Theoretical Border Water Q.

So, say John Smith was given a ticket for fishing with three poles on the main channel on the MN side. A year later he is then ticketed for keeping a walleye 1/100th shy of 15″. Since he has two tickets he gets his fishing license revoked. What stops him from then getting a WI fishing license and fishing with three poles on the main channel from the MN side? Does he lose both his WI and MN license? Or on the main channel is it legal to exercise the more liberal fishing laws? I wish I could do something to make border water laws more clear. Out of the dozens of people I have discussed them with in my area it seems nobody has a clear answer. Rather they view it as a “gray” unknown area where it is up to each individual DNR officer to decide.

No grey area. If you legally can’t buy a license in MN, you’re in the WI computer as well. Along with a number of other states.

PS the trick is…know the laws and don’t break them…you won’t have to worry about the what ifs.

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What stops him from then getting a WI fishing license and fishing with three poles on the main channel from the MN side?

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You should book mark this page below. It comes in handy.

Unless you’re talking about MN/IA…then I haven’t a clue..’cause I haven’t looked it up.

MN/WI Border Water Rules Clarifed by the CO’s that patrol the water<<

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You should book mark this page below. It comes in handy.

Unless you’re talking about MN/IA…then I haven’t a clue..’cause I haven’t looked it up.

MN/WI Border Water Rules Clarifed by the CO’s that patrol the water<<

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+1

I beleive you have to have a valid license for the state you live in regardless if border waters. I have been wrong before.
Think the advice ealier was the proper reply.

It’s called the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. I think 39 State and The Canadian Provinces All share violation information. Banned in one Banned in all member States. Including All of them around MN.

Mwal

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It’s called the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

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Thank you.

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I beleive you have to have a valid license for the state you live in regardless if border waters.

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That is correct. And I’m still amazed at how many MN residents stop in asking for a WI license to fish the Mississippi River with. It’s one thing if the fish WI in land waters too, but certainly not needed to fish the border water.

I just found an interesting law pertaining to MN/WI waters. I have to have it verified by a CO before I post it.

It too easy to get too messy if my understanding is bassackwards.

That’s why I am moving to Florida. No compact with MN and I violated a fish once.

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PS the trick is…know the laws and don’t break them…you won’t have to worry about the what ifs.

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That’s why I am moving to Florida. No compact with MN and I violated a fish once.

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How’d that feel?

In all seriousness thanks for the answers and I completely agree about the don’t violate any laws deal. There are so many differences out there and everyone I talk to has a different understanding of what the law is. It makes you wonder. I even ran into a DNR officer who told me I could use any type of crayfish I wanted to for bait. Last I checked the law states only Rusty crayfish can be used?

If DNR officers do not know the law how are we supposed to? Also told by a gal they used to sell Flathead meat to Laderberg’s in Winona. She said it was legal since Flathead are not gamefish… Last I checked that’s poaching. I tried to argue but eh, choose your battles right? If I were to argue laws with everyone I’d simply be known as “that a-hole”.

Florida sounds great, bigger fish, and warmer weather!

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Also told by a gal they used to sell Flathead meat to Laderberg’s in Winona. She said it was legal since Flathead are not gamefish… Last I checked that’s poaching.

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Well guy she is right…and you still can buy catfish commercially….
When I was running a setline(years ago) the flats always paid better than channels…..
WI Setline regs

Winona is in MN. Just sayin’.

MN Regs.
Subd. 43.Rough fish.

“Rough fish” means carp, buffalo, sucker, sheepshead, bowfin, burbot, cisco, gar, goldeye, and bullhead.

97C.391 BUYING AND SELLING FISH.
Subdivision 1.General restrictions.

A person may not buy or sell fish taken from the waters of this state, except:

(1) minnows;

(2) rough fish excluding ciscoes;

(3) smelt taken from Lake Superior and rivers and streams that flow into Lake Superior;

(4) fish taken under licensed commercial fishing operations;

(5) fish that are private aquatic life; and

(6) fish lawfully taken and subject to sale from other states and countries.
Subd. 2.Restrictions on certain game fish.

Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, muskellunge, and sunfish may be bought or sold by a private hatchery or aquatic farm, or as prescribed by the commissioner.
Subd. 3.Rules.

The commissioner may by rule establish reasonable conditions on the buying and selling of fish that would prevent or slow the spread of certifiable diseases and invasive species.
History:

1986 c 386 art 3 s 40; 1987 c 318 s 8; 1992 c 566 s 21; 1993 c 231 s 59; 2008 c 307 s 15

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MN Regs.
(4) fish taken under licensed commercial fishing operations;
(6) fish lawfully taken and subject to sale from other states and countries.

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A bit confusing (for me as usual)…
So if a flat is legally caught by commercial fishermen in WI can he sell these in MN???

I found this on the MN DNR website…..
Minnesota Wisconsin Boundary Waters
On Minnesota Wisconsin boundary waters, a commercial operator may operate only in the territorial waters of the state of licensure. Commercial gear authorized under a commercial fishing license includes set lines (trot lines), seines, and gill nets. Species of fish allowed to be commercial harvested are rough fish and a limited number of catfish.

Bringing fish into MN from another state requires a permit.

To commercially fish on the MN/WI border waters a person (to commercially fish the whole river) would need a commercial license from both states.

WI No limit for either species of cats.

MN in the winter months limits flathead catch to 100 pounds

But to the original question… you or I can’t sell our catch in MN unless…we have a permit or a MN commercial license.

Train track to train track only applies to fishing licensing.

Sportfishing limits

Laws and Commercial (selling) are governed by the state you’re in at the time.

Just like a drivers license.

I hope I typed that all correctly.

Ahhh I see now…
We never fished MN waters when I was doing it and we sold our catch to a local (Epstiens?)fish market and maybe they sold to MN stores….I think…. ….
My original point was that they probably did sell flathead at Laderberg’s and it was probably not poached…..

Sorry Mud, I didn’t realize we were talking about commercial fisher people. Agreed.

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Also told by a gal they used to sell Flathead meat to Laderberg’s in Winona. She said it was legal since Flathead are not gamefish… Last I checked that’s poaching.

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Well guy she is right…and you still can buy catfish commercially….
When I was running a setline(years ago) the flats always paid better than channels…..
WI Setline regs

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uh… “a bank pole is defined as a pole equipped with one line and a maximum of two hooks.”

I have all kinds of fishing poles with reels on them. Legally you can use 5 poles from shore then? I ask way too many questions…

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uh… “a bank pole is defined as a pole equipped with one line and a maximum of two hooks.”

I have all kinds of fishing poles with reels on them. Legally you can use 5 poles from shore then? I ask way too many questions…

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All depends where you’re at….
WI/IA boundary waters…with a commercial fishing license…yes.

WI/MN boundary waters….with a commercial fishing licence…is setlines only…no bank poles allowed.