Tip Downs

My question is how many tip downs are allowed on the Mississippi river backwaters? Are they concidered a tip-up? Thanks in advance!

The DNR told me via email that they are considered tip-ups as long as there is an orange or red visible marking to indicate a bite and the rod is attached to the base. Otherwise it is just a rod on a rod-holder.

Just wrap some orange tape around the rod handle or spray it with some orange spray paint and you are good to go.

*I am not to be held accountable if you run into an of a warden and he writes you a ticket*

Call the CO for the area you plan to fish and ask him, they have all ran into the issue before and will tell you how they handle it.

You also need to specify that’s IOWA only backwaters. Not Minnesota, Wisconsin or Illinois.

This would be Iowa/Wisconsin back waters. It was explain to me long ago, water between the tracks – Wisconsin and Iowa or Wisconsin and Minnesota (border waters)the laws were the same except for possession limits.

You are wrong you must obey the states laws while fishing said states waters. It is clearly stated in the Wisconsin regulations. While Iowa may allow 5 lines Wisconsin does not. I personally spoke with a Wisconsin warden at cabelas this spring and asked that question. Was told he’d be happy to issue citations for to many lines. All the states agreements allow is you to fish there water without needing said states license. You still need to follow the states laws. Ask Brandon Palanik about that on Wisconsin Minnesota waters! Cost him $100,000. Wisconsin allows culling and Minnesota does not. He culled on Minnesota waters and was DQ’d from a tournament!!!