FISHING LICENSES

The Electronic Licensing System (ELS) uses point of sale (ELS-POS) terminals at any of 1,700 ELS or ELS special licensed agent locations throughout Minnesota. The names and locations of these agents are posted on the DNR web page (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or can be obtained from the DNR Information Center.

Residents wishing to obtain a license or stamp must provide their MN Driver's License, MN Public Safety ID, or MN DNR number from a prior ELS license. Nonresidents must provide their nonresident driver's license number, social security number, or MN DNR number from a prior ELS license. Duplicate licenses are available at any ELS agent location.

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_{_☞}* The marriage must be legal as recognized by Minnesota law. ** A sports combination license is one small game hunting license and two fishing licenses.

***A sports license includes fishing and small game hunting and includes the $4 Small Game Surcharge.

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Residents who qualify for SSI for the aged, blind, or disabled and foreign exchange students may apply annually for special licenses from ELS special licensed agents. Special licenses issued to residents on a permanent basis for mental disability and veterans disability are only available through the DNR License Center in St. Paul.

Licenses and stamps are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by telephone (1-888-MNLICEN) or via the Internet (www.dnr.state.mn.us) for an additional $3.50 charge. You will receive a Temporary Authorization Number (TAN) that can be used as a license or stamp (exception: tags, such as an ice shelter tag).

The printed ELS licenses have a backing on the adhesive side that contains important information. After purchase, customers should fold the license without taking off the backing.

Public Record Notice:

Most of the data that you supply when buying a license becomes a public record. If you do not wish to have this data made available for bulk mailings, contact the DNR at (651) 296-6157 (Twin Cities Metro Area), 1-(888) 646-6367 (MN toll free), or info@dnr.state.mn.us.

Trout Stamp

Trout stamp validations are printed on the ELS license. This is the only verification you need to prove purchase of the trout stamp. If you wish to receive an actual pictorial stamp (now no longer required if you have the stamp validation on your license), you must request it at time of purchase and pay an additional $2 processing fee.

Except as noted below, anglers need a trout stamp validation and a fishing or sports license when fishing in designated trout streams, designated trout lakes, and Lake Superior, and when in possession of trout or salmon. Trout stamps are not required for children less than 16 years old, resident adults who are 65 and older, people fishing with a 24-hour license, or people who are exempted from fishing license requirements or who receive a fishing license at no charge.

For short-term licenses, anglers may choose any consecutive dates.

Agents charge an issuing fee of $1 for each license sold, except for resident senior fishing licenses. The trout stamp issuing fee may be 50 cents if purchased separately.

License Revocation

If, within a three-year period, you are convicted of two fishing violations, your fishing privileges will be revoked for one year. Violations of fishing laws in other states may affect your fishing privileges in Minnesota.

Lifetime license fees

RESIDENTS
Age Group	Fishing	Small Game	Sports
age 3 and under	$227	$217	$357
4 to age 15	$300	$290	$480
16 to age 50	$383	$363	$613
51 and over	$203	$213	$413

NON-RESIDENTS (available March 1, 2002) Age Group Fishing Small Game

age 3 and under $447 $ 947 4 to age 15 $600 $1,280 16 to age 50 $773 $1,633 51 and over $513 $1,083

LIFETIME LICENSES

You must be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year to purchase a resident lifetime license or be under age 21 and the child of a person who has been a Minnesota resident for at least one year. The resident lifetime license is valid even if the licensee moves out of Minnesota.

☞ Beginning March 1, 2002, nonresidents may buy nonresident lifetime licenses.

If you buy a lifetime license, each year you must still obtain a free annual license from a license vendor or through the DNR phone license system. Also, you may purchase trout stamp validations only from license vendors or by phone. Lifetime licenses are nonrefundable and they are available for

individuals only.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Residents

• To qualify as a resident, a person must maintain a legal residence in Minnesota for at least 60 consecutive days before purchasing a license.

• A nonresident under age 21 whose parent is a Minnesota resident.

• All residents age 16 or older must have the appropriate license on their person when fishing. Exceptions: Mothers on Take A Mom Fishing Weekend (May 11-12) and adults accompanying children under age 16 on Take A Kid Fishing Weekend (June 7-9) may fish without a license on those dates.

• Residents serving in the U.S. Military who are stationed outside the state must have leave or furlough papers on their person to fish without a license.

• Residents age 65 and older qualify for a discounted senior citizen fishing license. Resident seniors aren’t required to buy a trout stamp validation.

• A permanent fishing license will be issued without charge to any resident of Minnesota over age 16 who is mentally retarded and Minnesota veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability.* An annual fishing license will be issued without charge to any resident of Minnesota who receives supplemental security income for the aged, blind or disabled.* (An unlicensed person may assist a disabled angler who possesses a permanent disability fishing license, provided that only the lawful lines are in use.)

• A fishing license is not required for patients of a state Veterans Administration hospital, state correctional facility, or nursing home who have written consent from the superintendent of the facility; participants in adult day care programs of a licensed nursing or boarding care home; residents of a licensed board and lodging facility; or residents of a drug or alcohol residential treatment facility who are under the age of 20.*

• Residents who are receiving disability aid under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, 45 United States Code Annotated, Section 228 b(a)5, or who are former employees of the U.S. Postal Service who are receiving disability pay under USCA Title 5, Section 8337, may take fish by angling or spear without a license.* Person must carry evidence of disability retirement.

• All residents age 15 and younger are allowed to take their own limit of fish.

Nonresidents

• All nonresidents age 16 and older are required to have an appropriate fishing license while angling. Nonresidents under age 16 don’t need a license if an accompanying parent or guardian is licensed. Children of an adult who has a Minnesota nonresident family license may possess their own limit of fish. However, if the adult has an individual license, the child’s fish are included as part of the adult’s limit. Nonresidents under age 16 may purchase a license and possess their own limit of fish.

• Nonresident full-time students spending the full term of a school year in Minnesota can purchase a resident license upon presenting proof of their student status. Foreign exchange students attending school in Minnesota may receive a free angling license upon presenting proof of their exchange student status.

• Nonresidents in the U.S. military who have officially transferred to or are in training in Minnesota are eligible for resident fishing licenses.

• A nonresident who is under age 21 and has a parent who is a Minnesota resident can buy a resident license.

*Trout stamp not required.

SEASONS AND LIMITS FOR INLAND WATERS

• All calendar dates are for 2002 unless noted otherwise.

• Daily and possession limits are the same unless otherwise noted.

• Most species have experimental or special regulations on some waters. See pages 30–40.

• For Canada, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota border water regulations, see pages 45–53.

SPECIES OPEN SEASON POSSESSION LIMIT

WALLEYE May 11, 2002-6* (Not more and SAUGER Feb. 16, 2003 than 1 walleye (either or over 24" may be combined) taken each day.) *(Minimum size limit 15" for walleyes on the inland waters of Pool 3 [dam at Hastings to railroad tracks on the Minnesota—Wisconsin border]).

NORTHERN May 11, 2002-3 (Not more PIKE Feb. 16, 2003 than 1 over 30" may be taken each day.)

MUSKELLUNGE June 1, 2002-1* including Feb. 16, 2003 HYBRID MUSKELLUNGE *Minimum size limit for both species: 40". Exception: Minimum size is 30" in Shoepac Lake in Voyageurs National Park (St. Louis County).

LARGEMOUTH May 25, 2002-6 (No harvest of and SMALLMOUTH Feb. 16, 2003 smallmouth bass is BASS (May 11, 2002-allowed from (either or Feb. 16, 2003, September 9, 2002 combined) north and east through the end of of U.S. Hwy. 53 the season. All small-from Duluth to mouth bass taken International Falls during this period and Pelican and must be immediately Ash lakes in St. Louis returned to the water.) County)

CRAPPIE Continuous 15

SUNFISH and Continuous 30 BLUEGILL (either or combined)

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THIS PAGE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

The following regulations apply only to stream trout (splake and brook, brown, and rainbow trout) in inland lakes and streams. They do not include lake trout, which are listed under Inland Waters, page 14. And they do not cover Lake Superior tributaries, listed on page 18.

Calendar dates refer to 2002 unless noted otherwise. Daily and possession limits are the same.

STREAM TROUT* SEASONS

Streams

Lakes (summer)

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STREAM TROUT* SEASONS (CONTINUED) Lakes (winter)

Stream Trout Regulations

• Fishing hours for stream trout on inland waters are from one hour before sunrise to 11 p.m.

• Only one line is allowed winter or summer when fishing on designated stream trout lakes (listed in the DNR’s “Guide to Lakes Managed for Stream Trout”) and designated trout streams.

• Possessing live minnows, not including leeches, or using them for bait on designated stream trout lakes is prohibited.

• Angling in designated trout waters during the closed trout season is prohibited.

• Taking minnows or leeches from designated trout waters, except under special permit, is prohibited.

• All stream trout must have head, tail, fins, and skin intact when being transported.

• Rough fish may not be taken by spear, harpoon, archery, or dip net in designated trout lakes or streams.

* “Stream trout” are defined as brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and splake in both lakes and streams.

SEASONS AND LIMITS FOR
LAKE SUPERIOR AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

The following regulations have been expanded to clarify for anglers the fishing seasons and limits for the variety of coldwater fish in Lake Superior and the streams and rivers flowing into it.

Daily and possession limits are the same.

Posted upstream boundaries on Lake Superior tributaries generally define the areas accessible to anadromous trout and salmon. The boundaries, as well as fish sanctuary areas, are marked with signs.

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Regulations

• Two lines may be used on Lake Superior, except only one is allowed within 100 yards from where a tributary stream enters the lake. Also, only one line may be used in tributary streams.

• Anglers are restricted to a single hook only—no treble hooks—on Lake Superior tributary streams and rivers up to the posted boundaries. Exceptions are the St. Louis River (St. Louis and Carlton Counties) and the Pigeon River (Cook County).

• Angling hours on Lake Superior tributaries below the posted boundaries are from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Exceptions are the St. Louis River (St. Louis and Carlton Counties) and the Pigeon River (Cook County).

• Special regulations on North Shore streams include posted sanctuaries on the Knife, Little Knife, Devil Track, and Kadunce Rivers and on Gauthier Creek. (See Experimental and Special Regulations, page 38.)

