Quote:
Seems anyone keeping minnows alive most of the summer months will need lake access with baittamers to achieve cool temps and oxygen anyway??
Everyone forgets about us slimy catfish guys. Our numbers are growing…not that we’ll ever be a walleye group…but I can dream.
I keep bait most all summer and the only time it sees river water is when it goes kerplop.
Like it or not, it’s here.
Quote:
Headed to Mn this sunday for a week of fishing. So I want to be prepared with this new law. I am wondering if the live well plugs have to be pulled as well? And how about the cooler plug? Only one of the wells might end up with lake water in it, but we are mostly CPR. So we really don’t “fill” the boat up with lake or river water, but would hate to get a ticket for not taking a few extra minutes to pull some plugs.
Thanks guys.
FDR
It is also illegal to transport ANY water from the lake or river. If you have any water on board, you will need to prove where it came from. For instance, if you need to keep bait alive and have bait water on board and are transporting it. You need proof of where the water came from.
-J.
Francisco,
No water can be transported whether it’s in a cooler, bait well or anyplace in your boat.
I’m still checking on 1/2 drank bottles of water. 
BK,
If you can prove the water is not lake/river water, you can transport it.
-J.
Quote:
BK,
If you can prove the water is not lake/river water, you can transport it.
-J.
And how do you prove it? You can’t put a stamp on the water that says “Bob’s Bait”. You can carry a receipt that says you bought bait from Bob, but how do you prove the water didn’t come from the creek running behind the bait shop?
I agree it is important to protect the resources for the future, but I think the law is stupid, plain and simple. I don’t see a difference in draining my boat at the launch and putting the plug back in and taking the plug out at the launch and leaving it out. If you have any water left in the boat that didn’t drain, you scatter it all the way home when you hit bumps.
If you get stopped, they pull your plug, and water comes out, then fine. Give a ticket. If your boat is empty, it shouldn’t be an issue.
I’m hoping a little common sense will be applied with this law.
let us know how this works out for you! I’ll take the three seconds it takes to put a plug back in before backing down the ramp.
Quote:
let us know how this works out for you! I’ll take the three seconds it takes to put a plug back in before backing down the ramp.
It’s more about the point than it is about actually working for me. If I lived in Minnesota, I’m sure I would pull the plug and goose step along like a good little nazi follower. I just think its a senseless law that wasn’t very well thought out before being passed.
Maybe for bait, the key here is “in the boat” I don’t do much lake hopping nor bring bait home, but I see a 60qt cooler in the truck full of distilled water (I live in mpls and can’t use their water for the clorine) and add a block of ice.
Keep the bait you started with in a minnow bucket or container and use that while fishing, afterwards, drain the water out of them and dump the bait into the cooler till ya get home or the next lake.
This all kinda stinks of how the politicans in general think, they pull the same crap with education and their “you can’t spend to much on education” no matter how unwisely BS.
Maybe the fines will help pay for the new football stadium? 
al
Quote:
BK,
If you can prove the water is not lake/river water, you can transport it.
-J.
How would you go about this? What kind of proof?
