Willow cats now illegal????

Here is a heads up for those who use willow cats. Our new game warden here in Winona has decided that this is his major issue and now thanks to a loop-hole in the law this year will make it illegal to sell or scoop willow cats in Minnesota. The 2 bait shops in Winona both have running petitions and Rep. Gene Pellowski has been contacted and is on our side in this matter. You can also call the Minnesota DNR. Anyone with questions can contact either Brad at West End Bait or Stacy at The Bait Shack in Winona. We need as much help on this matter that we can get so everyone that we can get to join the fight is welcomed and needed.

I assume they are illegal to fish with too?

I must say that some of the reasoning behind this issue is ridiculous. I have heard things like “too many big fish are being caught using willow cats”. That one does not even make sense. Of course this is all second hand so I don’t what has been said and what has not. I would love for Tom himself to explain his rationale.

Can you trap them in the River and use them for bait int the same body of water?

tigertrout
yes you can fish them in the same body of water that you caught them in, you just cant leave with the water, If you leave the body of water that you caught the willow cats in.
I will let Tom know about this site so he can maybe get on line and we can all get the facts, I will get back to you on that one as soon as I can.

Next question: My understanding is that you can still purchase willowcats in Wisconsin. Is it legal for me to have them in my boat and fish with them in the Mississippi River? I have 3 dozen Willowcats which I purchased before this whole thing went down. Are they usless to me now as bait?

This post topic is similar to an issue we had on the catfish forum. I did some research on the taking of minnows in the St Croix and Mississippi last winter because I wanted to harvest some shad minnows for catfishing bait. This is the response I got from the Minnesota DNR. If you are a Minnesota sportsman the rules you must follow for harvesting bait from the St Croix or Mississippi River are listed on pages 68 to 73 of the 2004 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. I was specifically advised of the following: “The Mississippi River downstream of St Anthony Falls and the St Croix River downstream of the St Croix Boomsite Recreation Area – also river mile 25.4 are designated as Zebra Mussels infested waters. In accordance with the Exotic Species Law (prohibitions and restrictions) it is unlawful to harvest minnows, frogs, or any other wild animals from zebra mussel infested waters for bait. If the water were designated as infested waters solely because they contain Eurasian watermilfoil, minnows could be harvested for personal use from infested waters and only be used in that water body. But because the St Croix and Mississippi are designated as zebra mussel infested waters we are restricted from harvesting and using bait from those waters. That is straight from the DNR. Now I will really confuse you. If you are from Wisconsin and legally fishing with a WI fishing license you may take bait and use it from those waters. As a matter of fact, you can use a Cast Net which is also illegal in MN. So, if two guys are fishing in the same boat, one from MN and one from WI. The WI guy can use bait taken from the river but the MN guy cannot. Maybe you need two bait buckets, one labeled “MN guys bait” and one labeled “WI guys bait”. You better not be using the wrong bait. I am assuming the willow cat question arises because the willow cats have been harvested from the infested waters. If they haven’t been harvested from there – they should be legal bait. I was assured by the DNR that bullheads under 7 inches are legal bait. A willow cat must be a dinky bullhead, so it should be legal. The real legal issue will be – “Where did the Willow Cats come from?”.

You guys have no idea how darn happy I am I’m on a good nightcrawler bite.

James–I was out this evening and could only get bit on willow cats. I am omn pool 8. I tried crawlers and leeches also, not one bite on either. Caught some nice eyes tho, but cats were the answer. John

If you do a search for madtom tadpole catfish(the real name for willowcats) you find they are a very common and have a range that is very widespread. There is not chance of denting the population. This is a very good example of a game warden trying to make a name for himself. He is more concerned about this than the large number of people casting cranks on Lake Winona before the opener. I guess the illegally taking of game fish before season is not as important as hurting the local businesses that have been selling these for years. Now the money Brad and Stacy depended upon will be shifting to Wisconsin. What a fricking joke!!!!!! What is the basis for his crusade? That I would like to know. What good has come of this? Lost monies for the Winona bait shops, a large number of anglers totally put off by some hot shot warden. I cannot even begin to imagine the negitive impression this will have on the fishermen/fisherwomen in the area. Up until now I had the ultimate respect for the job the wardens did, I had no problem with opening my ice house to their inspection when I did not have to. I went out of my way to be as nice as possible because of the respect I once had for these people, that respect is now gone. With this individual I will know my rights and I will demand they be respected.

