Interesting and informative reading material is available to anyone who buys a 2017 Minnesota fishing license. It’s contained in a paperback booklet of 100 pages in length, titled "Minnesota Fishing Regulations." And it’s a lot more than fishing info.
It’s prepared, produced, and distributed by the Department of Natural Resources, or, the agency of government we call the DNR.
I’m probably like many, or maybe even most anglers who annually purchase a license, but then fail to pick up and read the free book of current regulations. "After all," we might say, "I fish every year. I know the laws."
Well, it might come as a surprise to learn that you are unaware of many regulations beyond matters of daily bag and possession limits for the species you catch.
Regulations booklets are offered to license purchasers at the many outlets where they are sold. If you’ve already purchased your license, but didn’t take the free regs book, do so. You’ll likely learn that you’ve been outside the law.
I plead guilty myself. Already this year I’ve violated Minnesota regulations regarding the giving away and receiving fish caught. I recently read the rules, and hadn’t any idea what conditions governed the exchange process.
From page 32 of Regulations – "If you have kept a fish and want to transfer it as a gift, it must be accompanied by a receipt that must remain with the gift. The person receiving the gift can’t possess more than the statewide limit including your gift. The receipt must contain all of the following information:
■ Name and address of the owner
■ Name and address of the recipient
■ Date of transfer
■ Description of the gift
■ License number (DNR number or transaction number) under which the fish was taken."
Wow! And, of course, there’s more. The cynic might say, "Never a giver nor a receiver be!"
We could poke fun at the conditions for giving and receiving fish in Minnesota, but it’s a smaller aspect of a broad enforcement concern regarding the use of sport fish and their packaging, cleaning, possession and transport.
For example, on page 33 we find: "If you are transporting muskellunge, catfish, splake or brook, brown and rainbow trout, you must transport them with the head and tail intact so the fish can be measured."
Fish management issues produce regulations for species wherein various legally kept fish must be longer than a given minimum length, and sometimes also under a maximum length. Obviously, such matters require more than a sample fillet to determine length. Identification of species might also require a patch of skin be left on fillets to identify species. "General" and "special" regulations are contained in the booklet, as well as identification of waters with "experimental" regulations.
Abundant water resources
We Minnesotans are blessed with abundant water resources. And, we share waters with Canada (Manitoba, Ontario) to the north, Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the south, and North and South Dakota to the west. In each instance there are interstate (border) concerns with the other states, and international concerns with Canada. A section of the regulations outlines "Border Waters" issues.
Minnesota leads the nation in per capita ownership of watercraft. And, we travel. A great portion of those watercraft are carried from lake to lake on trailers. Regulations contains requirements of boat owners and detailed instructions for preventing transport of "aquatic invasive species" (plant and animal) from one resource to another. As with all other regulations concerns, offices and contact information are included to assist boaters and anglers for additional information and help.
We boast the enviable location of Annandale with the slogan, "Heart of the Lakes." In fact, Wright County is a jurisdiction of 716 square miles in area containing 298 named lakes. That results in enormous responsibility.
Remember, too, we border the granddad of rivers – the Mississippi, which is fed by countless streams and rivers draining into that great river’s watershed. We assume great responsibilities as a result of our physical interconnectedness. Our waste flows to the Gulf of Mexico. The DNR helps protect our waters. So, "Minnesota Fishing Regulations" booklet is much more than "fishing."
However, if you’re looking for a record fish, relevant information is contained in the regulations booklet. And, a list of "state record fish programs" and state record fish taken is given.
Clearwater Lake produced what was once the world record common carp, but still the state record carp listed at 55 pounds, five ounces. That fish was caught by Frank Ledwein on July 10, 1952. It is still listed in the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame record book as a line-class world record, although a 57- pound, 13-ounce common carp was caught in the District of Columbia Tidal Basin in 1983, which is the "all tackle" world record.
Wright County, however, does have another state record. The state record white crappie, a hefty three-pound, 15-ounce beauty, was caught just north of Buffalo in Lake Constance.
Fish and wildlife, waters and woods, are abundant and offer pleasure and career opportunities. Mosquitoes and ticks notwithstanding, Minnesota is a remarkable and wonderful state. Be good to her!
Clayton Diskerud, Buffalo, formerly of Lake Augusta, is an emeritus professor of social science and criminal justice (for which he was program director.) He has taught at the University of Minnesota and Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He is a regular contributor to the Advocate.