From the MN DNR News Release

Sturgeon fishing expands under proposed rules

A statewide catch-and-release season for sturgeon is among several rule changes proposed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Now, there are only a few waters in the state where anglers can legally fish for sturgeon.

New rules would also affect those who fish for trout and bass, among other species.

“This is the first time in a long time that seasons for major angling species have been changed,” said Linda Erickson-Eastwood, DNR fisheries program manager. “We made the changes based on sound data analysis. They will continue to provide high-quality fishing and additional fishing opportunities.”

The DNR is accepting comments on the proposed rules. Rulemaking documents are available at http://www.mndnr.gov/input/rules/fisheries/statewide.html. The proposed changes include but are not limited to:

GAME FISH REGULATIONS

New statewide catch-and-release seasons for bass and sturgeon.
Close the taking of flathead catfish during the winter.

TROUT LAKE REGULATIONS

Open trout lakes in Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing and Hubbard counties to winter trout fishing.
Little Andrus (Snowshoe Lake) in Cass County; Allen and Pleasant lakes in Crow Wing County; and Bad Medicine Lake in Becker County will remain closed to winter fishing.

OTHER

Require a barb on arrows used for bowfishing.
Open Spring Lake in Itasca County to whitefish netting.
Restrictions placed on where nets can be placed for smelting on Grindstone Lake.
For border waters, changes simplify, provide additional opportunities, make rules consistent with the Minnesota inland regulations, or make consistent with bordering government regulations, as well as clarify the no-culling rule.

The DNR intends to adopt the rule changes without a public hearing unless 25 signatures requesting a hearing are received. Submit requests for a hearing in writing by 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 18. Send comments or questions on the rules or written requests for a public hearing to Linda Erickson-Eastwood, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

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It was 7 years ago this fall when I sent an email to the Lake City DNR office asking if we would see a Lake Sturgeon season on Pool 4 before I died. If I can just make it another year…

Slow down Brian. Don’t get so worked up and excited you don’t get the link right.

web page

LOL! Better send a note to the DNR.

On the other hand you should feel at home going to that “skunked” page.

So does the MNDNR have buy-in from the WIDNR on the closed flathead season? I know the other part of this is making border water regs consistent, but if WI is not on board with closing the flathead season, I don’t think it will make much of a difference.

You don’t really see guys ripping trebles on the Minnesota river in the middle of January…

Last I heard Doug, no.

Doesn’t change the fact it’s the right thing to do.
It will make more people question why there are two laws and that alone will educate more people about the winter dormancy of the flathead.

WI isn’t interested in talking about it’s excessive 25 fish limit for flatheads either last I heard.

With all the science and common sense, I do believe it will change at some point.

to say that the snagging of flathead catfish in the Minnesota river isn’t taking place is completely false…. If you know where they winter you can sit in the woods and watch it happen right in front of your eyes .. I have witnessed this and contacted the Mn DNR about this on separate occasions … If it isn’t a big issue I don’t see that problem on closing the season..

Quote:

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I have witnessed this and contacted the Mn DNR about this on separate occasions

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Thanks for doing your part.

The more people that call the DNR about snagging…of any fish the better off we all are.

My purpose for wanting a closed season it to make it easier on the DNR Co’s. We know they don’t eat below 40 degrees…when the Co comes across a flat during the closed season, he/she doesn’t have to prove it was snagged.

It’s a win for the fish and the sports angler….and makes the poacher easy to spot.

Quote:

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Sturgeon.
[For text of items N and O, see M.R.] 0
Closed. June 16 to April 14 for catch and release only. Closed April 15 to June 15. When the closing date of a season falls on a Saturday, the season does not extend through the following Sunday.

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Mark your calendars. Not sure when it would officially start though.

I asked the same question and it “sounds like” 2015.

This gives WI time to change their rules as well.

Does that mean on the Croix we will only be able to fish 1 Line. Or will we get 3 lines? That kind of scares me with vague sentences about consistent with inland or bordering states.

I haven’t heard any talk of either MN or WI changing the number of hooks we can use.

But then they don’t tell me everything.

Not only should they tell you everything……they should start the discussions with you.