# of lines question

While fishing boundary waters between MN/WI today I had two tip-ups out and a jig pole. I was on the WI side of the river and a fellow approached me and said I had too many lines out. He was nice about it and said he didn’t want to see anyone get fined. I’m quite sure that it is legal to fish 3 lines on the WI side of the river, but I pulled one just to be safe until I could check the regs again. I got home and looked through the regs but couldn’t find anything on lines on MN/WI boundary waters. If anyone can help me with this I would appreciate it.

I believe that if you hold a WI license you can have 3 lines. If you have a MN license you can have 2 lines. I don’t think it matters which side of the body of water you are on if it is considered a MN/WI boundary water. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong but this was my understanding! Hope this helps!

Paul

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I believe that if you hold a WI license you can have 3 lines. If you have a MN license you can have 2 lines. I don’t think it matters which side of the body of water you are on if it is considered a MN/WI boundary water. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong but this was my understanding! Hope this helps!

Paul

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X2 – That’s my interpretation of it also

Isn’t it different for certain boarder waters? Example St. Croix, Mississippi, St. Louis?

A very gray area indeed.Both licences are good,but….?They go by the center of the navigation channel.MNDNR can?enforce their regs on their side.That was what I was told.When I operated the fish float in Trempealeau,that was on the MN side.2 lines,no pannies for bait,have to dress a bare treble to become a “lure”.Someone with a WI licence got a ticket for using a bluegill for catfish.Sounds like a big whizzing match between each state’s COs.Even the federal wardens(USFWS)would enforce whatever side you were on.

From the WI DNR.Sound like the center of the nav. channel dictates the rules.It’s there,but many miss it.

Wisconsin residents need a Wisconsin fishing license and Minnesota residents need a Minnesota license to fish in these boundary waters. Residents of other

states need a nonresident license from Wisconsin or Minnesota. Regulations on these waters may differ between states. You must obey the regulations

of the state in which you are fishing.

I was fishing mn side of the river a couple years ago and had 3 tip ups out. Warden showed up and gave me an ear full about having one too many lines out. He said even with a Wisconsin license I was on the mn side of the river and had to follow mn rules.

If you are fishing on MN side no matter what license you hold you can only use 2 lines. This was confirmed to me by a MN DNR warden when fishing in MN waters north of New Albin. No, I was not fined as I only had 2 lines out, but asked him what the rules were. I’m not sure what the rules are for fishing WI side while holding a Mn license.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing2011.pdf#view=fit&pagemode=bookmarks

Go to page 57.

MN/WI boundary waters: “Regs may differ between states. You must obey the regs of the state in which you are fishing.” from WI fishing regs pamphlet (pg.60).

I have a MN and a WI license. I suppose this means I can have 3 lines out on the WI side and 2 out on the MN side of the river? I know that is not an option, but I would love to hear what a Game Wardens response would be!

Just talked with a DNR rep. This was our conversation. I’m glad this topic was brought up because I misinterpreted this rule.

Leona:
Hello, how may I help you?
Paul :
I had a fishing regulation question about the St. Croix river (between Hudson and Stillwater)
Paul :
If I am a WI resident with a WI license how many lines can I use at a time?
Paul :
And does it matter where I am on the river itself (east or west side)
Leona:
If you are fishing on the WI side, you may not use more than 3 hooks, baits or lures.
Leona:
If you are fishing on the side of a different state, you would need to follow their regulations.
Paul :
So just to be clear…Is there a “line” down the middle of the river that divides MN and WI?
Leona:
I am not sure where the dividing line is. You may be able to google a map that shows that information.
Paul :
What if a MN resident is fishing on the WI side of the river? Would they follow the WI regs (3 hooks) or the MN regs (2 hooks)?
Leona:
The regulations state that you must obey the regulations of the state in which you are fishing. Therefore, if a MN resident is fishing on the WI side, it would be the WI regulations (3 hooks)
Paul :
Ok Thanks
Leona:
You’re welcome. Have a good evening
Chat Session Ended, Goodbye. (5010)

PaulK-You should of asked her if you sat basically on the dividing line if you could have 3 lines on the WI side and 2 on the MN side, since WI as long as you are in immediate proximity to your lines you are ok to be away from them.. Would love to hear the DNR’s take… As a previous post mentioned…

This subject has popped up a few time in the past years,here is a link to a post I made back in 07….
Boundry water Regs

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Both licences are good,but….?They go by the center of the navigation channel

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They actually use the state line..which is the center of channel in MOST area’s.

Down here in La Crosse the state line comes through the lock @ Dresbach,down the center of the channel for about1/8th of a mile,then goes east though the center of the East channel for about 1/2 a mile or so…,then it goes straight across the main channel to the center of the West channel…,it continues down the center of that channel until it meets up with the navigation channel on the south end of downtown.
(I hope this is not TOO confusing )

Just Google up La Crosse….They show the state line very well.

Wi resident on wi side 3 lines, when on mn side you have to go by there regs,#of lines-2,limits etc

How can you tell if in the middle of the channel what side you are on? I’m not good enough to do it by feel?

Jeff I usually go by the line that is on the GPS.

I was ice fishing on the WI side one time with 2 lines and a CO came up and told me to get another d&$*^ line in the water if I wanted to fish the WI side. I moved to the Minnesota side.