• Unclipped steelhead (rainbow trout) must be immediately released on Lake Superior and its tributaries. A clipped adipose fin, used to identify stocked trout, must show a healed scar (see diagram below).

Adipose fin(no rays) _{_Healed}scar

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• While on the Minnesota waters of Lake Superior, persons who have angling licenses from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, or Canada may possess only the daily limit of fish allowed under one license.

• Anyone fishing on the Minnesota waters of Lake Superior must possess a Minnesota angling license and trout stamp validation except residents 65 and older are exempt from a trout stamp validation as well as the other exemptions listed on page 10.

• A guide’s license is required to operate a charter boat for the purpose of guiding or assisting anglers on the Minnesota waters of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River estuary.

• A person cannot fish on Wisconsin waters of Lake Superior with a Minnesota angling license.

• Smelt may be taken night or day, but not with the help of artificial lights. There is no limit on smelt, and they may be bought or sold. However, live smelt may not be possessed or transported.

• Dip nets may be used for taking smelt. Minnow seines not more than 25 feet long or 4 feet deep may be used to take smelt in the St. Louis River and in Lake Superior when more than 100 feet from the mouth of any stream.

• All other species not named are subject to inland regulations.

• On Lake Superior tributaries below the posted boundaries, a fish that is hooked in any part of the body, except the mouth, must be immediately returned to the water.

FISH IDENTIFICATION

Knowing what fish species you are catching is not only fun, but in many cases it’s required by law. It is particularly important to know how to distinguish walleye from sauger, to know the difference between northern pike and muskellunge, and to be able to tell what species of trout or salmon you catch.

WALLEYE and SAUGER

White spot on bottom of tail

No white spot on bottom of tail

A walleye/sauger (saugeye) hybrid fillets are counted as part of a walleye possession limit

NORTHERN PIKE and MUSKELLUNGE

NORTHERN
_{_PIKE}LIGHT markings on DARK background

Rounded tail fins

MUSKELLUNGE:
SPOTTED PHASE

DARK markings on LIGHT background Pointed tail fins

TROUT AND SALMON

Small black dots throughout

^{^{RAINBOW TROUT}}

the body that extend into tail

Pinkish stripe on silvery body

BROWN TROUT

Large dark spots _{_Square}and red dots on
brown body ^{^tail}

BROOK TROUT

White leading

LAKE TROUT

White leading

Spots throughout tail

is dark

Spots in top half^{^{is gray}}of tail only

PINK SALMON

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has hump on back.

blotches on spawning fish

TRANSPORTATION, SHIPMENT, AND STORAGE OF FISH

Fish prepared for transportation, shipment, or storage are defined as follows:

Undressed fish must have heads, tails, fins, and skin intact. Entrails, gills, and scales may be removed.

Dressed fish may have heads and scales or skin removed, in addition to gills and entrails.

Fillets are fish flesh, excluding cheeks, that has been removed from a fish. Scales or skin may be removed or intact.

Transportation

• Licensed anglers and resident children under 16 may transport up to a possession limit of any fish species. However, fish must be packaged in such a way that they can be readily unwrapped, separated, identified, and counted.

• Northern pike and walleye may be transported dressed or as fillets, but must retain a 1-square-inch patch of skin. Exception: Northern pike and walleye must be undressed while on experimental or special regulation waters. Other fish species with statewide length limits (muskellunge, sturgeon, splake, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and salmon) must be transported undressed so that they can be measured.

• To reduce the spread of harmful aquatic exotic species, anglers may not transport live fish, except for home aquariums (see page 27). This includes taking live fish home in the livewell of your trailered boat.

To determine the legal “total length” of a fish, lay it flat on its side, squeeze the tail from tip to tip, and measure from the nose to where the tail tips meet.

Mouth closed

All fish must be killed or released before transportation. This does not

apply to minnows. • A fish cannot be reduced to more than two fillets.

• All dressed fish and fillets must have a 1-square-inch patch of skin with scales intact from a portion of the body other than the belly. Sauger prepared in this manner are counted as walleye. The exceptions are bullhead, sunfish, and crappie, which may be completely filleted and skinned.

One of the best ways to transport your fish so they can be counted and identified is in clear plastic freezer bags.

Fillets must show at least a 1-square-inch patch of skin with scales so fish species can be identified.

Shipment

• Licensed anglers may make three shipments of fish per year. A permit issued by a conservation officer is required for each shipment. A shipment cannot contain more than a possession limit of one species.

• Fish which have been prepared, packed, and labeled by a licensed fish packer must comply with regulations governing licensed fish packers and those regarding fish species length limits. From March 15 through November 30, filleted sauger are counted as walleye.

Storage

• Fish in cold storage count toward a possession limit.

• Frozen fish should be packaged in a way that they can be counted and identified.

• A person who stores fish for another must plainly mark the package, in ink, with the name, address, and fishing license number of the owner, and the number of fish in the package.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS

The following regulations apply to all Minnesota waters unless noted otherwise in this booklet.

Possessing and Transporting Fish

• Daily and possession limits are the same unless otherwise noted. Fish are in an angler’s possession whether on hand, in cold storage, in transport, or elsewhere.

• Fish must be transported in a way that they can be counted and the species of each fish can be identified. If statewide length limits apply to the species, the head and tail must be intact so the fish can be measured. The fish must also be undressed while on experimental, special management, or other waters that have special length limits. For northern pike and walleye, see pages 25–26.

• It is illegal for anglers to transport live fish, including in livewells of trailered boats. The only exception is for purposes of display in a home aquarium. Here are the conditions: You can purchase game fish from an authorized licensee and transport the fish live if you have the necessary documents (such as a sales receipt), or, if you are age 16 or under, you may transport—if you’ve legally caught them by angling— largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, rock bass, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, orange spotted sunfish, and black, yellow, and brown bullhead. No more than four of each species may be transported at any one time, and any individual fish can be no longer than 10 inches in total length.

• It is illegal for anyone to have in possession, regardless of where taken, any fish outside the legal length limits for that species while on or fishing in experimental, special, or border waters.

• Possessing or transporting white perch, ruffe, round goby or alewife is unlawful.

Angling Methods

• Anglers may use only one hook. An artificial lure is considered one hook. A treble hook, when not part of an artificial lure, is considered three hooks and is not legal. The exceptions are: Three artificial flies may be used when angling for trout, crappie, sunfish, and rock bass.

• Anglers may use only one line. The exceptions are:

a) Two lines may be used through the ice (other than on designated trout lakes and streams); and b) Two lines may be used on Lake Superior when more than 100 yards from the point where a tributary stream or river enters the lake.

• Using whole or parts of game fish, goldfish, or carp for bait is unlawful.

_{_☞}• You may not intentionally fish for any species during its closed season.

• Angling with an unattended line, setline, or trotline is unlawful.

• Angling for any species on a designated trout water is unlawful when the trout season is closed.

• Anglers must remain within 200 feet of their tip-up.

• Possessing or using live minnows on designated stream trout lakes is unlawful. Only dried, frozen, or pickled (brined) minnows are allowed.

• Using an artificial light to lure or attract fish, or to see fish when spearing, is unlawful. Exception: While angling, a person may affix to the end of a fishing line a lighted artificial bait with hooks attached. Any battery that is used in lighted fishing lures cannot contain any intentionally introduced mercury.

• A party is defined as a group of two or more persons:

1) angling from a single watercraft; or

2) if not in a watercraft, maintaining unaided visual and vocal contact with each other. The total number of fish possessed by the party may not exceed the combined limits of the numbers of the party. Each party member may transport only an individual limit of fish.

• The use of explosives, firearms, chemicals (not including fish scents), or electricity for taking fish is unlawful.

• It is unlawful to intentionally take a fish by snagging.

Other

• Transplanting aquatic plants, placing exotic species, applying chemicals and some types of cutting to control vegetation in any public waters requires a permit. (See page 43 for more information).

• Dragging boat anchors or other weights with a motor-propelled boat through aquatic vegetation is unlawful.

• Depositing fish entrails or fish parts into public waters or onto lake or stream shores is prohibited.

• Littering of any materials and depositing rubbish, poisonous sub-stances, or chemicals harmful to aquatic life into public waters, onto ice, or lake or stream shores is illegal. Fish line and various packaging materials can be harmful to wildlife.

• Marking or tagging fish and then releasing them without a DNR permit is unlawful.

• A DNR permit is required for any fishing contest where entry fees are over $25, prizes exceed $25,000, or when participants exceed 30 for open water and 150 for ice fishing. See web site or call DNR Information Center for more information.

• A permit from the county sheriff is required for most organized events on the water or ice.

• Buying or selling game fish, whitefish, or cisco is unlawful. The exceptions are smelt and fish obtained under a commercial, private hatchery, or aquatic farm license.

• Transporting and stocking fish or fish eggs or transferring fish or fish eggs from one body of water to another is prohibited without a written permit from the DNR.

• Some fish spawning areas are posted to prohibit motorized boat travel. Landowners or lessees adjacent to these areas may use the shortest and most direct route when traveling to and from their property, provided they operate their boat at no more than 5 mph.

• Rough fish taken with hook and line may be returned alive to the water from which they were taken.

• Importing live minnows into Minnesota for use as bait is unlawful.

• Notice to Fall Fishermen: 1. Migratory Waterfowl Feeding and Resting Areas are closed to motorboats (except electric trolling motors of less than 30 pounds thrust) as posted during the fall waterfowl seasons. 2. Wildlife Management Areas are closed to motorboats, including electric motors, unless specifically allowed. For a list of these areas, refer to a current copy of the Hunting and Trapping Regulations.

• Some ponds and lakes are licensed for private aquaculture use. If you trespass to gain access to these waters for fishing, you may be in violation of fishing laws in addition to trespassing laws.

• Any fish that is caught and will not be utilized must be returned alive back into the water. A person cannot wantonly waste a fish that is caught by leaving it or any usable portion on the ice, thrown up on the bank, or intentionally killing it and returning it back into the water unless authorized.

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TREATY AND EXPERIMENTAL AND SPECIAL

REGULATIONS

Lake Mille Lacs and Other 1837 Treaty Lakes Approximately 110 fishing lakes in east-central Minnesota lie within

the 1837 ceded territory. The DNR might need to alter the fishing

regulations on some or all of these waters after the Indian Bands declare

their harvest goals on March 15, 2002, in order to ensure that the total

harvest stays at a safe level. Treaty-related regulations will be announced

in newspapers and the DNR web site and posted at public access sites

on the affected lakes. You can also call the DNR Information Center

at: (651) 296-6157 or (888) 646-6367. An 1837 Treaty Regulations

Brochure will be available by April 2002. The following counties have

lakes that could be affected: Aitkin, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti,

Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, and Washington.

