Meeting summary of the Minnesota Bass Tournament Directors on 11/14/04 at the Gander Mountain – Maple Grove, MN.
Present:
Joel Stokka – Excel Bass [email protected]
Vern Wagner – MN. B.A.S.S. Federation [email protected]
Dale Richardson – MN. B.A.S.S. Federation [email protected]
Jim Batton – MN. B.A.S.S. Federation [email protected]
Mark Schultz – Fishers of Men [email protected]
Denny Nelson – Dennys Super 30 [email protected]
Dave Cindrich – Team Supreme [email protected]
I want to thank everyone that participated in this meeting. I wanted to extend an extra thanks to Vern Wagner from the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation for his role in identifying the DNR new regulation changes and ideas on how to reduce fish mortality during weigh-ins.
Items of discussion:
Shamano water weigh-in system – The systems was discussed and Vern indicated some of the draw backs. Vern indicated getting a B.A.S.S. approved weigh-in training certification class to help tournament organizers reduce fish mortality at their weigh-ins. It was agreed that Vern should pursue this training program.
Vern indicated that the DNR will be looking at clarifying rules and regulations for tournaments in Minnesota. Most of these rule clarifications affect Walleye events but some will affect all tournaments. Most impacting are:
– Public access: current rule is written that Tournaments should not usurp the public. What does this mean 25% of the parking, 50% they would like to set a figure that defines “usurp”.
-Exotics & boat inspections: the rule says it should be done, but doesn’t specify who is responsible. They would like the Tourney Organizer to be responsible.
– Develop criteria for allowing or denying Summer time live/release tourneys (this is mainly Walleye stuff)
-Current language in rules say no Off-Site weigh-ins, they would like to better define this and set criteria for denying or allowing
– Re-distribution of fish after weigh-ins, this would allow them to deny permits that result in mixing stocks. Pokegama is a good example.
-Define when permits can be denied for live-bait tourney. It says they can be but only when it would result in increased mortality. They would like to define what increase mortality is? 20%-30% 50%
-allow the denial of permits where fish would have to be fizzed. They think this is more of a walleye issue, but they oppose sticking fish, organ damage, spreading diseases.
The was a general discussion on how we can work with public interest groups i.e. Lake Associations, DNR, Sportsman’s clubs.
The group talked about organizing into a coalition to bring this issues forward in a united voice. All participates agreed that this would be beneficial. It was suggested that Joel Stokka, Excel Bass be the point person for communications.
A discussion on asking the DNR to enforce existing tournament rules and regulations for new start-up tournament organizations.
There was concern over the lack of uniform permitting restrictions and unenforceable restrictions put on the organizer. Pre-fishing restrictions, release boats, restocking of fish and speed limits are a few that where applied to organizers in 2004.
We agreed that other tournaments circuits should be included in the coalition. Walleye and Muskie organizations will be contacted to attend the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned.These are the minutes from the first Directors meeting.
We started by meeting with bass tournys that showed intrest and deceided to invite any one holding fishing events in MN. walleye,muskys, league,clubs ect.
This is to have input at round table disscuisions and work with public better and work on a Fourm that will post all permit events,clubs,leagues,corp. events ect.,this will help non-permit events to schedule events.
So if your a director and would like to attend.
Maple Grove Gander MNT.
Jan.16 1:00pm till 3:0pm