Barbless Hooks

I’m thinking of trying Minnesota’s winter C&R trout season this year. On all of the streams that are open for this the DNR specifies “barbless hooks”. However they don’t define exactly what “barbless” means. Does this mean a hook that’s made without a barb, or can I legally use a barbed hook with the barb pinched down?

Thanks

Rootski

I all depends on the DNR guy around here ,some will let you pass if you squeezed the barb and some wont, so to be save our trout guys use factory “barbless” hooks”.

if you pinch the barb down you are good~!

Southeastern stream trout season offers break from ice fishing … … At this time, only barbless hooks are allowed (crimped hooks are permitted)
and fish handling should be kept to a minimum. Trout …
news.dnr.state.mn.us/…/2011/01/06/southeastern-stream-trout-season-offers-break-from-ice-fishing/ – 22k – Cached

I just got this reply from the MN DNR:

“A barbless hook or if you pinch down the barbed hook that is considered barbless as well. Either way works. Good Luck.”