Experimental and Special Regulations Experimental and special fishing regulations, which differ from nor

mal statewide regulations, are used to manage a specific lake or stream in

a special way. These regulations help the DNR improve fishing quality,

protect unique fisheries, provide additional fishing opportunities, or

protect threatened species. The DNR regularly evaluates experimental

regulations to see whether they are worth continuing. Note: Fish taken from waters with length limits for that species must have their heads, tails, fins, and skin intact while on the water. Namakan Reservoir Lakes: A person who is in transit, taking the

most direct route back to the person’s lodging or docking, and not

fishing, may possess undressed walleye that are not within the walleye

length limit requirements if the walleye were legally taken from

Minnesota or Ontario waters that are connected to the Namakan

Reservoir Lakes. (See * on pages 32, 33, 34, and 36.) Each of the following waters has experimental or special regulations, which are posted at access sites. While on or fishing these waters, all fish in possession must be within the specified length limits regardless of where caught.

LAKES**
Andrews Lake (Douglas County)

NORTHERN PIKE: All 24" and larger must be immediately returned to

the water. Ann Lake (Carver County)

LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water. Annie Battle Lake (Otter Tail County)

**Those lakes with a (T) are also treaty lakes. Make sure you check the access for regulations.

Use of gas and electric motors, augers, and electronic fish-finding
devices is prohibited.
SUNFISH: Possession limit 5.
NORTHERN PIKE and LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately
returned to the water.

Annie Battle Lake Inlet (to Molly Stark Lake) and Outlet (to
Blanche Lake) (Otter Tail County)
SUNFISH: Possession limit 5
NORTHERN PIKE and LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately
returned to the water.

Bald Eagle Lake (Anoka, Ramsey, and Washington Counties) MUSKELLUNGE: Minimum size limit 48". Bass Lake (Itasca County) SUNFISH: Possession limit 5 Bavaria Lake (Carver County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water.

Bear Creek Reservoir (Olmsted County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: Minimum size limit 15". BLUEGILL: Possession limit 10. Minimum size limit 7", Nov. 1–April 30.

Big Birch Lake (Todd and Stearns Counties) NORTHERN PIKE: All 24" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Big Sand Lake (Hubbard County) WALLEYE: All from 18" through 26" must be immediately returned to the water. Only 1 over 26" allowed in a possession limit.

Big Stone Lake (Big Stone County) WALLEYE: Minimum size limit 14".

Big Swan Lake (Todd County) NORTHERN PIKE: All 24" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Boys Lake (Cook County) TROUT: Possession limit 2, minimum size limit 14", artificial lures and flies with single hook only, closed to winter fishing.

Burgen Lake (Douglas County) NORTHERN PIKE: All 24" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Carnelian Lake (Stearns County) SUNFISH: Possession limit 10.

Cedar Lake (Morrison County) WALLEYE: Possession limit 2, except 1 over 24" in a possession limit. BLACK CRAPPIE: Possession limit 5. NORTHERN PIKE: Possession limit 1. Minimum size limit 38".

Charles Lake (Ramsey County) Closed to fishing.

Chisago Lake (Chisago County) (T) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All 12" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Christina Lake (Douglas and Grant Counties) Open to winter fishing only, December 1–March 31. Closed to fishing at all other times.

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Clear Lake (Waseca County) LARGEMOUTH BASS and SMALLMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water.

Clitherall Lake (Otter Tail County) SMALLMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water.

Coon-Sandwick Lake (Itasca County) NORTHERN PIKE: All from 20" through 30" must be immediately returned to the water. Only 1 over 30" allowed in a possession limit.

Crane Lake including Vermilion Gorge (St. Louis County) WALLEYE: All less than 13" or larger than 17" must be immediately returned to the water, except 1 over 23" is allowed in a possession limit.

Crawford Lake (Wright County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water. SUNFISH: Possession limit 5. CRAPPIE: Possession limit 5. WALLEYE: Possession limit 2. PERCH: Possession limit 10.

Crooked Lake (Anoka County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water. Deep Lake (Ramsey County) Closed to fishing. DeMontreville Lake (Washington County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water. Dudley Lake (Rice County) NORTHERN PIKE: Minimum size limit 30". Eagle Lake (Hennepin County) MUSKELLUNGE: Minimum size limit 48".

East Battle Lake (Otter Tail County) NORTHERN PIKE: All 22" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Elk Lake (Clearwater County) MUSKELLUNGE: Minimum size limit 48".

Farm Island Lake (Aitkin County) WALLEYE: All from 16" through 19" must be immediately returned to the water.

Fladmark Lake (Otter Tail County) SUNFISH: Possession limit 10. NORTHERN PIKE and LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water.

Flour Lake (Cook County) SMALLMOUTH BASS: All 11" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Foster Arend Lake (Olmsted County) TROUT: Continuous season. Possession limit 3 with only 1 over 16". Grave Lake (Itasca County) SUNFISH: Possession limit 5. Green Lake (Chisago County)(T) CRAPPIE: Minimum size limit 9".

Green Lake (Kandiyohi County) SMALLMOUTH BASS and LARGEMOUTH BASS: All 14" or larger must be immediately returned to the water.

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NORTHERN PIKE: All 24" and larger must be immediately returned to the water. Hovde Lake (Cass County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water.

Hungry Jack Lake (Cook County) SMALLMOUTH BASS: All 11" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Jane Lake (Washington County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water.

Kabetogama Lake (St. Louis County) including Sullivan Bay and Ash River to Ash River Falls. WALLEYE: All less than 13" or larger than 17" must be immediately returned to the water, except 1 over 23" is allowed in a possession limit.

Kelly Lake (Rice County) NORTHERN PIKE: Minimum size limit 30".

Knife Lake (Kanabec County) (T) WALLEYE: All from 18" through 24" must be immediately returned to the water.

Lac Qui Parle Lake upstream to Marsh Lake Dam, including the Watson Sag upstream to the diversion dam (Lac Qui Parle and Chippewa Counties) WALLEYE: Minimum size limit 15".

Lake Hanska (Brown County) Closed to fishing until Nov. 7, 2002.

Lake of the Woods including the Rainy River from the mouth upstream to the dam in International Falls, Baudette and Winter Road Rivers (Lake of the Woods County), and Warroad River (Roseau County). NORTHERN PIKE: Possession limit is 3, with only 1 over 40". All from 30" through 40" must be immediately returned to the water.

Little Mantrap Lake (Hubbard County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All from 12" through 18" must be immediately returned to the water.

Little McDonald Lake (Otter Tail County) WALLEYE: All from 18" through 26" must be immediately returned to the water. Only 1 over 26" allowed in a possession limit.

Little Sauk Lake (Todd County) WALLEYE: Possession limit is 2. LARGEMOUTH BASS: Possession limit is 1. SUNFISH: Possession limit is 5. CRAPPIE: Possession limit is 5. YELLOW PERCH: Possession limit is 10. NORTHERN PIKE: All from 24" through 30" must be immediately returned to the water. Possession limit is 3, with only 1 over 30".

Little Vermilion Lake (St. Louis County) including Loon River to Loon River Falls. WALLEYE: All less than 13" or larger than 17" must be immediately returned to the water, except 1 over 23" is allowed in a possession limit.

Little Wolf Lake (Cass and Hubbard Counties) MUSKELLUNGE: Minimum size limit 48".

Long Lake (Kandiyohi County, near Hawick) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All 12" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Maple Lake (Douglas County) CRAPPIE: Minimum size limit 10".

Medicine Lake (Beltrami County) NORTHERN PIKE: All from 22" through 30" must be immediately returned to the water. Only 1 over 30" allowed in a possession limit.

Melissa Lake (Becker County) NORTHERN PIKE: All 24" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Mille Lacs Lake (Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Mille Lacs Counties) (T) No one may fish for any species or possess fishing gear on the lake from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. starting at 10 p.m. on May 13 and ending at 12:01 a.m. on June 10. Closed to winter spearing for all species. WALLEYE: Restrictions or changes on walleye harvest and length limits in effect will be posted at public access sites.

NORTHERN PIKE: All from 24" through 36" must be immediately returned to the water. Possession limit 3 with only 1 over 36". SMALLMOUTH BASS: All less than 21" must be immediately returned to the water. Possession limit 1.

Mink Lake (Wright County) SUNFISH: Possession limit 5. CRAPPIE: Possession limit 5. YELLOW PERCH: Possession limit 10. WALLEYE: Possession limit 2. LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water. Possession or use of live minnows is prohibited.

Minnewashta Lake (Carver County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water. Moccasin Lake (Cass County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water. Moody Lake (Crow Wing County) Closed to fishing.

Moose Lake (Todd County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All 12" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

*Namakan Lake (St. Louis County) WALLEYE: All less than 13" or larger than 17" must be immediately returned to the water, except 1 over 23" is allowed in a possession limit.

North Lida Lake (Otter Tail County) CRAPPIE: Minimum size limit 11".

North Twin Lake (Beltrami County) NORTHERN PIKE: All from 22" through 30" must be immediately returned to the water. Only 1 over 30" allowed in a possession limit.

Norway Lake (Otter Tail County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water. WALLEYE: Possession limit 3. NORTHERN PIKE: Possession limit 1.

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CRAPPIE: Possession limit 5. SUNFISH: Possession limit 5. YELLOW PERCH: Possession limit 10.

Ogechie Lake (Mille Lacs County) (T) NORTHERN PIKE: All from 24" through 36" must be immediately returned to the water. Possession limit 3 with only 1 over 36".

Olson Lake (Washington County)

LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water. Osakis Lake (Douglas and Todd Counties) WALLEYE: Minimum size limit 15". Owasso Lake (Ramsey County) MUSKELLUNGE: Minimum size limit 48". Ox Yoke Lake (Cass County) SUNFISH: Possession limit 10.

Pelican Lake (St. Louis County) LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS: All from 14" through 20" must be immediately returned to the water. Only 1 over 20" allowed in a possession limit. NORTHERN PIKE: All from 24" through 32" must be immediately returned to the water. Only 1 over 32" allowed in a possession limit.

