Proposed changes to Lower St Croix fishing regulations (continuous season)

If you fish the lower St Croix River this is something that should be of interest to you. The MNDNR is currently looking to change the season and bag limits in an attempt to maximize fishing opportunities and maintain sustainable fish populations.

In a nutshell it would open the river up to a continuous fishing season similar to what we see on the Mississippi and also simplify regulations and bag limits. Personally I think this would be a great change!

The MNDNR has invited to public to provide their input via an online survey and also public meetings. A public in-person meeting about the proposed regulations is scheduled for 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Stillwater Public Library, Margaret Rivers B Room. People can also comment by calling Stiras at 651-259-5806, emailing at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Here’s a link to the survey: https://engage.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries-public-input-wildlife-public-input/survey_tools/mn-wi-border-waters-regulation-proposals-2023

Cool.
I’m on board.
Buuuut, can I go out on a limb and guess it will be accompanied with lower limits similar to the non necessary limit applied to other border water .

Im not going to take the time to research so for now Im against it, just because.
I dont fish it anymore but I sure looked forward to many an opener out there and it would take that away.

Continuous season on the lower croix really adds a few weeks to the season. Maybe more depending on how much you like to ice fish late river ice.
It isn’t like pools 3&4 that offer year round open water.

Regardless, nothing will change if they don’t get any feedback. Tell them how you feel.

3Rivers wrote:

Regardless, nothing will change if they don’t get any feedback. Tell them how you feel.

You need to be signed in to take the survey? No thanks.

I would support opening it up solely to spread some of the early season traffic out from pools that are already open year round creating another viable option (not sure it’d work but wishful thinking)

buckybadger wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>3Rivers wrote:</div>
Regardless, nothing will change if they don’t get any feedback. Tell them how you feel.

You need to be signed in to take the survey? No thanks.

I would support opening it up solely to spread some of the early season traffic out from pools that are already open year round creating another viable option (not sure it’d work but wishful thinking)

If it doesn’t open, you’ve waived all rights to be upset or bothered by it.

Lol, I logged on today to post this survey. Thanks for posting it!!

Everyone, please take the time to go to the in-person meeting, and don’t be deterred by the extra 20 seconds it takes to create an account and sign in. The public feedback for any proposed regulation changes in this state is thoughtfully taken into consideration.

I think it’s a bit humorous.

People are afraid to create an account with the DNR when they already have your drivers license number, date of birth and social security number.

Edit: and your weight

Just put on your foil hats. It’s ok.

I filled it out. I’d love a open continuous season

Perhaps you are one of the old timers that want to continue to see a traditional season with larger bag limits and if so I apologize and no offense towards you…

but if anyone wants to see any progress and/or changes to the confusing regs and bag limits on the border waters then they need to speak up and also attend in person if possible otherwise those with time on their hands that fear change will have the floor and dominate the discussion.

Not saying that is good or bad, but a healthy debate with opinions from both sides would be appreciated I’m sure.

Can the fishery sustain year long fishing.
Science…”yes”
OK change regs… no public opinion needed.
Science “no”
OK don’t change regs… no public opinion needed.

Public opinion is what I oppose with the DNR. They know it is sustainable or they wouldn’t ask. Then… why F’n ask. No logical argument will axe the facts.

I won’t take the survey because I don’t support it. Frankly I don’t give a F what happens in these very well to do fisheries anyway. Decisions should be fact based. Asking for input is a political move and why the F is there politics in DNR.

Imma go crawl under a rock now. See y’all on the water.

The DNR is always in the same position, screwed if you do and screwed if you don’t. The DNR NEVER listens to us!! And in this case, the DNR shouldn’t listen to us!

As much as I agree with FBRM….

The science does support this. The DNR could move forward with this without any input from the public…however,

they are taking the time to see what Joe Rapala thinks before moving forward.

I will always support the DNR being open, honest and asking for everyone’s opinion. Including yours Andy.