol’ sippi glass.

so what exactly will the rule changes be? I know size was one of the big problem so what will it be now 10 inches?,

We’ll be able to keep and transport the 288 bullheads 7 inches and under as we have now and we’ll also be able to keep and transport 100 more bullies up to 10 inches.

Maybe I should say it this way. We can keep and transport 388 live bullheads with no more than 100 being over 7 inches but less than 10 inches.

There is a restriction for taking them in the northern half of the state, but for flathead fisherman it’s a moot point.

I won’t have access to the exact language until I get home on Monday.

Congrats Brian! I know you’ve put alot into this!

So….size does matter?

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There is a restriction for taking them in the northern half of the state, but for flathead fisherman it’s a moot point.

I won’t have access to the exact language until I get home on Monday.

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let me know when you get back how far north. I live in anoka so i think im alright but it never hurts to ask

You’re good at Anoka. It’s hiway 210 or something like that…I’ll get back with the correct answer. It was a hiway that is clearly too far North to be flathead area.

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The proposed language does not allow the transportation of live bullheads regardless of size north of State Highway 210. Bullheads are considered an undesirable species and significantly alter water chemistry and fish communities when present (Eddy and Underhill, 1974). Introduction of bullheads into waters north of State Highway 210 will be detrimental to those waters. This language is needed to prevent the accidental or intentional transfer of bullheads to the northern part of the state. The language is reasonable because Highway 210 is a commonly used geographic reference for anglers and closely matches the northern most extent of existing bullhead populations. At this time no demand or market for this species has developed in this area. Prohibiting the transfer of bullheads is a reasonable measure to limit expansion of bullheads and possible degradation of water quality and fish communities by their accidental introduction (Inland Fisheries Management in North America, 1993).

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I am curious about what part of the chemistry of a lake and how they change it. Not because I am for transporting them north of 210, just curious.

Since it’s the Northern most border… and if those lake could support bullies they would have them already. It looks like a moot point from my arm chair.

Sure won’t bother the flathead guys.

My only question is, why 10 inches? Why not 7 to whatever you would like to use?

But I’m very happy with the 10″. Bait runners/clickers will have to be adjusted for this size IF a reliable source can be found.

After looking in Dean’s bait tanks today, it seems to me that a reliable source is right there. some of the ‘heads in that tank looked a bit on the largish side.

Getting ready for the rush on e big bullies down there?

PS – Never mind, they’re in WI. WI doesn’t have the restrictions.

So I’m ok with a tank of 10″ers this eve, correct? I have all this stuff to remember now, plug, clean water in the truck, jeez, I miss it when you could just go and relax!

I said it 7 years ago.

Soon a MN Fishing License will run around $300.

Twenty bucks for the license which comes in a PDA with a GPS installed just to tell us what laws pertain to us for the body of water that we are fishing.

Now it will start flashing when we start to drive away from the lake “Is Your Plug Pulled?”

Whiners.

Less expensive than a ticket.

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Whiners.

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Better whiners than winos… although I think eventually the two become linked if the condition goes untreated.

You guys have to realize, regs are like speed limits. My 2 poles last night didn’t help catch me anymore fish. You can consider the Minnesota border waters with Wisconsin, right? I mean, the water eventually gets to the Wisconsin border, right? Am I missing something here?

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Since it’s the Northern most border… and if those lake could support bullies they would have them already. It looks like a moot point from my arm chair.

Sure won’t bother the flathead guys.

My only question is, why 10 inches? Why not 7 to whatever you would like to use?

But I’m very happy with the 10″. Bait runners/clickers will have to be adjusted for this size IF a reliable source can be found.

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So I can’t use bullheads on Lake Vermillion?

Well…using Pug’s rationalization…if you go far enough South, you’ll end up at Lake Vermillion.

I guess.

Now your learning.

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Before I am booted from the MNCSA, I would like to retract my statement above.

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You guys have to realize, regs are like speed limits. My 2 poles last night didn’t help catch me anymore fish. You can consider the Minnesota border waters with Wisconsin, right? I mean, the water eventually gets to the Wisconsin border, right? Am I missing something here?

Thanks Pug! Now we’re thinking like I do! Pool 2 IS border water eventually, and what’s the difference between one 10″ bully on each of two poles or two 5″ bullies on one pole?

Glad that’s settled.

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I tried that one with a CO who busted me for too many poles at the pier by 694.

It wasn’t well-received.

Also, apparently, according to the rules, county lines don’t count as “borders”, at least not so far as DNR enforcement is concerned.

I did manage to escape with nothing more than a $120 fine. I tell ya, not so much worth it. Especially since it was just a matter of being bored and dense. I literally forgot that other line was in the water.

He didn’t seem to buy that one either.

Some COs just don’t have much of a sense of humor.