Pierz (Fish) Lake (Morrison County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All 12" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Pike Lake (Cook County) SMALLMOUTH BASS: All 11" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Plantaganette Lake (Hubbard County) MUSKELLUNGE: Minimum size limit 48".

Pleasant Lake (Ramsey County) Closed to fishing. Pleasant Lake (Stearns County) SUNFISH: Possession limit 10.

Portage Lake (Cass County, north of Ten Mile Lake) LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water.

Rabbit Lakes, Big and East Big (Crow Wing County) NORTHERN PIKE: All 24" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Rachel Lake and Little Rachel Lake (Douglas County) NORTHERN PIKE: All 24" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Rainy Lake (including the Rainy River above the dam at International Falls, all of Rainy Lake to the dam at Kettle Falls, Black Bay including Gold Portage below the rapids, all of the Rat Root River, and Rat Root Lake; Koochiching and St. Louis Counties) WALLEYE and SAUGER: Possession limit of 8 (Not more than 4 can be walleye; fish from 17" through 28" must be immediately released; only one walleye over 28". (Effective May 11, 2002.)

Rebecca Lake (Hennepin County)

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MUSKELLUNGE: Minimum size limit 48".

Red Lake, Upper and its tributaries (Beltrami County) WALLEYE: Closed to the taking of walleye. It is unlawful to have any walleye in possession regardless of where taken while on or fishing this water.

Reeds Lake (Waseca County) NORTHERN PIKE: Minimum size limit 30". Saganaga Lake (Cook County) WALLEYE: Possession limit 6, with only 1 over 19.5".

Sallie Lake (Becker County) NORTHERN PIKE: All 24" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Sanburn Lake (Cass County) SUNFISH: Possession limit 10.

Sand Point Lake (St. Louis County) WALLEYE: All less than 13" or larger than 17" must be immediately returned to the water, except 1 over 23" is allowed in a possession limit.

Sissabagamah Lake (Aitkin County) NORTHERN PIKE: All from 20" through 30" must be immediately returned to the water. Only 1 over 30" allowed in a possession limit.

Somers Lake (Wright County) SUNFISH: Possession limit 5. CRAPPIE: Possession limit 5. YELLOW PERCH: Possession limit 10. WALLEYE: Possession limit 2. LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water. Possession or use of live minnows is prohibited.

South Lida Lake (Otter Tail County) CRAPPIE: Minimum size limit 11".

South Lindstrom Lake (Chisago County) (T) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All 12" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Spider Lake (Hubbard County) CRAPPIE: Minimum size limit 10".

Square Lake (Washington County) TROUT: All must be immediately returned to the water from May 11 through June 7 and from October 1 through October 31. Remainder of the summer and winter seasons the possession limit for trout is 2.

St. Olaf Lake (Waseca County) NORTHERN PIKE: Minimum size limit 30".

Stieger Lake (Carver County) WALLEYE, NORTHERN PIKE, MUSKELLUNGE, and LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water.

Sturgeon Lake (Pine County) NORTHERN PIKE: All 20" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Ten Mile Lake (Cass County) NORTHERN PIKE: All 20" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Ten Mile Lake, North and South (Otter Tail County)

LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS: Minimum size limit 21". Possession limit 1.

Thrush Lake (Cook County)

TROUT: Possession limit of 1, with a minimum size of 18". Artificial lures and flies with single hook only. Closed to winter fishing.

Turnip Lake (Cook County) TROUT: Possession limit of 1, with a minimum size of 18". Artificial lures and flies with single hook only. Closed to winter fishing.

Turtle Lake (Ramsey County) LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water.

Twenty One Lake (Otter Tail County) SUNFISH: Possession limit 10. NORTHERN PIKE and LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water.

Two Island Lake (Cook County) SMALLMOUTH BASS: All 11" and larger must be immediately returned to the water.

Venstrom Lake (Otter Tail County) CRAPPIE: Minimum size limit 11".

Waconia Lake (Carver County) WALLEYE: Minimum size 16". LARGEMOUTH BASS: Only 1 over 21" allowed in a possession limit. All from 17" through 21" must be immediately returned to the water.

Wilkins Lake (Aitkin County) NORTHERN PIKE: All from 20" through 30" must be immediately returned to the water. Only 1 over 30" allowed in a possession limit.

Wilkinson Lake (Anoka and Ramsey Counties) Closed to fishing.

Winnibigoshish Lake and connected waters: Mississippi River to Knutson Dam, Third River Flowage to Little Dixon Lake, Pigeon River to Pigeon Lake Dam, First River, Egg Lake through Cut Foot Sioux Lake, Raven Flowage to Raven Lake, and Sugar Lake

(Beltrami, Cass and Itasca Counties)
WALLEYE: All from 17" through 26" must be immediately returned to
the water. Only 1 over 26" allowed in a possession limit.

STREAMS AND RIVERS

Baudette River (Lake of the Woods County) NORTHERN PIKE: Possession limit is 3, with only 1 over 40". All from 30" through 40" must be immediately returned to the water.

Beaver Creek (Wabasha and Winona Counties) TROUT: Winter catch-and-release season January 1 through March 31 on the entire stream, a 6.3-mile posted section from the mouth to the source. All hooks must be barbless.

Camp Creek (Fillmore County) BROWN TROUT: All from 12" through 16" in length must be immediately returned to the water on the posted section from the mouth upstream 3.5 miles. All hooks must be barbless. TROUT: Winter catch-and-release season Jan. 1–March 31 on posted section from mouth upstream 3.5 miles. All hooks must be barbless.

South Branch, formerly Canfield Creek (Fillmore County) TROUT: Winter catch-and-release season Jan. 1 through March 31 on the entire stream (Forestville State Park). All hooks must be barbless.

Cold Spring Brook (Wabasha County) BROOK TROUT: Minimum size limit 12". Possession limit 1. All hooks must be barbless.

Devil Track River (Cook County) FISH SANCTUARY: Mile 1.1 to Mile 1.6 open to fishing from June 1 through August 31 only.

Duschee Creek (Fillmore County) TROUT: Winter catch-and-release season January 1 through March 31 on the posted section from mouth upstream 5.5 miles. All hooks must be barbless.

Eagle Creek (Scott County) TROUT: Catch and release only.

East Beaver Creek (Houston County) TROUT: Winter catch-and-release season January 1 through March 31 on entire stream (Beaver Creek Valley State Park). All hooks must be barbless.

Gauthier Creek (Cook County) FISH SANCTUARY: Entire stream open to fishing from June 1 through August 31 only.

Hay Creek (Goodhue County) TROUT: All must be immediately returned to the water on 4.2-mile posted section. Winter season: Catch-and-release only January 1 to March 31 on 4.2-mile posted section. All hooks must be barbless.

Kadunce River (Cook County) FISH SANCTUARY: Mile 0.2 (lower falls) to Mile 0.4 open to fishing from June 1 through August 31 only.

Knife River (St. Louis and Lake Counties) FISH SANCTUARY: River and tributaries upstream from Lake County Road 9 open to fishing from May 15 through September 30 only. The river between the cables upstream of the fish trap open to fishing from June 1 through August 31. U.S. Highway 61 bridge downstream to the cable below the fish trap is permanently closed to fishing.

Little Knife River (St. Louis County) FISH SANCTUARY: From the weir upstream to the source, fishing is allowed from June 1 through August 31 only.

Main Branch Whitewater River (Winona County) TROUT: Winter catch-and-release season from January 1 through March 31 on a 6.9-mile posted section from the Winona County Road 30 bridge crossing upstream to the confluence of the Middle and North Branches of the Whitewater River. All hooks must be barbless.

Middle Branch Whitewater River (Olmsted and Winona Counties) TROUT: All must be immediately returned to the water on 3.3-mile posted section from the junction of the tributary that is ^¹⁄_₄mile upstream of the Olmsted County Road 107 bridge crossing to the source. All hooks must be barbless. Winter season: Catch-and-release from January 1 through March 31 on a 4.2-mile posted section from the mouth upstream to the third State Highway 74 bridge crossing.

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All hooks must be barbless.

Mississippi River Valley (Ramsey, Washington, Hennepin, and Dakota Counties) WALLEYE, SAUGER, SMALLMOUTH BASS, and LARGEMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water with a continuous season in the following stretches:

a) Minnesota River downstream from the Mendota Bridge;

b) Minnehaha Creek downstream from Minnehaha Falls; and c) Pool 2 of the Mississippi River between the Hastings Dam and the Ford Dam, including all backwater lakes and connecting waters except Crosby Lake, Pickerel Lake, Upper Lake, Little Pigs Eye Lake, and North Star Steel Lake.

Mississippi River (Sherburne, Stearns and Wright Counties) SMALLMOUTH BASS: From the confluence of the Crow River upstream to the St. Cloud Dam, the possession limit is 3, with only 1 over 20". All from 12" through 20" must be immediately returned to the water.

Mississippi River Pools 5, 5A, and 8 (Wabasha, Houston, and Winona Counties) SUNFISH: Possession limit is 10.

North Branch Creek (Fillmore County) TROUT: Winter catch-and-release season January 1 through March 31 from the mouth to 1 mile upstream on that portion of the stream within Forestville State Park. All hooks must be barbless.

North Branch Whitewater River (Wabasha, Olmsted, and Winona Counties) BROWN TROUT: All from 12" through 16" in length must be immediately returned to the water from the second low-water crossing upstream from Elba to the river’s source. All hooks must be barbless. TROUT: Winter catch-and-release season from January 1 through March 31 on a 2.2-mile posted section from the mouth upstream to the first bridge crossing in Fairwater. All hooks must be barbless.

Otter Tail River (Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties) SMALLMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water from Wilkin County Road 19 crossing upstream to the Friberg Dam including all impoundments.

Rainy River to the dam at International Falls and the Warroad, Baudette, and Winter Road Rivers (tributaries to Lake of the Woods) (Lake of the Woods, Koochiching and Roseau Counties) NORTHERN PIKE: Possession limit is 3, with only 1 over 40". All from 30" through 40" must be immediately returned to the water.

South Branch Root River (Fillmore County) TROUT: Winter catch-and-release season January 1 through March 31 from the mouth to the dam and from the historic bridge (Meighen’s Store) in Forestville State Park upstream to the park boundary. All hooks must be barbless.

