Opener?

  • steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    April 4, 2006 at 1:05 pm #1227767

    Have MN/WI DNR settled who can fish the ‘Croix that weekend?
    Are us ‘Sconni folks going to be able to go out and fish also?

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18719
    April 4, 2006 at 2:03 pm #435709

    I can’t imagine it will be any different than last year and the DNR will let everyone fish the whole river. Perhaps they could do their JOBS next year and not let this happen. Minnesota should have never changed the rules. The old way of opening the river on Wi opener was perfect. They sure screwed up a good thing. Greedy ba&^$#^&$#^ Fu*^%$%S.

    But hey, I’m not bitter….

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18719
    April 14, 2006 at 7:16 pm #438340

    Has anyone heard “officially” everyone can fish Apr 29 opener?

    JulieL
    Scandia, MN
    Posts: 149
    April 14, 2006 at 9:13 pm #438371

    Yes it is official. Everyone can fish on the 4/29 opener

    eleclady
    Posts: 64
    April 16, 2006 at 2:09 pm #438598

    Is there some official DNR link /statement to this April 29th opener for us WI residents? Our local paper, the River Falls Journal had an article about this issue & indicated the WI opener on the river is May 6th and that the WI DNR is working to get this changed for NEXT year’s opener- back to coinside to the same language that Minnesota has. I heard that the St. Paul paper had a similar story. Can we count on the May 6th date to just not be enforsed by the WI DNR?

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    April 17, 2006 at 3:14 pm #438822

    According to this news release on the Wisconsin DNR website, the opener is May 6th.

    Wi DNR

    News Release

    Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
    West Central Region Headquarters – Eau Claire
    PO Box 4001 Eau Claire, WI 54702-4001
    Phone: (715) 839-3700 TDD: (715) 839-2786
    For Release: April 3, 2006

    Contact(s): David Hausman, Conservation Warden Team Leader, (715) 684-2914

    Wisconsin St. Croix River fishing opener May 6
    EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The walleye and northern pike fishing season for Wisconsin anglers on the Lower St. Croix River will open May 6 this year, one week after the April 29 opening date for the Minnesota season. In most recent years, the seasons have opened on the same date.

    In 2001, the Wisconsin law governing the opening date was changed from the “Saturday nearest May 1” to the “first Saturday in May,” following discussions with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources aimed at making the opening date for the boundary waters consistent with the opening date for inland fishing seasons. However, following the discussions, the state of Minnesota decided to keep the opening date as the Saturday nearest May 1, which this year is April 29, resulting in opening dates that vary by one week. Wisconsin anglers must follow state regulations to fish this Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary water.

    The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is now proposing to move the opening season on the Lower St. Croix River back to “the Saturday nearest May 1.” The proposal is included this year in the Department of Natural Resources Spring Wildlife and Fisheries Rules hearings, which are held beginning at 7 p.m. on April 10 in each county of the state. The St. Croix County meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Indianhead Technical College Cashman Auditorium, 1019 Knowles Ave., New Richmond. People should plan on arriving early to register for balloting.

    If approved the recommendation will be forwarded to the state Natural Resources Board which will decide whether to change the opening date so it will again be consistent between the two states along the Lower St. Croix River.

    eleclady
    Posts: 64
    April 18, 2006 at 1:20 am #438993

    Thanks for the response Jon.

    If anyone on this forum attends the WI DNR hearings on this issue, please lobby/vote to have the language changed back to the ” “the Saturday nearest May 1.” so that the walleye/ northern pike openers match again between Minnesota & Wisconsin.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18719
    April 18, 2006 at 1:58 pm #439109

    Jon-are you of the opinion Wi residents will be ticketed for fishing Apr 29th and Mn residents must fish west half of river? I cannot imagine that.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    April 18, 2006 at 2:32 pm #439116

    I would not put it past them.

    BTW, I will fish where ever I want to on the Croix opener. Under Minnesota regs, it clearly states I must follow the regs from the state which I am licensed. Therefor, the entire St Croix river is open. At least that’s the way I understand the law. I’m making a call to the Mn DNR now….

    -J.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    April 18, 2006 at 2:54 pm #439128

    Per the Minnesota DNR rep I spoke with at 651.296.6157 the entire St Croix will be open, shore to shore.

    Good Luck!

    -J.

    cougareye
    Hudson, WI
    Posts: 4145
    April 18, 2006 at 3:39 pm #439152

    I’ll add that I was out on the “MN Opener” last year (same situation) and watched CO’s NOT ticketing the WI residents. Now I’ll doubt that if you call one that any will be willing to go on record and say don’t worry about it, but of all the times I’ve been checked on the Croix, I’ve found all CO’s(WI, MN, WI State Park) to be very level headed and polite. I don’t think they like the fact that some politicians have made their job more difficult!

    steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    April 18, 2006 at 5:15 pm #439197

    I read somewhere the the CO’s will “remind” WI folks that their opener is a week away. I seriously doubt any tix will be written that weekend.

    Pax
    Woodville, WI
    Posts: 129
    April 26, 2006 at 1:11 pm #441196

    OK….What if I have my MN liscense but am a WI resident. Than I can fish – Right?!? That’s how I would take it.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    April 26, 2006 at 3:41 pm #441253

    Quote:

    OK….What if I have my MN liscense but am a WI resident. Than I can fish – Right?!? That’s how I would take it.

    My understanding is No. That would not be legal. How would you explain having walleye in your possession in Wi a week before the season opened?

    -J.

    mark_johnson
    St. Croix River
    Posts: 940
    April 26, 2006 at 5:08 pm #441284

    Jon, I personally spoke with David Hausman yesterday. He doesnt have an official press release, but positively confirmed that WI residence can fish the St. Croix this weekend as we could last year.
    If anyone wants to talk to him his # is 715-684-2914 x122 at the DNR office. He seemed very knowledgable on the topic and happy to take the time and explain it all to me.
    The new regulation is already in place for next year also so we will not have this problem anymore. From now on the open for both states will be the Sat. CLOSEST to May 1.
    Good luck guys- hope to see you out there.
    Swerv

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    April 26, 2006 at 5:58 pm #441303

    That’s good news for both sides. I didn’t want to get hasseled fishing the Wi side.

    -J.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18719
    April 26, 2006 at 7:20 pm #441337

    Jon-what’s your boat look like? I’ll hassle you for sure.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    April 26, 2006 at 7:53 pm #441355

    Red Yar-Craft 1785 side console with IDA and BFT decals on the windshield. (150 Merc and T-8 on the back)

    See ya on the river

    -J.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18719
    April 26, 2006 at 8:59 pm #441375

    Quote:

    Red Yar-Craft 1785 side console with IDA and BFT decals on the windshield. (150 Merc and T-8 on the back)

    See ya on the river

    -J.

    Just make sure you pull within “crawler throwin” distance. I’ll have Crossin Eyes wing one at you.

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