Thanks,
FDR
Well how should we prevent invasive species from spreading?? Need a solution to it. I don’t want the fish killing virus found in many great lakes and some inland lakes in Wisconsin (Proven to cause large scale fish kills) to even POTENTIALLY hit Rainy Lake or any other lake for that matter. I don’t want Millfoil choking out our bays critical for spawning habitat on a non stocked fishery, and therefore am OK with having people check trailers also. We have spiny water fleas on Rainy as I believe LOTW does also. They are feared to potentially compete with Zoo plankton which our forage fish feed on, if that balance is effected could very well have terrible devastation to a fishery. Rainy Lake was at the forefront of a protective slot which people threatened peoples lives over. Now everyone likes to point out how wise it was to take that proactive step to keep those big spawners producing, and wish there area fishery had such big quality fish to be enjoyed. We’re early in this game as far as the spiny water fleas is concerned, so biologists likey don’t know potential impacts for the longterm of a fishery. I talk with DNR personel often at boat landings, and think the DNR is doing a dilligent job protecting a resource. They have a tough job on their hands NO DOUBT. Do I like increased laws on the water….NOT. I deal with it on a daily basis. Yet I will PROMISE if the deadly fish virus which name eludes me at the moment, and has been found in Wisconsin…….. Lake Michigan or Other big fisheries like Lake Erie hits Minnesotas lakes and rivers you won’t likey even need to be concerned about transporting live bait, because Lakes like Rainy lake will likely rule against having any “Livebait” at all. I won’t blame them either. I thoroughly enjoy the ability to boat large fish, and fish in the “Yester-Years” on a day to day basis. We already can’t transport livebait on the Canadian side of Rainy. I really believe this MIGHT be the lesser of 2 evils here boys. Glad to see others are willing to step up on the side of future clean waters stuffed with big fish also. If you add “pull the plug” or “Place the plug” to your checklist at the ramp, and then move to the parking lot to stow away last minute items…. Likely there will be little or no water to drain. If that water does sprinkle out on bumps I have to believe that would be better than directly from Lake A to Lake B?? I’m certainly not a fisheries biologist, and am unfamiliar with the logistics of such a transfer of invasive species. Still I believe they currently are being transferred on a wider scale through our great lakes, and then on a lesser degree from individual boats like ours. I believe this should be addressed first and foremost, but regardless this is what we are dealing with right now. These are the cards were dealt with team. If the invasive species that threaten our lakes and rivers can live in a livewell for a day or 2 in the right conditions than this WILL be serve as a way to mix Infested waters with non-infested waters. This my friends is an issue far more complex in scope than putting your plug in/out. 
With that being said I believe the DNR needs to allocate more funds to an educational process that can narrow the gap between educating us as anglers, so we all can be part of the solution rather than being deemed as the problem. We all know they need work in that department. Still even with proper education on a limited DNR budget to do so there will be some that don’t care regardless. That to me is unfortunate, and our fisheries will lose.
While I agree with the intent of all this – I really find fault with the new law – both the semantics of it and the enforcement issues that will result because of it.
I like to fish Superior a little bit. The thought of potentially getting a ticket for ‘forgetting’ a drain plug when leaving the lake, while a 1000 footer pumps tens of thousands of gallons of ballast water into the harbor in the background really chaps my hide.
Yes, I understand the issue, yes I understand the intent of the law, and yes I want to do everything practical to help the cause. But at the same time, targeting the sportsman while the bigger issue is UNADDRESSED really pisses me off. I get the feeling that our SPINELESS lawmakers looked at the big picture and decided the easy target was the sportsman. It was an easy, feel-good move for them to make this law while IGNORING the main issue. It will wind up being nothing more than another BU****IT money grab by our useless gov’t. 
Feel free to PM me and I will tell you how I really feel!
T
Quote:
Quote:
BK,
If you can prove the water is not lake/river water, you can transport it.
-J.
How would you go about this? What kind of proof?
Thanks,
FDR
I carry a couple gallon jugs of water. (Both for bait and dog) If the CO questions the validity of the bait water, I can offer to change it out right in front of him. I’ve run this scenario by 2 CO’s this year and both agree I’m in compliance.
-J.
I’m with you to a certain point Chris (and others). I don’t have much of a problem with the drain plug being pulled out in itself.
My issue is with my bait cooler or others with bait. If it’s well or tap water why should it matter if it’s in my boat or in my vehicle. It’s already against the law to transport infested water in either.
IMO the reason this law stinks like a festering bullhead is because it all about enforcement. It assumes that everyone transports water (contaminated water) and gives the CO the right to write a ticket whether we are transporting “infested” water or not.
It assumes we are guilty.
I heard a couple weeks ago that I really liked.
“Laws are not written for enforcement (CO’s), they are written for US to enforce (willfully obey).”
This transporting water law was written for enforcement and we are assumed guilty until we can prove our innocents.
Actually, it might be unconstitutional.