South Branch Whitewater River (Winona County) TROUT: Winter catch-and-release from January 1 through March 31 on a 3.8-mile posted section from the mouth to 1 mile upstream of the closed County Road 112 bridge crossing. All hooks must be barbless.

St. Louis River (St. Louis County)

FISH SANCTUARY: No fishing allowed at any time from the Fond du Lac Dam downstream to the Minnesota–Wisconsin boundary cable. No fishing allowed from the boundary cable downstream to the Hwy. 23 bridge from March 2 through May 18.

Trout Run Creek (Winona and Fillmore Counties) BROWN TROUT: All from 12" through 16" in length must be immediately returned to the water on the entire stream. All hooks must be barbless.

Trout Valley Creek (Winona County) BROOK TROUT: Minimum size limit 12". Possession limit 1. All hooks must be barbless.

Warroad River (Roseau County) NORTHERN PIKE: Possession limit is 3, with only 1 over 40". All from 30" through 40" must be immediately returned to the water.

West Indian Creek (Wabasha County) BROWN TROUT: All from 12" through 16" in length must be immediately returned to the water from the upstream Wabasha County Road 4 crossing to the source. All hooks must be barbless.

Winter Road River (Lake of the Woods County) NORTHERN PIKE: Possession limit is 3, with only 1 over 40". All from 30" through 40" must be immediately returned to the water.

_{_☞}Zumbro River (Wabasha County) SMALLMOUTH BASS: All must be immediately returned to the water along a 12-mile posted section downstream from the Highway 63 bridge at Zumbro Falls upstream to, but not including, its plunge pool below Zumbro Lake Dam.

Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources is available to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national
origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, age, sexual orientation, or
disability. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to MN-DNR, 500 Lafayette Road,
St. Paul, MN 55155-4031, or the Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior,
Washington, DC 20240.

This information is available in an alternative format upon request.

RECYCLABLE: The coated cover protects your regulations from water and the wear and tear of constant use. To recycle, remove the cover and staples, and then recycle the remaining pages.

ROUGH FISH SPEARING ARCHERY, AND DIP NETS

Rough fish are defined as carp, buffalo, sucker, redhorse, freshwater drum (sheepshead), bowfin (dogfish), burbot (eelpout), cisco (tullibee), gar, mooneye, and bullhead. The regulations below apply to spearing rough fish in state waters unless noted otherwise in this booklet.

• A bow may be transported uncased while taking rough fish in a boat powered by an electric motor. Crossbows may not be used to take rough fish, except by disabled persons who have a valid crossbow permit. Permit applications are available from any DNR regional office by calling the DNR Information Center number or through the DNR web site listed on page 66.

• Arrows must be attached to the bow with a tethered line.

• Licensed anglers and children under 16 may take rough fish by spearing, harpooning, archery, and hand-held dip nets in all inland waters, except where taking fish is prohibited. All rough fish, except cisco (tullibee), may be bought and sold. Note: whitefish are not considered a rough fish.

• Hand-held dip nets shall not have hoops exceeding 24 inches in diameter. (For more on smelt, see page 21.)

• Rough fish may not be taken by spear, harpoon, archery, or dip net in designated trout lakes or streams.

• Harpoons (spears) must have a tethered line not more than 20 feet long.

• It is unlawful to possess at or near waters a spear, net, or any device other than angling line that can take fish from February 17 through April 30, 2003. The exception is landing nets used for angling.

• Speared or dead rough fish may not be returned to the water or left on the ice or banks of any lake or stream.

FISH HOUSE OR DARK HOUSE

The following regulations apply to fish houses, dark houses, and portable shelters used on all Minnesota waters, unless noted otherwise elsewhere in this booklet.

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• All shelters, which include dark houses, fish houses, and portable shelters, placed on the ice of Minnesota waters must have the complete name and complete address or driver’s license number of the owner plainly and legibly displayed on the outside in letters and figures at least 2 inches in height. Dark houses, fish houses, and portable shelters placed on the ice for shelter while fishing must be licensed, except that a license is not required on border waters with Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota. A durable tag, furnished with the license, must be attached to the exterior side of the door not more than 6 inches below the top of the door. On structures with openings other than doors, the tag must be attached to the material to the right of the opening when facing the structure, no more than 6 inches below the top of the opening.

• Dark houses, fish houses, and portable shelters must have a door that can be opened from the outside at any time when in use.

• Taking fish by angling or with tip-ups is prohibited while spearing fish in a dark house, fish house, or portable shelter.

• Portable dark houses, fish houses, and shelters may be used for fishing within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), but must be removed from the ice each night. The structure must be removed from the BWCA each time the occupant leaves the BWCA.

• Dark houses, fish houses, and shelters must be off the ice no later than midnight, February 28 if they are south of the line starting at the Minnesota–North Dakota border formed by U.S. Highway 10, east along Highway 10 to Minnesota Highway 34, east along Highway 34 to Minnesota Highway 200, east along Highway 200 to U.S. Highway 2, and east along Highway 2 to the Minnesota– Wisconsin border. Dark houses, fish houses, and shelters north of that line must be off the ice no later than midnight, March 15. Exceptions are Minnesota–Canada border waters (March 31), Minnesota–Iowa border waters (February 20), Minnesota–South Dakota and North Dakota border waters (March 5), and Minnesota– Wisconsin border waters (March 1). If houses or shelters are not removed, owners will be prosecuted, and the structure may be confiscated and removed, or destroyed by a conservation officer. Contents of the structure may be seized and held for 60 days; if not claimed by the owner within that time, they become property of the State of Minnesota.

• Fish houses left on the ice overnight need to have at least 2 square inches of reflective material on each side of the house.

• No person may erect a dark house, fish house, or shelter within

10 feet of an existing dark house, fish house, or shelter.

• Storing or leaving fish houses or dark houses on a public access is prohibited.

• Nonresidents may not spear from a dark house.

• Nonresidents may angle from a licensed fish house.

• Nonresidents may obtain a license for a fish shelter. However, the

shelter cannot remain on the ice when unattended. Note: After the date when ice or fish houses or shelters must be removed, portable shelters may be placed on the ice and used from one hour before sunrise to midnight, but only if there is an open fishing season on the lake.

For Your Information

Aquatic plant permit requirements Water plants such as bulrushes are essential for lake ecosystems. They reduce wave erosion, provide fish and wildlife habitat, and purify water. Because lake plants can interfere with swimming and boating by lakeshore owners— but are also vital to lake health— the DNR allows removal under the following conditions. DNR permit is required to: 1. Remove emergent plants (such as bulrushes, cattails, and wild rice). 2. Remove plants in an area larger than 2,500 square feet or wider than 50 feet. 3. Use herbicides or algicides in Minnesota lakes. 4. Remove water lilies (other than in a narrow channel extending to open water). 5. Install or use an automated untended device such as the Crary WeedRoller. DNR permit not required For underwater plants only, you may cut or pull plants as long as: 1. the area does not extend along more than 50 feet of your shoreline or one-half the length of your frontage, whichever is less; 2. the total area is less than 2,500 square feet (except for boat channels); and 3. the plants are immediately and permanently disposed of on high ground where they can’t re-enter the water. For more information, call your regional DNR office (pgs. 67–68)

DARK HOUSE SPEARING

• Northern pike, rough fish, catfish, and whitefish may be taken by dark house spearing through the ice from December 1, 2002 through February 16, 2003 except where prohibited.

• Residents age 16 through 64 must have a dark house spearing license and an angling license. Residents 65 years old and older are exempt from the dark house spearing license, but must have an angling license to spear.

• Nonresidents may not spear from a dark house.

• A person may not have a spear in a dark house or fish house while angling.

• Party fishing does not apply while spearing.

SPEARING PROHIBITED

Winter spearing for northern pike is prohibited on the following lakes:

Baby* (Cass County)
Bad Axe* (Hubbard County)
Bald Eagle (Anoka, Ramsey and

Washington Counties)
Beers* (Otter Tail County)
Big* (Beltrami County)
Big Mantrap* (Hubbard County)
Big Sand* (Hubbard County)
Cass* (Beltrami and Cass Counties)
Cedar (Scott County)
Cross and its Snake River Flowage*

(Pine County)
Deer* (Itasca County)
Dumbbell* (Lake County)
Eagle (Hennepin County)
Forest (Hennepin County)
French* (Rice County)
Harris* (Lake County)
Independence* (Hennepin County)
Libbs (Hennepin County)
Little Moose* (Itasca County)
Little Sand* (Hubbard County)
Lobster* (Douglas County)
Mille Lacs (Aitkin, Crow Wing and

Mille Lacs Counties) Minnetonka (Hennepin and Carver Counties) Moose* (Itasca County)

North Star * (Itasca County)
Owasso (Ramsey County)
Peavey (Hennepin County)
Rebecca (Hennepin County)
Rush * (Chisago County)
Spider* (Hubbard County)
Spider* (Itasca County)
Stieger (Carver County)
Stocking* (Hubbard County)
Sugar* (Wright County)
Tanager (Hennepin County)
Wabedo* (Cass County)
West Battle* (Otter Tail County)

*Denotes lakes where no spearing is allowed at any time.

BORDER WATERS

Unless otherwise specifically mentioned in this section, all general restrictions relating to angling methods, licensing, seasons, limits, possession and transportation of fish, apply to border waters (see pages 25–29). While on or fishing these waters, all fish must be within the specified length limits regardless of where caught. Dates

All calendar dates refer to 2002 unless noted otherwise.

Licensing

Minnesota–Canada Border Waters: Anglers who have a Minnesota resident or nonresident license may fish only the Minnesota portion of Canada’s border waters.

Minnesota–Other States’ Border Waters: Minnesota has a reciprocal agreement with each of its bordering states: Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Residents of Minnesota or a bordering state may fish throughout the waters bordering the two states only if they possess a valid resident license from their resident state. Lake Superior is not covered under this agreement. See page 18. Nonresident anglers who have a nonresident license from either Minnesota or the bordering state may also fish throughout the border waters between the two states. Anglers may launch and fish from either shore and may transport their catch by the most direct route to the state in which they are licensed. This includes children who are not required to have a license.

When regulations differ between bordering states, anglers must comply with the regulations of the state for which they are licensed and can only exercise more liberal fishing privileges in the waters of the state where they are licensed. The exception is fish houses, which do not need to be licensed if the bordering state does not require a license. Currently, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota do not require a fish house license.

