MN Cast Net Permit Applications

From Paula Phelps MN DNR

As you are probably already aware, the agriculture, environment, and natural resource budget bill that passed this month included language that will temporarily allow the use of cast nets in specific areas. I wanted to make sure that you all received the permit application in case you are interested in applying for a permit. This application will also be posted on our website.

Applications can be mailed, faxed, or emailed to me (see contact information in my signature below).

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Paula

paula phelps | aquaculture and fish health consultant

Minnesota department of natural resources

500 Lafayette road, box 20

st. paul, mn 55155

651-259-5213 (w) | 651-297-4916 (f) | [email protected]

Attachments:

1. permit-application.pdf

Below is a copy of our cast net permit in Florida

Oh goody Oh GOody!!!
That’ll be sent in by monday!!!

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/commercial/mdeinvasivetraining.html

■You are tested throughout the training and must answer the questions correctly to pass the course (but you may attempt the question an unlimited number of times).

If i’m reading this correctly…You cannot fail.
That is hilarious.
Should have went with the sticker.

That is correct Mr FishBlood,

Speaking in in general, a ton of work went into getting this passed (as imperfect that it is). We as shad for bait users would like to see this a permanent rule. This one has a sunset clause in it.

If we don’t follow the fairly simple rules or have enough participation, they might feel it’s not worth it or won’t want to take the risk with the whole invasive piece and shut it down.

The way it sits right now, the easiest thing the DNR has to do is nothing. It’s going to go away. I hope we as a whole do not give them any excuse to not rewrite the rule as permanent.

On a side note, us folks on the border waters need to remember this is only good on the MN side of the river.

(Most WI CO’s are not aware of this as of 4 weeks ago)

It’s a great step for sure.

It does not take effect until next spring though right?

July 1, 2015 – November 30, 2015

Its on the application.

Who’s going to be cast netting in November??? Remember, you can’t freeze them.

I hope you guys get a lot of applicants. If you don’t they might not think its worth continuing.

I saw the dates when I opened the application.

I will submit an app. Pug I will be! I will fish sturg until ice up!

Ah yeah, I suppose. Times change.

my app is on its way

So I got a call and was informed I need to bring the net I am going to use with me when I get my permit. I informed her that I do not yet have a net and am going to buy on online because stores in this area do not sell them. I then looked at the permit which specifically says a 7′ DIAMETER net, yet all I found online were 4 foot RADIUS and bigger nets. In fact everywhere I saw nets sold or spoke of they are always referred to by radius so if you orders a 7′ net it will be a 14′ net actually. Just a FYI

edit: found smaller nets on amazon

4 Seasons Sports in Red Wing should have them in stock by now.

I’m not sure what brand or the cost.

Yes the permit does require a tag to be placed permanently on the net by the DNR.

yep i just got a call from paula as well. she was very helpful and quick. within hrs she had my premit ready to go

I’d sell you mine but its 8′.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

4 Seasons Sports in Red Wing should have them in stock by now.

I’m not sure what brand or the cost.

Yes the permit does require a tag to be placed permanently on the net by the DNR.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

4 Seasons Sports in Red Wing should have them in stock by now.

I’m not sure what brand or the cost.

Yes the permit does require a tag to be placed permanently on the net by the DNR.

holy cow, sometimes a net only lasts a few throws! Don’t catch a rock then, I guess. Are you guys having a time catching bait? The young of the year shad are not that large yet. Maybe I’m catching the 2nd spawn or something but they’re like 2″ or a little more and they make crappy bait. Fish eat them but they are mush.

Best to find deeper water or know you have a clean bottom when throwing a net.

Shad are a ‘Dirty’ fish. THey are full of the same stuff they eat, and decompose very quickly!
KEEP COLD!
I immediately put in a cooler on ice once.

Yep, shad turn to mush pretty quickly. Best to start out with ice in the bucket. It’ll kill them quickly and cool them down fast. Once you have enough, rinse them and place in plastic bag, then in a cooler full of ice. Keep them there until you are done fishing.

I usually put 3-4 of those little ones on at a time. Hook through the eyes, cut off the tail and they work good this time of year. Those little ones are what the fish are eating right now. “Match the hatch” to coin a phrase.

Yes, rocks and brush EAT cast nets for breakfast. I usually get 2 every year. That’s why I buy the cheap ones at Walmart…I know I’m going to get hung up sometime. You can mend them if not totaled. Those are the ones I throw on the rip rap.

Good luck…it’s a learning curve for sure.

L8R…Ken

I used to hook a shad through the eyes, but James H. pointed out there’s a hard spot in their cheeks. Find that and they hold on good too.

Remember we can not transport shad off the river here in MN.
Please ensure the MN rules are followed. We would like to see this temporary rule changed to a permanent one at the end of the trial…and a change to allow for freezing of the bait.

I hook them like fatheads typically, under the jaw and through the top of the head. The forehead is the hardest part.

Bigger ones i’ll go through the cheeks because they are stronger when they get to that 4-6″ range. Bigger than that i usually just throw the hook through the back.

No matter where you put the hook, lots of jerking or jigging and it’ll work itself off. They do get soft!

skunkboy wrote:

Yes, rocks and brush EAT cast nets for breakfast.

Bigger (Unintended) species can do a number on them too!

Wow, I did not expect to get so many insightful responses. I was figuring where cast nets were illegal, people would have a learning curve.

I wasn’t too surprised Josh, I know some that have friends/relatics out of state and are swinging nets down there. One fella that was told by a CO they were legal to use and he did use them for over a year and some of the responses are from out of state.

I’m the guy with the learning curve and trying to shorten it by using the experience of others. I touched a CN for the first time about a week ago. Was hoping to practice tossing it tonight but was side tracked.

Now I’m looking for that dang application I filled out in June to send it in.

iowa_josh wrote:

Wow, I did not expect to get so many insightful responses. I was figuring where cast nets were illegal, people would have a learning curve.

Cast nets have been illegial, but obtaining Shad and using shad as bait has not been illegial.

MN River is NOT INFESTED.
Bait can be harvested via legal methods (Seine) from non-infested waters and can be transported as long as no lake water is used.
Legal to Freeze em.
Bring them to the Croix/SIppi.

Perfectly legal even today!!!!!!

So, when Mr Dnr asks you where you go that frozen bag of shad…From the MN RIver via seine or dip net.

ONly change is now we can harvest them from INFESTED waters (Croix Sippi) and we can do so using a cast net. But, you cannot transport them off the water. However, you could transport those frozen MN River shad on/off the water…Not that you could prove where any of it came from…But that’s the rules.