Hi,
We’re going to be going up to Bemidji the weekend of May 5-7. I know that the walleye opener isnt until May 14. We would still like to do some fishing during this time. Is this allowed? We wouldnt be targeting any specific fish, but I’m not sure if there is anything else active during that time. We wouldnt be keeping any walleyes but arent sure if this is against the regulations or not. Anyone have any insight?
You cannot target out of season fish. And if you start patterning them, even by mistake, you should move or change tactics. If you have a reasonable expectation of catching an out of season fish on your next cast then you are targeting them.
Thanks for the responses so far. We will be targeting perch and crappies.
The main goal is to be able to fish during this period. If we have to use a certain bait or presentation so we dont get a ticket, we’ll accept that. I really dont want to get a ticket for fishing out of season.
probably get a ticket.
Not sure anyone has gotten a ticket but yes, it’s best to use “traditional” tactics that nosey people might be familiar with.
For some reason the big mouthes of crappies won’t bite a crank lol lol lol.
Oh wait. Yes they do.
But Mr nosey on the shoreline or in the boat near you… Probably hasn’t figured that out. Of course if your catching out of season fish doing that… Move
Thanks for the responses so far. We will be targeting perch and crappies.
The main goal is to be able to fish during this period. If we have to use a certain bait or presentation so we dont get a ticket, we’ll accept that. I really dont want to get a ticket for fishing out of season.
Think slip bobbers and crappie minnows and you’ll be just fine. #7 rippin raps, 6″ paddle tails, spinner baits, daredevils are not recommended.
Oh, and you don’t need a steel leader for crappies. I have yet to have one bite me off.
By all means use crappie (size) crankbaits if you want. Like these (aside from the popper, of course)
That time of year is great for crappies. And you won’t be alone. If you get some warm days leading up to it, think shallow and north side bays!
Just put the accidental ‘eyes and bass back.
ET
Salmo hornets work great for crappies 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:</div>
Not sure anyone has gotten a ticketI have seen guys get tickets on Chisago for bass fishing prior to opener and guys fishing <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>walleye before opener on Mille Lacs. It happens.
-J.
You know it was a ticket for exactly that? Targeting fish out of season? Or u assume that?
Yep. Number 8 on the top 10 tickets people get. See it every year in the Cuffs and Collars page of ON.
Top 10 Minnesota fishing violations
By Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on May 4, 2015 at 2:19 p.m.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released a list of the top 10 fishing-related violations to avoid this season.
The top two categories for citations and warnings involved license violations. All residents of Minnesota, age 16 to 89, must have a current Minnesota fishing license in possession while angling or transporting fish, unless an exemption applies (see ‘Who doesn’t need a fishing license?’ at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html). All nonresidents need a license, except those ages 15 and younger do not need a license if a parent or guardian is licensed, but the fish count toward the licensee’s limit. License fees help the DNR protect, preserve, and manage Minnesota’s natural resources
“Only a small percentage of Minnesota anglers run afoul of the law,” said Col. Ken Soring, DNR Enforcement Division director.
—
Other common violations include no fishing license, extra lines, and over the possession limit.
Top 2014 Violations
1. Fishing license not in possession (194 citations, 2,443 warnings).
2. No license (742 citations, 397 warnings).
3. Extra lines (634 citations, 144 warnings).
4. Improperly/not marked fish house (300 citations, 47 warnings).
5. Over possession limit (262 citations, 47 warnings).
6. Length or slot limit violation (139 citations, 71 warnings).
7. Unattended/set lines (122 citations, 69 warnings).
8. Closed season (67 citations, 33 warnings).
9. No reflective material on fish house (9 citations, 90 warnings).
10. Fish house left on the ice after removal deadline (58 citations, 22 warnings).
“Only a small percentage of Minnesota anglers run afoul of the law,” said Col. Ken Soring, DNR Enforcement Division director. “A majority of anglers in our state abide by the rules and regulations.”
The 2015 Minnesota Fishing Regulations Handbook is available online at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html or can be obtained from any fishing license vendor, as well as many outdoor retailers.
The DNR’s mission is to work with citizens to conserve and manage the state’s natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial use of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life. A major part of that mission involves the work of conservation officers in gaining voluntary compliance with regulations through education and law enforcement.
Be on the lookout for game and fish violations and report such violations to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 800-652-9093. Cell phone users can dial #TIP. Informants can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
Yep. Number 8 on the top 10 tickets people get. See it every year in the Cuffs and Collars page of ON.
Top 10 Minnesota fishing violations
By Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on May 4, 2015 at 2:19 p.m.The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released a list of the top 10 fishing-related violations to avoid this season.
The top two categories for citations and warnings involved license violations. All residents of Minnesota, age 16 to 89, must have a current Minnesota fishing license in possession while angling or transporting fish, unless an exemption applies (see ‘Who doesn’t need a fishing license?’ at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html). All nonresidents need a license, except those ages 15 and younger do not need a license if a parent or guardian is licensed, but the fish count toward the licensee’s limit. License fees help the DNR protect, preserve, and manage Minnesota’s natural resources
“Only a small percentage of Minnesota anglers run afoul of the law,” said Col. Ken Soring, DNR Enforcement Division director.
—
Other common violations include no fishing license, extra lines, and over the possession limit.