CANADA–MINNESOTA

The seasons and regulations listed below apply to the Minnesota portions of the following waters:

Cook County: Clove Lake, Devil’s Elbow Lake, North Fowl Lake, South Fowl Lake, Gneiss (Round) Lake, Granite Lake, Granite River, Gunflint Lake, Little Gunflint Lake, Lily Lake, Magnetic Lake, Maraboeuf Lake, Moose Lake, Mountain Lake, North Lake, Little North Lake, Pigeon River, Pine River, Rat Lake, Rose Lake, Rove Lake, Saganaga Lake, South Lake, and Watap Lake.

Koochiching and Lake of the Woods Counties: Rainy River.

Koochiching and St. Louis Counties: Rainy Lake (including Black Bay).

Lake County: Basswood Lake (except Jackfish, Pipestone, Hoist, and Back Bays), Basswood River, Birch Lake, Carp Lake, Cypress Lake, Knife Lake (except South Arm), Little Knife Lake, Knife River, Melon Lake,

Seed Lake, Sucker Lake, and Swamp Lake.

Lake and St. Louis Counties: Crooked Lake.

Lake of the Woods and Roseau Counties: Lake of the Woods.

St. Louis County: Bottle Lake, Iron Lake, Lac La Croix, Loon Lake, Loon River to Loon River Falls, Namakan Lake, Sand Point Lake, and Little Vermilion Lake.

Daily and possession limits are the same unless otherwise noted.

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CAN–MN Regulations

• One line per angler is allowed, except two lines may be used when ice fishing.

• Saganaga Narrows, Seagull River, Gull Lake and Cross River from Cook County Road 12 to Gunflint Lake closed to fishing April 1—May 24, 2002.

• Saganaga Falls (Granite River mouth) and the channel between Gunflint and Little North lakes closed to fishing April 1 through May 31, 2002.

• On Saganaga Lake, the winter lake trout season corresponds with lakes outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (see page 14).

• Dressed (filleted) sauger are counted as walleye. See page 26 for packing regs.

• Dark houses, fish houses, and shelters must be removed from the ice by March 31. Anglers may use portable shelters after March 31, but must remove them daily after use.

• While in Minnesota, anglers may not possess more than a Minnesota limit of fish from Minnesota-Canada border waters. Fish from Canadian inland waters may be possessed in Minnesota in excess of the Minnesota limit only if the angler has proof—such as lodging receipts or verification through U.S. Customs—that the fish were taken from inland Canadian waters.

• All other regulations are the same as those listed under Inland Waters (pages 13–17).

• Fish with length limits may not be possessed as fillets on the water while angling.

WISCONSIN–MINNESOTA

The seasons and regulations listed below apply to the following waters: Mississippi River (downstream of Prescott, Wisconsin), Lake Pepin, St. Croix

River (including Lake St. Croix), St. Louis River, St. Louis Bay, and Superior Bay. Daily and possession limits are the same. Licensing: See page 45.

continued on next page

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All species not listed above are covered by the inland regulations of the state where taken.

WI–MN Regulations

• Two lines with a single lure or bait on each are permitted. If fishing with one line you may use two baits.

• Fish hooked in any part of the body except the mouth must be returned to the water immediately.

• Tip-ups must be within 400 feet of the angler.

• Rough fish may be taken by spearing, archery, and dip-netting during daylight hours from May 4, 2002 through March 1, 2003. Dip net hoops cannot exceed 24 inches in diameter.

• Spearing game fish is prohibited. It is unlawful to have a spear on or adjacent to any body of water where the spearing season is closed.

• Fish houses or shelters must be removed no later than March 1. Portable shelters may be used after March 1, but must be removed daily after use.

• Possessing or transporting white perch, ruffe, round goby, or alewife is

illegal. (See Harmful Exotic Species, pages 54–57.)

• It is illegal to cull fish that have been reduced to possession.

• No fishing allowed within 300 feet below Mississippi River Lock and Dam 3 (near Red Wing) and Lock and Dam 4 (Alma, WI) from March 1-April 30.

IOWA–MINNESOTA

The seasons and regulations listed below apply to the following

waters: Jackson County: Little Spirit Lake. Jackson and Nobles Counties: Iowa Lake. Martin County: Okamanpeedan (Tuttle), Iowa, and Swag Lakes. Daily and possession limits are the same. Licensing—See page 45.

All species not listed above are covered by the inland regulations of the state where taken.

IA–MN Regulations

• Anglers may use up to two lines with two hooks per line.

• Setlines, trotlines, or unattended lines are unlawful.

• Spearing or archery may be used to take carp, buffalo, sheepshead, dogfish, gar, or quillback from sunrise to sunset May 1, 2002 through February 15, 2003.

• Spearing game fish is unlawful.

• Fish houses must comply with the licensing and identification requirements of the state for which the angler is licensed.

• Fish houses or shelters must be removed from the ice no later than February 20. Anglers may use portable shelters after that date, but must remove them daily.

SOUTH DAKOTA–MINNESOTA

The seasons and regulations listed below apply to the following waters:

Big Stone County: Big Stone Lake.

Lincoln County: Hendricks Lake.

Traverse County: Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, and Mustinka River from the mouth to the MN State Highway 117 bridge.

Daily and possession limits are the same.

Licensing—See page 45.

SPECIES OPEN SEASON POSSESSION LIMIT

WALLEYE Apr. 27, 2002-6 and SAUGER Feb. 28, 2003 (either or combined) Exception: Big Stone Lake 6 (Minimum size 14".)

NORTHERN Apr. 27, 2002-6 PIKE Feb. 28, 2003

LARGEMOUTH Apr. 27, 2002-6 and SMALLMOUTH Feb. 28, 2003 BASS (either or combined)

CRAPPIE Continuous 30

SUNFISH Continuous 30 and BLUEGILL (either or combined)

ROCK BASS Continuous 20

BULLHEAD Continuous 100

PERCH Continuous 25

CATFISH Continuous 5 (Only 1 over 24".)

STURGEON No Open Season

continued on next page

All species not listed above are covered by the inland regulations of the state where taken.

SD–MN Regulations

• Anglers may use two lines with up to three hooks per line.

• Setlines, trotlines, or unattended lines are unlawful.

• Anglers may possess only one limit of fish.

• Unprotected fish, except white bass, may be taken by spearing or archery from sunrise to sunset from April 27 to December 1.

• It is unlawful to possess a spear, spring gaff, or bow and arrow on or adjacent to any body of water where the spearing and archery season is closed.

• Spearing from a fish house or dark house is unlawful.

• Spearing game fish is unlawful.

• Fish houses or shelters must be removed from the ice no later than March 5. Anglers may use portable shelters after March 5, but must remove them daily after use.

• Mud Lake in Traverse County is open to liberalized fishing (use of snagging, spears, dip nets and legal minnow seines permitted; maximum of 6 lines; possession limit is three times the normal possession limit) December 1, 2002 through February 28, 2003.

• The following waters in Traverse County are closed to fishing from March 1 to April 26: Mud Lake within 500 feet downstream of Reservation Dam at State Highway 117; and Bois de Sioux River within 500 feet downstream of White Rock Dam at State Highway 236.

• It is illegal to cull fish that have been reduced to possession.

NORTH DAKOTA–MINNESOTA

Seasons and regulations apply to the Bois de Sioux River and the

Red River of the North. Daily and possession limits are the same. Licensing—See page 45. Regulations are the same as those for South Dakota–Minnesota

border waters except for the following:

continued on next page

All species not listed above are covered by the inland regulations of the state where taken.

ND–MN Regulations

• Two lines are permitted, and two hooks are permitted on each line.

• Spearing from a fish house or a dark house is unlawful.

• It is unlawful to possess a spear or bow and arrow on or adjacent to any water body where the spearing and archery season is closed.

• Rough fish, except burbot (eelpout), may be taken by spearing or archery May 1 through December 31.

• When Minnesota’s fishing regulations differ with North Dakota’s, Minnesota residents must comply with the Minnesota regulations and may not exercise more liberal fishing privileges in the waters of the bordering state.

OTHER AQUATIC SPECIES

The following regulations apply to the taking and possession of mussels (clams), crayfish, frogs, minnows, leeches, and turtles for personal or commercial use.

Wild animals may not be taken from infested waters, except for bait for personal use from waters that are designated as infested waters solely because they contain Eurasian watermilfoil, and for commercial use by permit.

Mussels (Clams)

• 25 of Minnesota’s 48 species of mussels are protected under the state’s endangered species law. Whole mussels or parts, including shells, of protected species may not be taken or possessed except with a DNR permit. Do not disturb mussels unless you are able to distinguish between protected and other mussel species.

• Except as note above, any person permitted by law to take fish may take and possess up to 24 whole or 48 shell halves of dead mussels (clams) if the harvesting is done by hand. No live mussels or clams may be harvested or sold.

• The open season for mussel (clam) shell harvest is May 16, 2002 through February 28, 2003.

• The commercial harvest of mussels requires a permit.

• It is illegal to take any live mussel or empty mussel shell from the St. Croix River, which is a unit of the National Park Service.

• Zebra mussels are illegal to possess.

Crayfish

• Licensed anglers and children under 16 may take and possess up to 25 pounds of crayfish for personal use.

• The crayfish season is April 1 through November 30.

• Crayfish cannot be sold as bait.

• Importing live crayfish or eggs is prohibited except with a DNR permit*.

• Crayfish may be used as bait in the body of water where they are captured.

• Crayfish cannot be transferred from one body of water to another except with a DNR permit*.

• The commercial harvest of crayfish requires a DNR permit*.

• A permit is needed to sell crayfish for aquarium use.

Frogs

• Licensed anglers and children under age 16 may take, use, buy, and sell an unlimited number of frogs for bait only from May 16, 2002 to March 31, 2003. The overall maximum length (with legs

* Permit applications are available from the DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

outstretched) of frogs shall not exceed 6 inches.

• A frogging license is required to take frogs for purposes other than bait.

Minnows (Including Leeches)

• Licensed anglers may take minnows or leeches for their own use with dip nets, traps, or seines. However, seines may not be over 25 feet long or more than 148 meshes deep with ^¹⁄^⁴-inch bar measure, or more than 197 meshes deep with ^³⁄^¹⁶-inch bar measure. For traps, width and length may not exceed 30 inches, height may not exceed 15 inches, the diameter or width of the opening may not exceed 1^¹⁄^²inches, and mesh size may not exceed ^¹⁄^²inch bar measure. Traps must have a waterproof tag bearing the name and address of the owner.

