MN Revised Tournament rules – pass

These new rules will take effect in 2013. Only 25 people commented and no request for a hearing was made. 17 folks commented positively toward the new rules or neutral or that the rules weren’t restrictive enough comments . 8 folks thought no change was needed or they were becoming to restrictive. 2 people requested more info and 1 persons intent was not clear.

So, how many tournaments that are held each year? And how many anglers and leagues and bass clubs are there? But, only 8 people made a comment opposing these new rules.

The new rules mean: Tournament Organizers will need to submit a parking plan when applying for a permit. No 0ff-site weigh-ins will be allowed in July and August (Frankie’s will be affected) and no fizzing will be permitted.

Not related to the new rules – The DNR informed us that contests on Leech lake will be restricted to just Largemouth Bass only. Apparently in a non-permitted event someone made it up to Kabekona Lake and brought back a Smallmouth that was released in Leech. Leech is an AIS designated lake, but Kabekona isn’t. ( not to imply that SM are an AIS, but leech has milfoil)

Can someone explain to me what leech being an AIS lake has anything to to with the smallmouth in leech being able to get weighed in? If they were worried about kabekona wouldn’t they just make that off limits instead of making smallmouth off limits in the whole system?

There are plenty of smallmouth already in leech and has been for a long time in low numbers.in recent years the population has only been getting better.

Eric, two separate issues. One they don’t want folks spreading milfoil from Leech to Kab.

Two: some tournaments up on Leech are operating without a MN DNR permit. Because they are being run by a Band member on Tribally owned water. So, there is no way to make anything off-limits if there isn’t a permit.

The DNR claims that there are no Smallie’s in Leech and they don’t want tournaments to be transporting them to Leech.

If the DNR truly thinks there are no smallmouth in Leech then they are out of their minds and don’t have have a clue what is going on in the fishery. I have talked to many bass guys who caught at least a random one here or there this year alone and have talked to walleye fishermen throughout the years that occasionally catch them. The 1st one I caught out there was 12 years ago and it was 4.75 lbs so it had to be in there for a while before I caught it.

If they can’t make any water off limits for that person then they can’t make smallmouth off limits either can they? So I still don’t see what they are accomplishing.

Still sounds like a load of hogwash to make smallmouth off limits in the entire main lake!

Eric, based on your comments I’d have to agree with you. I never knew Leech had Smallie’s, but then I never thought much about it. All the times I’ve fished it, it was for green fish – not brown. Maybe you would like to email the Area Fisheries Manager and make your information known?

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