Hey Timmy,
Very valid concern, and this was precisely what I was referring to. This is a Great Lake to Great lake huge threat. I don’t personally know that this isn’t being addressed?? Yet personally I am also concerned about a Great lake to inland lake/river transport. I personally don’t think anglers need to be singled out either. I do however think this transfer of species are two seperate issues, and also hope BOTH are dealt with Efficiently and effectively. For guys like yourself that hit Superior,and then a local lake or river the Drain Plug law is “Your Right” earmarked likley for anglers like yourself. I’m not sure of the logistics of dumping ballast water, or any possible way of curbing that problem considering the magnitude of these vessels. I would argue preventing a Great lake to smaller lake transfer of invasive species might seem or attainable from a logistical standpoint. I’m personally most concerned with the end results, yet am absolutely in favor of universal enforcement of a law for the better of us all. That includes proper measures taken for the big Tankers entering port on Lake Superior. Heck I hold a TWIC Card to simply be a fishing guide, so maybe I’ll swing by!! 
I think I’ll dring a Pop intsead of water. 
If you want a big water trip….I’m a PM away. 
I am totally on board with the logic and intent behind the law, but I feel like we are shoveling snow with a teaspoon in the middle of a blizzard when I think of the great lakes issues…. Where did most invasives come from? Think about the millions of gallons of water pumped into the GL’s from overseas…….It needs to stop!
Meanwhile, I will continue to attempt to remember to drain my boat. I never did it before, because the bilge pumps kept my hull ’empty enough’ – but admittedly, that leaves a little water in the hull. In fact, pulling the plug only drains all the water if the boat is still on the incline….on flat ground, my boat tilts down a touch on the trailer…..no draining….
T
I agree with that philosophy BK, and unfortunatley innocent anglers who actually attempt to do the right thing will likely be inconvienenced because certainly not all of us would be willing to dilligently police ourselves with enough confidence to entrust our lakes and rivers with this task apparently. Thus we as water participants have to deal with a DNR enforced law to help preserve our fisheries. I hold fast that airing on the side of caution to me seems worth the effort. Personally I feel obligated to help preserve the future of our fisheries, and understand the logistical problems of enforcement which will offend anglers. As I mentioned earlier then if we can come to an agreement that Invasive Species is threat to our lakes and rivers then we need to find a viable solution if this is unacceptable?? Those that feel it is completly **** **** lets here what it is?? It would be my assumption that our DNR hasn’t figured out another alternative either, and thus BLAM this is what we’ve got to deal with. I believe invasive species on a larger scale is a much more descructive in theory than managing my minnow supply on a day to day basis as a fishing guide let alone weekend angler. Much Love to smiley Laura and the Rainy Lake One Stop Team!! Thanks for continuing to pick out the lucky ones for this “Lake Hugger” BTW I’m a “Walleye Hugger” too!! For Gods sakes I’m still catching those fish on Jigs!! Trust me I’m a winger on the minority side of that up here also!! I’m out on this one. Good topic and good respectful arguments on both sides. Hope our fish and fisheries are the winning participants.
i might be a little out of touch here but am i understanding this right that it is ILLEGALE to trailer your boat on any road in minnesota with the plug in?
I agree with the intent of the law, as I have said. I agree with draining your boat and your livewells at the ramp. I already do ALL of that. I agree that we don’t want to move stuff from one body of water to another. We just got spiny water fleas in the Madison lakes last year or the year before. They are a pain. I just don’t think a law requiring you to keep your drain plug out makes any sense.
even with your plug out, there is some residual water in the hull, unless you stand the boat on end. If you forget to put your plug in, when you back in, you just mixed that old water into the lake. Yes, there is less chance than if everybody pumps their bilge into the lake. I get it. I’m just pointing out that it isn’t a total solution.
We have laws in Wisconsin that you have to drain your boat and livewells, as well as pull off any weeds from your trailer before leaving the launch. I FULLY agree with leaving the water where it came from.