• Minnows or leeches may not be taken from designated trout waters except with a DNR permit.

• Live carp may not be transported or used as bait.

• DNR commercial licenses are required in order to sell minnows, either wholesale or retail, or to possess more than 24 dozen minnows.

• Only licensed minnow exporters may export minnows.

• Game fish (including perch and sunfish of any size) or parts of game fish may not be used for bait.

• Minnows taken from infested waters (see page 56) may only be used for fishing at the body of water where taken.

_{_☞}• It is illegal to bring live minnows into Minnesota without a permit and to use imported live minnows for bait in Minnesota waters.

Turtles

• Licensed anglers and children under 16 may take, possess, and transport turtles for personal use.

• Turtles may not be sold or bought for resale without a turtle license. Retail customers do not need a license.

• Turtles may be taken by angling, bow and arrow, spearing, turtle hooks, and hand.

• The snapping turtle possession limit is 3. Minimum size limit is 10" measured side to side across the shell at midpoint. Snapping turtles may not be taken during May and June.

• Blanding’s turtles and wood turtles are threatened species and may not be taken or possessed except with a DNR permit.

OTHER INFORMATION

For a complete summary of the boating regulations, contact the DNR Information Center for a copy of the Minnesota Boating Guide, or find it on the DNR web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us under Boat and Water Safety. For rules pertaining to the use of motorboats within Wildlife Management Areas, refer to the Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook or call DNR Information Center (see page 66).

• All watercraft, including canoes, must be registered (licensed) in Minnesota or the state of residence, even if that state does not require canoe registration.

• All watercraft, regardless of length, needs to carry, and have readily accessible, one U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved wearable (Type I, II, III or V) life preserver (PFD) for each person on board. In addition, boats 16 feet or longer (except canoes and kayaks) must carry at least one USCG approved Type IV throwable device (seat cushion or ring buoy) for the boat.

• Navigation lights are required from sunset to sunrise. (Remember to keep your white stern (back) light on while still fishing or at anchor. This light must be visible for 360 degrees around the boat and may not be blocked from view).

• USCG approved fire extinguishers are required on boats with enclosed fuel or engine compartments.

• Persons 12-17 years of age are required to have a DNR watercraft operator’s permit to operate a boat of more than 25 horsepower, unless someone at least 21 is on board in reach of the controls.

• You are required to report a boating accident to the county sheriff if there is an injury, death or damage over $500.

Boating Safety Tips

• Boating while intoxicated is not only illegal, it’s dangerous. About half of all fatal boating accidents are alcohol-related.

• Most boating deaths occur when a person falls out of or capsizes a small boat. Wear your life jacket: It’s the most important thing you can do to increase your survival time in cold water and save your life.

DNR Fisheries acquires land along lakes and streams to provide fishing opportunities and to protect critical fish habitat. These areas, known as Aquatic Management Areas (AMAs), are posted with signs to

indicate allowable uses. Each sign is marked with a letter to easily identify permitted activities:

G General Use AMAs: Permitted activities include angling, non-motorized travel, wildlife observation, hunting, and trapping. R Restricted Use AMAs: Permitted uses include angling, nonmotorized travel, and wildlife observation. E Easement AMAs: Only angling is allowed unless otherwise indicated.

The following uses are prohibited except where specifically designated:

• No motorized vehicles.

• No campfires or overnight camping or parking of vehicle, trailer, or boat.

• No destruction, disturbance, or removal of plants, trees, other vegetative material, signs, posts, fences, gates, buildings, or other property (except that edible fruits, seeds and mushrooms may be removed for personal use).

• No target, trap, skeet, or indiscriminate shooting.

• No construction of a building, dock, fence, billboard, sign, or other structure (except that portable stands are permitted if they are removed after legal shooting hours).

• No livestock, horses, or other domestic animals (except dogs controlled by the owner).

• No disposal of garbage, trash, spoil, sludge, rocks, vehicles, carcasses, or other debris.

Improved fishing technology and increasing fishing pressure have

caused fishing quality to decline in many waters. Catch-and-release

fishing offers anglers a way to enjoy their sport with less harm to the

resource. Each year, more anglers discover the satisfaction of watching

a fish they’ve caught swim away. Here are some tips for proper catch-

and-release: • Don’t place fish you plan to release on a stringer or in a livewell, because they have less chance of surviving. Make the decision to release a fish when you catch it.

• Play and land the fish quickly. A prolonged struggle places too much stress on a fish and causes a build-up of harmful lactic acids.

• Handle the fish gently and keep it in the water as much as possible. If possible, unhook the fish without lifting it from the water.

• When lifting fish for a photograph or just to admire it, don’t hold it by the eye sockets or gills. You can damage the internal organs of fish, especially larger ones, by lifting them from the water. Use both hands to evenly support the fish’s weight.

• Use a pliers to remove hooks. continued on next page

• If a hook is deeply imbedded, cut the line. Fish have strong digestive acids which will dissolve metal. Studies have shown that fish released in this manner have a higher survival rate than do fish that have had hooks torn from their throat or stomach.

• A fish that can be legally kept should not be released if it is bleeding heavily, which indicates its chance of survival is poor.

• You cannot intentionally fish for any species during its closed season.

• In streams, release fish into calm water. A tired fish placed in fast water can die by tumbling downstream into rocks.

• Gently slide the fish back into the water.

☞

The DNR Division of Fisheries is responsible for managing the state’s diverse fisheries resources. Each year, roughly 2 million people fish in Minnesota, and sport fishing generates approximately $1.9 billion in direct expenditures, making angling one of the state’s largest industries.

The Resource

• Minnesota has 11,482 lakes 10 acres or larger, of which about 5,400 are fishing lakes. Excluding Lake Superior, the state has 3.8 million acres of fishing water. Minnesota’s portion of Lake Superior is 1.4 million acres.

• There are 15,000 miles of fishable streams in Minnesota, including 2,600 miles of trout streams.

The Division of Fisheries

• The DNR Division of Fisheries has a full-time staff of 313. There are 6 regional and 28 area fisheries offices.

• The state operates 17 hatcheries: 5 for trout and salmon and 12 for coolwater species.

• The annual budget for the Division of Fisheries is approximately $27 million, which is funded primarily by fishing license and stamp fees.

• Much of Minnesota’s fisheries program is reimbursed by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program (federal excise tax), administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Management

☞

• Surveys: Fisheries personnel conduct lake, stream, and creel surveys to produce management plans for hundreds of lakes and streams each year. This information is used to protect and improve the state’s fisheries resource.

• Research: Fisheries research is conducted to find new and more efficient ways to manage fisheries.

• Trout habitat: Ongoing habitat improvement and maintenance work is conducted on trout streams that have publicly owned land or easements.

• Fish tagging: As part of research projects, DNR biologists sometimes place small tags in fish. If you catch a tagged fish, please report the date, location, species, and size of the fish you caught, as well as the tag number, to the nearest DNR Fisheries office (see pg. 67–68)

• Liberalized fishing: In late winter, some shallow lakes suffer winterkill. This means the snow and ice were so thick that plants didn’t get enough sunlight and have died, using up oxygen needed by fish when they decompose. When the DNR knows a lake will fully winterkill, it allows temporary liberalized fishing, which means there are no limits on this water. This is intended to prevent unnecessary waste of fish. (See DNR web site for more information.)

• Lake rehabilitation: These projects reclaim waters suffering from habitat degradation and overpopulation of some fish species.

• Spawning habitat improvements: This can enhance naturally reproducing populations of species such as walleye and northerns.

• Stocking: DNR fisheries personnel stock game fish fry and fingerlings in lakes lacking habitat for natural reproduction.

• Fishing piers: These are installed on lakes to provide opportunities for shore fishing.

• Habitat acquisition: The DNR buys lands next to lakes and streams to protect spawning areas and shoreline vegetation, and it increases access to fishing waters.

• Education: Each year, the MinnAqua program teaches beginning anglers, primarily inner city youth, about fishing and aquatic biology.

• Fisheries personnel also monitor and regulate aquaculture, fishing

continued on next page

tournaments, commercial fishing operations, aquatic plant management, and aeration.

_{_☞}Starting in 2002, anglers can qualify to become a Minnesota Master Angler. This new program, cosponsored by G. Loomis Rods, the Minnesota DNR, and the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame, will recognize anglers who catch large fish of various species. Categories include adult, youth, and catch-and-release. Awards for more than 50 fish species include: a pin, a certificate, and a place on the new state Master Angler honor role.

For more information on becoming a Master Angler, visit the web site at: www.minnesotafishinghalloffame.com.

Catching a big fish, no matter what the species, is always a thrill, and it usually requires exceptional fishing skill. To recognize the achievements of anglers who catch the biggest fish in each species, the DNR annually presents an award of recognition to any angler who breaks a state record.

If you catch a fish that you think could be a record, follow these steps:

• Weigh the fish on a state-certified scale (found at most bait shops and butcher shops), witnessed by two observers.

• Take the fish to a DNR fisheries office for positive identification and a state record fish application.

• Complete the application and send it along with a clear, full-length photo of your fish to the address listed on the form.

The following is a complete list of Minnesota’s state record fish and where they were caught. Weights given are in pounds and ounces (example: 55–5 is 55 pounds, 5 ounces). Counties are in parentheses.

Bass, Largemouth: 8–13, Tetonka Lake (LeSueur).
Bass, Rock: 2–0, Osakis Lake (Todd).
Bass, Smallmouth: 8–0, West Battle Lake (Otter Tail).
Bass, White: 4–0, St. Croix River (Washington); and 4–0, Genoa

Barge (Houston). Bluegill: 2–13, Alice Lake (Hubbard). Bowfin: 10–15, Mary Lake (Douglas); and 10–15, French Lake (Rice). Buffalo, Bigmouth: 41–11, Mississippi River (Goodhue). Buffalo, Black: 20–0, Minnesota River (Nicollet). Buffalo, Smallmouth: 13–4, Mississippi River (Ramsey). Bullhead, Black: 3–13, Reno Lake (Pope). Bullhead, Brown: 7–1, Shallow Lake (Itasca). Bullhead, Yellow: 3–10, Osakis Lake (Todd). Burbot: 19–3, Lake of the Woods (Lake of the Woods). Carp: 55–5, Clearwater Lake (Wright).

