How old does a kid have to be in order to set out lines for them? Do they have to be able to hold the rod? My son is 5 months old and Im taking out this weekend. First time in the boat I hope he likes it. Also is it the same in WI? Start him young so he can be a pro stick by 2! 
Unless you have an extremely advanced 5 month old who can reel in his own fish without intervention, I don’t think you can put a line out for him. In other words, I don’t think the age limit is specified, but as long as a kid can do everything, including casting, they can fish with their own pole. But don’t quote me either. 
A warden told me that as long as the child can actively ‘participate’, it was okay. He described ‘actively’ as being a contributing factor …… holding the pole, trying to reel in, etc……
Sounded like a reasonable limitation to me.
T
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A warden told me that as long as the child can actively ‘participate’, it was okay. He described ‘actively’ as being a contributing factor …… holding the pole, trying to reel in, etc……
Sounded like a reasonable limitation to me.
T
That seems reasonable to me too. It also seems open to interpretation.
Is there nothing in the regs? I don’t have time to look it up, but I assume that they define it some how. I don’t know too many COs who would be any stricter than the ‘actively participate’ explanation above.
No you can not legally put out an additional line for a 5 month old Baby!… 
I had my son in the boat at 1 year. He liked to watch the bobber for awhile, then reel it in. That is actively participating. If a CO tried to write me up for it I would kindly remind him that his salary and the future of his job relies on kids getting into the sport young. That being said I don’t think any CO would have a problem as long as you didn’t fill up a 2 person limit of walleyes with you and your 5 month old.
I think this might fall under the catagory of….”if you have to ask this question then the activity might be a little questionable.” Don’t do it and don’t put the Conservation Officer in the position where he/she has to make a judgement call on this. Just take the kid and have a good time with one line. 
At 6 months old my Son started holding my rod but I will not have a rod out for him till he can reel it in. Now he is 8 months old and he is a great bite alarm he squeals when he see the rod tip move or bobber go down. You never really know how much thay take in. Glad to hear you are getting your little one on the water.
Ya I figured that they had to participate in some way in order to have the extra line. Its just going to be me and the wife in the boat and im sure the two lines and a baby will be enough to handle.
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Ya I figured that they had to participate in some way in order to have the extra line. Its just going to be me and the wife in the boat and im sure the two lines and a baby will be enough to handle.
Exactly!
I’d think confronting the CO on this and making him decide whether to tag or not will usually end up with a tag, you may beat it, but it means your time to do it, I think telling him his job depends on you and your kid is pretty much a garunteed way to watch him write the ticket.
Like others have said, if it’s questionable, it’s probably not allowed.
Al…who learned the hard way not to irk LEO…
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