Your input needed!! Mn Fishing Regs Handbook

I have been asked to participate in a Mn DNR meeting next week regarding the Volunteer Committee with the Mn Fishing Regulations Handbook.
They are looking for ways to improve the layout of the handbook. I would like to go to this meeting to represent all of us here at IDA with some valuable thought out ideas and changes they would like to see on the layout.
Please Note; that this is not a meeting to change any regulation, just a discussion on how to make the handbook more useful to all of us anglers.

My question to all of you is this;
1) What do you find yourself looking for in the Regulations on a consistent basis? (ie, limits, special lake restrictions, opening and closing dates for certain species, fish identifications, etc…)

One idea I have is to provide a page or two in the handbook that covers some of the “most questioned issues” on a cheat sheet if you will either on the first two pages of the handbook or a page in the book that is a bit thicker than all of the other pages for you to easily thumb to.

What are some of your likes or dislikes regarding the layout of the Mn Regulation handbook?

Steve, without giving it any thought…the first thing that comes to mind is…when I’m looking for limits or slots for let’s say walleyes…I find it…only to realize I’m in the Canadian Boarder Waters area…for example.

I have a couple more..but no time right now.

Trout fishing special regs. on certain SE Mn. streams sucks.What when and where !!! ????

Make it in Hmong also.

Quote:

---

Make it in Hmong also

---

Not a bad idea !

I am all ears guys. Keep them coming.

Mat03z,
I could not agree more. If someone asked me some trout stream regs right now. It would take me at least 15 minutes to find it…and then who is to say that I found the right section of river that I am looking for.

I think there are some overdue organizational improvements that could be addressed in my opinion.

Steve,

Two things are important to me:
1) Any changes in basic rules from last year.
2) Special regulations on the lakes I fish.
Everything else is pretty much the same from year to year.

Rootski

Make the MOUNG learn ENGLISH.

Why should we spend more tax money printing these regulations in there home language???????????????
Leave it in english and make them learn it or don’t fish.

A couple of common questions which are followed by many interpretations of the regs come to mind.
1) Number of lines allowed.. i.e. MN allows 2 lines, WI allows 3 – how about a MN resident in WI water and vice versa on the Miss??
2) Legal non-resident fishing area… Railroad track to opposing railroad track?? in a boat only (navigable water)?? fish from the shore within the railroad track boundaries???
I’m sure there will be lots more…

Unless it has changed……..as of 2 years ago, it does not explain that if you stay overnight in MN, you need a MN Lic. Got into a discussion with a DNR officer who said it was just suppose to be common sense. Said it was the law in all surrounding states. After checking, it is only a law in MN. Example…..fish at Red Wing with a Wisconsin lic. you can’t stay night in Red Wing. I then asked, what if you are returning from a fishing trip in Canada or North Dakota and stay night in MN, is it still against the law???? He didn’t know what to say. If the law is now expalined……..sorry………I will get down off the soap box.

They also need to explain the treble/lure reg a little better. Every Warden seems to have a different interpretation especially in the winter with quick strike rigs.

I think the bass limits should be upped…

I think we are getting off track here…

Quote:

---

What are some of your likes or dislikes regarding the layout of the Mn Regulation handbook?

---

Steve, are you looking at clarifing law/rules or JUST the layout/design of the booklet?

Quote:

---

Steve, are you looking at clarifing law/rules or JUST the layout/design of the booklet?

---

I have been asked to go through the handbook page by page and highlight certain areas that I think need improvement (ie, wording, phrasing, interpretation, etc..) To answer your question Brian, both are to be looked at and marked up and brought to the table for discussion. I think the mark ups will be left there after discussion and then a decision will be made what corrections will take place.

I think the most frequently looked at piece is the limits/seasons. These should be more in the front of the booklet…and place the fees/trespass law/ect behind them.

I like the little curved arrow that points out “new”. The glossory should be towards the back also.

(Steve, if they could simplify the whole boarder water laws… just venting….)

With the internet so accesable now a days…the list of DNR offices could be listed…with phone numbers only…no addresses. This would free up some space. No net access? Call the number and ask.

My 03 cents….

I would like to see the state add a new section (page ?) to the handbook at the very begining of the book about fishing etiquette. Basically covering things we have all discussed here in the past. Things that people think of as being inconsiderate of other fishermen. Crowding other boats, controling your wake, tailpiping, manners at the launch, picking up trash in the water/landing, etc…. Basicaly an outline of what would be considered “Good Manners on the Water”.

Maybe you could suggest if they make up something like that, that people be required to read it every time they buy their license?????

Quote:

---

I would like to see the state add a new section (page ?) to the handbook at the very begining of the book about fishing etiquette. Basically covering things we have all discussed here in the past. Things that people think of as being inconsiderate of other fishermen. Crowding other boats, controling your wake, tailpiping, manners at the launch, picking up trash in the water/landing, etc…. Basicaly an outline of what would be considered “Good Manners on the Water”.

---

Good idea Jack.

Quote:

---

I would like to see the state add a new section (page ?) to the handbook at the very begining of the book about fishing etiquette. Basically covering things we have all discussed here in the past. Things that people think of as being inconsiderate of other fishermen. Crowding other boats, controling your wake, tailpiping, manners at the launch, picking up trash in the water/landing, etc…. Basicaly an outline of what would be considered “Good Manners on the Water”.

Maybe you could suggest if they make up something like that, that people be required to read it every time they buy their license?????

---

also add this to the hunting regs only include hunting etique and such

Maybe they could make it weather proof. How many times have your had you copy get soaked in the boat/rain/snow?? Maybe just the suggested slot “cheat sheet” could be laminated or something.