Carpsucker, River: 3–15, Mississippi River (Ramsey).
Catfish, Channel: 38–0, Mississippi River (Hennepin).
Catfish, Flathead: 70–0, St. Croix River (Washington).
Crappie, Black: 5–0, Vermillion River (Dakota).
Crappie, White: 3–4, Coon Lake (Anoka).
Drum, Freshwater: 35–3, Mississippi River (Winona).
Eel, American: 6–9, St. Croix River (Washington).
Gar, Longnose: 16–12, St. Croix River (Washington).
Gar, Shortnose: 4–10, Mississippi River (Hennepin).
Goldeye: 2–13, Root River (Houston).
Hogsucker, Northern: 1–15, Sunrise River (Chisago).
Mooneye: 1–15, Minnesota River (Redwood).
Muskellunge: 54–0, Lake Winnibigoshish (Itasca).
Muskellunge, Tiger: 34–12, Lake Elmo (Washington).
Perch, Yellow: 3–4, Lake Plantaganette (Hubbard).
Pike, Northern: 45–12, Basswood Lake (Lake).
Pumpkinseed: 1–6, Leech Lake (Cass).
Quillback: 6–14, Mississippi River (Ramsey).
Redhorse, Golden: 2–13, Otter Tail River (Otter Tail).

Redhorse, Greater: 11–13, Upper South Long Lake (Crow Wing).
Redhorse, River: 10–3, Kettle River (Pine).
Redhorse, Shorthead: 7–15, Rum River (Anoka).
Redhorse, Silver: 7–9, Rainy River (Koochiching).
Salmon, Atlantic: 12–13, Baptism River (Lake).
Salmon, Chinook: 33–4, Poplar River (Cook); and

33–4, Lake Superior (St. Louis). Salmon, Coho: 10–7, Lake Superior (Lake). Salmon, Kokanee: 2–15, Caribou Lake (Itasca). Salmon, Pink: 4–8, Cascade River (Cook). Sauger: 6–3, Mississippi River (Goodhue). Splake: 13–6, Larson Lake (Itasca). Sturgeon, Lake: 94–4, Kettle River (Pine). Sturgeon, Shovelnose: 5–5, Mississippi River (Goodhue). Sucker, Blue: 14–3, Mississippi River (Wabasha). Sucker, Longnose: 3–2, Rainy River (Koochiching). Sucker, White: 9–1, Big Fish Lake (Stearns). Sunfish, Green: 1–3, Scheuble Lake (Carver). Sunfish, Hybrid: 1–12, Zumbro River (Olmsted). Trout, Brook: 6–5, Pigeon River (Cook). Trout, Brown: 16–12, Lake Superior (St. Louis). Trout, Lake: 43–8, Lake Superior (Cook). Trout, Rainbow (Steelhead): 17–6, Knife River (Lake). Trout, Tiger: 2–9, Mill Creek (Olmsted). Tullibee (Cisco): 4–5, Lake of the Woods (Lake of the Woods). Walleye: 17–8, Seagull River (Cook). Walleye-Sauger Hybrid: 9–13, Mississippi River (Goodhue). Whitefish, Lake: 12–5, Leech Lake (Cass). Whitefish, Menominee: 2–8, Lake Superior (Cook).

Licenses

DNR License Bureau
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4026
Watercraft Registration: (800) 285-2000
Phone License Sales: (888) 665-4236

General Information/Licensing/Public Access Maps

DNR Information Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040

(651) 296-6157 or (888) 646-6367

Telecommunications for the Deaf (651) 296-5484 or (800) 657-3929TDD

Reporting Fish and Game Violations

Turn In Poachers (TIP) has a statewide, 24-hour toll-free hotline.
Callers may remain anonymous.
(800) 652-9093

Lake Maps

Minnesota Bookstore
117 University Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 297-3000 or (800) 657-3757

Lake Survey Reports and Fisheries Brochures

DNR Fisheries 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4012 (651) 296-3325

DNR Web Site (Including Lake Survey Reports)

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Note: Permits and reservations are not under DNR jurisdiction. This is a national forest wilderness area. For information, contact: Superior National Forest 8901 Grand Avenue Place Duluth, MN 55808 Information (218) 626-4300 Reservations (877) 550-6777 www.bwcaw.org

Information on and Reporting Harmful Exotic Species

(651) 296-2835 or (888) 646-6367

DNR FISHERIES OFFICES (651) 296-5484 or (800) 657-3929 TDD

NORTHWEST REGION 1

2115 Birchmont Beach Road N.E. Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 755-3959

Baudette Area Office

204 Main Street E. Baudette, MN 56623 (218) 634-2522

Bemidji Area Office

2114 Bemidji Avenue Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 755-2974

Detroit Lakes Area Office

14583 Cnty. Hwy.19 Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 (218) 847-1579

Fergus Falls Area Office

1221 Fir Avenue East Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (218) 739-7576

Glenwood Area Office

23070 N. Lakeshore Drive Glenwood, MN 56334 (320) 634-4573

Park Rapids Area Office

301 S. Grove Avenue Park Rapids, MN 56470 (218) 732-4153

Walker Area Office

07316 State 371 NW Walker, MN 56484 (218) 547-1683

NORTHEAST REGION 2

1201 East Highway 2 Grand Rapids, MN 55744 (218) 327-4414

Grand Rapids

Area Office 1201 E. Highway 2 Grand Rapids, MN 55744 (218) 327-4430

Duluth and Lake Superior Area Office

5351 North Shore Drive Duluth, MN 55804 (218) 525-0853

Tower Area Office

650 Highway 169 Tower, MN 55790 (218) 753-2580 ext. 221

Grand Marais Area Office

P.O. Box 146
Grand Marais, MN 55604
(218) 387-3056

International Falls

Area Office 392 E. Hwy. 11 Intl. Falls, MN 56649 (218) 286-5220

Finland Area Office

P.O. Box 546
Finland, MN 55603
(218) 353-7591

CENTRAL REGION 3

1601 Minnesota Drive
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 828-2624

Aitkin Area Office

P.O. Box 138
1200 Minnesota Ave. S.
Aitkin, MN 56431-0138
(218) 927-3751

Brainerd Area Office

1601 Minnesota Drive
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 828-2550

Hinckley Area Office

P.O. Box 398
306 Power Ave. No.
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-7721

Little Falls Area Office

16543 Haven Road
Little Falls, MN 56345
(320) 616-2450

Montrose Area Office

7372 State Hwy. 25 S.W.
Montrose, MN 55363
(763) 675-3301

SOUTHWEST REGION 4

261 Hwy. 15 S.
New Ulm, MN 56073 -8915
(507) 359-6000

Hutchinson Area Office

20596 Hwy. 7
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 234-2550

Ortonville Area Office

410 Pine St.
Ortonville, MN 56278
(320) 839-2656

Spicer Area Office

P.O. Box 457
Spicer, MN 56288
(320) 796-2161

Waterville Area Office

P.O. Box 86
50317 Fish Hatchery Rd.
Waterville, MN 56096
(507) 362-4223

Windom Area Office

175 Co. Rd. 26
Windom, MN 56101-1868
(507) 831-2919

SOUTHEAST REGION 5

2300 Silver Creek Rd. N.E.
Rochester, MN 55906
(507) 285-7427

Lake City Area Office

1801 South Oak St.
Lake City, MN 55041
1-(651) 345-3365

Lanesboro Area Office

Route 2, Box 85
Lanesboro, MN 55949
(507) 467-2442

METRO REGION 6

1200 Warner Road
St. Paul, MN 55106
(651) 772-7950

Metro East

1200 Warner Road
St. Paul, MN 55106
(651) 772-7950

Metro West

9925 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, MN
55344-3526
(952) 826-6771

• This table is provided primarily for trout and salmon anglers who need to know the sunrise and sunset times on the waters they fish.

• Times shown are Central Daylight Saving Time beginning April 7, 2002 through October 26, 2002. Central Standard Time for all other dates.

• The times in the table below are for the longitudinal line running north and south through Minneapolis/St. Paul. To use the table to find the sunrise or sunset hours on the water you fish, locate the water on the map at right and add or subtract the minutes shown above the map to the time in the table.

Example: Whitewater State Park is in the “Subtract 8 Minutes” time zone. Therefore, sunrise there on June 10 will be 5:18 a.m. (5:26 minus 8 minutes).

^{^Add}Subtract

Minutes to add or subtract from tables below.

*In tables below

°°

97 9695_{_°}94° 93° 92° 91° 90°

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Additions to synopsis

Regulation changes that might be implemented

TRESPASS

MINNESOTA’S TRESPASS LAW

2. What is recreational use?

3. What waters are open to recreational use?

docks.

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FISHING LICENSES

Lifetime license fees

SEASONS AND LIMITS FOR INLAND WATERS

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SEASONS AND LIMITS FOR
LAKE SUPERIOR AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

FISH IDENTIFICATION

TRANSPORTATION, SHIPMENT, AND STORAGE OF FISH

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS

ROUGH FISH SPEARING ARCHERY, AND DIP NETS

FISH HOUSE OR DARK HOUSE

DARK HOUSE SPEARING

BORDER WATERS

OTHER AQUATIC SPECIES

OTHER INFORMATION

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“We’re out
to improve
your fishing”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THIS PAGE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

Additions to synopsis

Regulation changes that might be implemented

TRESPASS

MINNESOTA’S TRESPASS LAW

2. What is recreational use?

3. What waters are open to recreational use?

docks.

THIS PAGE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

FISHING LICENSES

Lifetime license fees

SEASONS AND LIMITS FOR INLAND WATERS

THIS PAGE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

SEASONS AND LIMITS FOR LAKE SUPERIOR AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

FISH IDENTIFICATION

TRANSPORTATION, SHIPMENT, AND STORAGE OF FISH

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS

ROUGH FISH SPEARING ARCHERY, AND DIP NETS

FISH HOUSE OR DARK HOUSE

DARK HOUSE SPEARING

BORDER WATERS

OTHER AQUATIC SPECIES

OTHER INFORMATION

THIS PAGE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK•

“We’re out to improveyour fishing”

SEASONS AND LIMITS FOR
LAKE SUPERIOR AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

“We’re out
to improve
your fishing”