Top 2014 Violations
1. Fishing license not in possession (194 citations, 2,443 warnings).
2. No license (742 citations, 397 warnings).
3. Extra lines (634 citations, 144 warnings).
4. Improperly/not marked fish house (300 citations, 47 warnings).
5. Over possession limit (262 citations, 47 warnings).
6. Length or slot limit violation (139 citations, 71 warnings).
7. Unattended/set lines (122 citations, 69 warnings).
8. Closed season (67 citations, 33 warnings).
9. No reflective material on fish house (9 citations, 90 warnings).
10. Fish house left on the ice after removal deadline (58 citations, 22 warnings).
“Only a small percentage of Minnesota anglers run afoul of the law,” said Col. Ken Soring, DNR Enforcement Division director. “A majority of anglers in our state abide by the rules and regulations.”
The 2015 Minnesota Fishing Regulations Handbook is available online at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html or can be obtained from any fishing license vendor, as well as many outdoor retailers.
The DNR’s mission is to work with citizens to conserve and manage the state’s natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial use of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life. A major part of that mission involves the work of conservation officers in gaining voluntary compliance with regulations through education and law enforcement.
Be on the lookout for game and fish violations and report such violations to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 800-652-9093. Cell phone users can dial #TIP. Informants can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
Closed season tickets are usually for people who have been caught with fish out of season, but not all of them are for that reason.
I bet in my life I have broken everyone of those laws that would pertain to me accept the possession and slot ones. And throw out the ice house ones.
Just being honest.
Surprised at the number of warnings handed out for fishing without a license.
Seems like a pretty black/white rule. I’m not referring to the ones that forgot it at home. I’m referring to the ones that didn’t buy one at all.
“Forgot it at home” doesn’t work anymore. A computerized check takes them 2 minutes. Last time I was checked I emptied probably 6 license 
out of my wallet. I had them from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Canada for several years but I couldn’t find a currant Minnesota. 
He called it in, verified I had in fact bought one and told me where I could pick up a duplicate. He wished me a good day and drove off. 
Yeah, I mean I get that. I just don’t get handing out warnings to the ones that they just didn’t buy it. There’s really not an excuse for that.
I had 2 buddies when they were 15 at their cabin go grab the old poles out of the shed and toss in a line, within 1 minute a CO gave them both no license tickets!! they didn’t even know they needed a license at the time!! That’s the kind that should get the warning
Their parents have a cabin on a lake and at the age of 15 they don’t know they need a license to fish? Nah, not buying it and obviously neither did the CO. Good for him.
I had 2 buddies when they were 15 at their cabin go grab the old poles out of the shed and toss in a line, within 1 minute a CO gave them both no license tickets!! they didn’t even know they needed a license at the time!! That’s the kind that should get the warning
Seems the CO didn’t know the law.
“All residents age 15 and younger are allowed to take their own limit of fish without purchasing a license.”
I bet in my life I have broken everyone of those laws that would pertain to me accept the possession and slot ones. And throw out the ice house ones.
Just being honest.
Yep I think a lot of us have done some stupid things. Like when three of us were 19, went up north to the Minnesota Fishing opener. Got in late Friday night, split a 30 pak of Stroh’s. Got up in the morning with the half intention of buying licenses eventually but of course didn’t. Two hours into fishing the CO tagged us.
Did we deserve it because we didn’t have licenses, or because we drank Stroh’s?
Young and stupid still doesn’t earn you a warning sometimes, and it shouldn’t…
I certainly hope you learned your lesson! That would have never happened if you were drinking Grain Belt Premium.
i don’t really get how they can prove your intent in targeting a certain fish unless it is really, really specific. It sounds like something that would be thrown out of court a lot. Casual fishermen fish for everything basically the same way. Not keeping them, sure. That is very clear cut.
Touché, however had we been drinking GBP we might have received a ticket for causing global warming the next day 
i don’t really get how they can prove your intent in targeting a certain fish unless it is really, really specific. It sounds like something that would be thrown out of court a lot. Casual fishermen fish for everything basically the same way. Not keeping them, sure. That is very clear cut.
EXACTLY!!
Yep I think a lot of us have done some stupid things.
Not everytime. Many were done intentionally. 2 lines all by myself on shore of a quiet section of river. Sucker under a bobber off the dock and I had to go pee or grab a beer.
The one time I can remember targeting bass I was a teen and that was dumb. Day before opener and they were catching crappies, but I found a school of bass.
There is a joke in our family. The CO knew our grandma by name. She’d toss out a sucker and tie the line to the clothes line and go about her daily chores. The CO would eventually come to the dock, say hello by her first name and write her a ticket.
There was a cabin on Browns Lake, where I grew up, that every weekend would have a 4″ bobber rig thrown out in front of his cabin… he was nowhere to be seen, but that bobber was easy to spot. Don’t know if he ever got tagged, but he was blatantly having an unattended line all day and probably night ! 
i don’t really get how they can prove your intent in targeting a certain fish unless it is really, really specific. It sounds like something that would be thrown out of court a lot. Casual fishermen fish for everything basically the same way. Not keeping them, sure. That is very clear cut.
I think it boils down to character. If you’re consistently catching out of season fish then you should stop doing it.
Most of these southern Minnesota lakes, best blue Gill rig is a lindy spinner rig!
Here is the ethic I believe in on the matter: As long as one is legitimately and reasonably trying to catch a fish that is in season there is not a problem, so long as the person is not keeping fish that are closed.
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