My solution for Minnesota is to do the same as Wisconsin. If you get stopped and have water in your wells, or they pull the plug and it pisses on their shoes, you should get a ticket. If they check you and find nothing in your wells or your boat, they shouldn’t give you a ticket. Plain and simple.
For those that are going to argue that it is harder to enforce because you can see if a plug is out without stopping somebody, I would agree that it is in certain situations, but not on the road. I just don’t like the law. I totally agree with the intent, but think the law is stupid and will only be enforced when the CO is in a crappy mood.
You got it slack. Or any water in your cooler, live well, bait well or bait cooler. Whether it’s lake/river water or not. (unless you can prove it’s not lake/river water)
Please remember, the MN DNR could have done this themselves if they thought it was needed. It was our elected officials that enacted this law.
Quote:
Please remember, the MN DNR could have done this themselves if they thought it was needed. It was our elected officials that enacted this law.
THAT RIGHT THERE is the main reason I think its a stupid law. A stupid law created by largely uninformed politicians.
Quote:
Well how should we prevent invasive species from spreading?? Need a solution to it. I don’t want the fish killing virus found in many great lakes and some inland lakes in Wisconsin (Proven to cause large scale fish kills) to even POTENTIALLY hit Rainy Lake or any other lake for that matter. I don’t want Millfoil choking out our bays critical for spawning habitat on a non stocked fishery, and therefore am OK with having people check trailers also. We have spiny water fleas on Rainy as I believe LOTW does also. They are feared to potentially compete with Zoo plankton which our forage fish feed on, if that balance is effected could very well have terrible devastation to a fishery. Rainy Lake was at the forefront of a protective slot which people threatened peoples lives over. Now everyone likes to point out how wise it was to take that proactive step to keep those big spawners producing, and wish there area fishery had such big quality fish to be enjoyed. We’re early in this game as far as the spiny water fleas is concerned, so biologists likey don’t know potential impacts for the longterm of a fishery. I talk with DNR personel often at boat landings, and think the DNR is doing a dilligent job protecting a resource. They have a tough job on their hands NO DOUBT. Do I like increased laws on the water….NOT. I deal with it on a daily basis. Yet I will PROMISE if the deadly fish virus which name eludes me at the moment, and has been found in Wisconsin…….. Lake Michigan or Other big fisheries like Lake Erie hits Minnesotas lakes and rivers you won’t likey even need to be concerned about transporting live bait, because Lakes like Rainy lake will likely rule against having any “Livebait” at all. I won’t blame them either. I thoroughly enjoy the ability to boat large fish, and fish in the “Yester-Years” on a day to day basis. We already can’t transport livebait on the Canadian side of Rainy. I really believe this MIGHT be the lesser of 2 evils here boys. Glad to see others are willing to step up on the side of future clean waters stuffed with big fish also. If you add “pull the plug” or “Place the plug” to your checklist at the ramp, and then move to the parking lot to stow away last minute items…. Likely there will be little or no water to drain. If that water does sprinkle out on bumps I have to believe that would be better than directly from Lake A to Lake B?? I’m certainly not a fisheries biologist, and am unfamiliar with the logistics of such a transfer of invasive species. Still I believe they currently are being transferred on a wider scale through our great lakes, and then on a lesser degree from individual boats like ours. I believe this should be addressed first and foremost, but regardless this is what we are dealing with right now. These are the cards were dealt with team. If the invasive species that threaten our lakes and rivers can live in a livewell for a day or 2 in the right conditions than this WILL be serve as a way to mix Infested waters with non-infested waters. This my friends is an issue far more complex in scope than putting your plug in/out.
With that being said I believe the DNR needs to allocate more funds to an educational process that can narrow the gap between educating us as anglers, so we all can be part of the solution rather than being deemed as the problem. We all know they need work in that department. Still even with proper education on a limited DNR budget to do so there will be some that don’t care regardless. That to me is unfortunate, and our fisheries will lose.
Sorry hard to deal with run on sentences, but I think even saying your going to stop this is a fruitless gesture, what you can hope for is to slow it down enough to find a way to eliminate things like virus’s.