I am not sure rd23 really understands the correct reason for the Willow Cat restriction. Maybe I am missing something but if I understand this issue correctly, the willow cats are being harvested from zebra mussel infested waters. The Exotic Species Law specifically states: It is unlawful to harvest minnows, frogs, or any other wild animals from infested waters for bait. rd23 complaint seems to be against a Conservation Officer that is correctly doing his job of enforcing the Minnesota fishing regulations. The Conservation Officer is sworn to enforce all regulations, not just those that sportsman may want him to enforce. I believe we as sportsman have an ethical obligation to know, understand and follow the regulations. If those willow cats are not legal bait – then don’t use them under penalty of prosecution if caught using them. Being a Conservation Officer is a tough job and the best way to do it is to enforce all the rules and regulations equitably with all sportsman. I salute the local Conservation Officer and fully support his efforts to enforce the Minnesota fishing regulations.

Maybe some have a more first-hand interaction with this CO that might lend to some hard feelings but all that personal stuff aside, I guess I can see what the problem here is. If cats are being dipped from the river and sold to anyone that will come in the door, that’s a problem. Stop the spread of exotic species.. yup, yup. I get it. I do know that many cats get dipped from waters likely NOT infected with exotic species and I sincerely hope a way is found that will allow shops that get their cats from these waters to sell them.

Even if only a portion of the cats are coming from infected waters or if the shops are unable to prove where they’re getting them I guess my feeling is that this CO is doing his / her job as is clearly outlined in the state regs.

My hope is that the shops in Winona are able to come to a working arrangement that will allow them to sell the cats they dip in N. MN so I can fish with them again soon.

The willowcats that were being sold in the bait shops in Winona are ALL being netted in central Minnesota where there is not a exotic species issue. I know this for a fact as I have first hand knowledge of where they are netted. There is no logical reasons for this. This was nothing more than a ploy to make a name for one person. There is nothing that can be done this year but the law will be changed this winter when the state legislation meets again. That really does the local baitshops a lot of good this summer.

Loosing a whole season of revenue would be frustrating indeed and I’m sure we all can sense the frustration in your posts. I hope the Winona shops will be able to hang on through this season and get everything straightened out over the winter.

Rd23,
In reply to netting Willow Cats in central MN. The willow cat is part of the cat fish family and there for also illegal to use as bait. Now if they were caught on the river they can be used (only if you caught them and not sold as bait from the bait store), so to simplify this. If used on inland lakes willow cats are part of the game fish family and on the border waters of Wi and Mn they are winnows and can be used if you capture and use them.
I hope this simlifies thing a little more.
Aaron

D&J RiverSports in Onalaska has a wide selection of Willowcats…Feel free to contact them or visit them for bait.

How do you hook willow cats I assume the same as any minnow.And do you jig with them or what? And do you need to avoid stingers/and what is the best way to handle them while baiting up with them?

What is the current regulations for using Stone cats? I have heard the big question is Stone cat vs Willow cat which is two different species can anyone clarify on this and can I use either of them as long as I use them on the same body of water I caught them on? Thank You

Way to revive a ten year old thread! WOW! Nailed it!

Seriously, though…did this ever get resolution? I’m from WI and can pretty much do what I want, but fishing a border water most of the time, I like to be in the know.

Depends what state you’re referring to.

On MN/WI border waters, as long as they are bought from a licensed dealer you are good. The dealer needs to ensure they have been tested for VHS…the last I heard.

BTW the VHS scare was just that. A scare. VHS comes and goes in cycles according to a number of biologists further South.