But more to the point.
Considering few boats are really empty when the drain plug is pulled, it is like shoveling a snowstorm with a spoon as someone said.
Because anybody isn’t happy with the new law, doesn’t mean their against trying to save our waters, most seem unhappy with it’s effectiveness.
Prove the water you have didn’t come from a lake??
please……they should have to prove it did.
While I’m all for doing something, knee jerk actions usually don’t any good, and that’s what we have here, politicians doing more feel good crap.
Stop it…easy forbid people from lake jumping, other than that, I doubt anything else will as it stands, this law included.
Al
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
BK,
If you can prove the water is not lake/river water, you can transport it.
-J.
How would you go about this? What kind of proof?
Thanks,
FDR
I carry a couple gallon jugs of water. (Both for bait and dog) If the CO questions the validity of the bait water, I can offer to change it out right in front of him. I’ve run this scenario by 2 CO’s this year and both agree I’m in compliance.
-J.
Thanks Jon. 
I think it would be quicker to pull the plug than read this post.
My plug is always pulled and placed in the splash well. It is then put back in when unhooking the straps. Never had any issues yet.
Quote:
I think it would be quicker to pull the plug than read this post.
My plug is always pulled and placed in the splash well. It is then put back in when unhooking the straps. Never had any issues yet.
You’ve never had issues because it is your normal routine. It isn’t part of mine, so I can guarantee there will be a couple times where it is forgotten no matter what I do until it becomes routine.
can I transport my pee jug in minn. glad I fish in WI mostly, I dont normaly pull the plug unless caught in a rainstorm and I know I would launch a time or 2 without the plug in also until I got used to it
I guess I see a couple things going on here. First of all, if everyone has to pull their plug, there’s never any question. They don’t have to have you pull the plug because it’s already out, and if it’s in, it’s the same thing as not having drained your boat.
I guess I can see the “better safe(r) than sorry” aspect of this… there’s no pulling plugs to see if you drained your boat, you either pulled the plug or you didn’t. I highly doubt it’s going to stop everything out there, but it will probably slow the problem down.
My issue is the fact that I’m lucky to remember the boat key let alone remember to insert the plugs. And mine screw in, 2 of them… one in the back of each pontoon. And if you happen to forget twice in 12 months, kiss your fishing license goodbye for 2 years. That’s right… if you get 2 infractions in one 12-month period they can revoke your fishing rights for 24 months.
As for the bait cooler question, I guess I see a slightly different scenario than most people are seeing. I see the process being get your bait, go to the lake, fill your on-board bait container with water, transfer your bait from the clean water in your truck to the on-board container. Then when you get back to shore, move your bait from the on-board container to the still-clean water in your truck. That way you only have to carry enough water for your bait and you’re still not “transporting water from infected areas”.
But then I have to ask myself (and y’all), “Is it really that simple?”
There’s a plug law?
Quote:
Quote:
I think it would be quicker to pull the plug than read this post.
My plug is always pulled and placed in the splash well. It is then put back in when unhooking the straps. Never had any issues yet.
You’ve never had issues because it is your normal routine. It isn’t part of mine, so I can guarantee there will be a couple times where it is forgotten no matter what I do until it becomes routine.
Same here. Complete routine change. I never pull my plug becasue my boat doesnt leak and I store it in doors.
Quote:
Same here. Complete routine change. I never pull my plug becasue my boat doesnt leak and I store it in doors.
That’s where I’m at.
I’m sorry, I don’t buy the politicians did this without the DNR having a hand in it. They have enough bills to fool with without going out of their way to inconvenience us with the plug law. I’m really skeptical that the law will change anything and I would really be interested in a constitutional challenge. I have to prove the water came from my well? Give me a break.
I do want invasive species stopped and I do think most of them came to us by way of the Great Lakes and the freighters dumping ballast. That is the first problem that should be solved.
I can live with the plug law. I’m not at all sure I want to live with invasive species. Less rhetoric and more action in stopping these terrible threats to what I hold dear. 
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
