Fishing Contest regulations

Permanent rule package
Fish Rules
Relating to rules governing fishing contest regulation matters. Taking comments until August 24, 2012 at 4:30 pm

Rulemaking documents

UPDATE
Commissioner Landwehr signed the order adopting these rules on December 12, 2012, and the rules were filed with the Secretary of State on December 19, 2012. The Notice of Adoption (including some technical changes approved by the administrative law judge) is scheduled for publication in the State Register on February 19, 2013. The rules will take effect on February 26, 2013.

 

Agency contact person

Linda Erickson-Eastwood
Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road, Box 20
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-4020
Email: linda.erickson-eastwood@state.mn.us
Telephone: (651) 259-5206 or 1-888-MINNDNR

This rule package began as a directive from former DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam to provide tournament organizers a clear set of rules that would be used when issuing fishing contest permits.  Historically, fisheries managers have used a combination of existing rule language (see MR 6212.2400 to 6212.2800) and policy developed over time to address various parts of contest operations through our  permit conditions.  The proposed set of contest rules combines existing rule language with new language for contest organizers and fisheries managers to consider when working on contests.   Some tournament organizers have taken part in meetings and discussions that set the initial steps to write the new rules.  The following changes may be of greatest interest to your organization. Note:  The line verbiage is in reference to those sections of the rule language that can be found by clicking on the above link.

  • Organizes existing rule language with new language that details conditions that may be used to deny contest permits (lines 2.7 to 2.16).
  • Lists new language that provides the criteria used to establish permit conditions (lines 2.17 to 4.3).
  • Restricts contests using live release formats when targeting sturgeon, muskie, or trout and salmon (lines 4.13 to 4.20)
  • Limits live release contests targeting walleye during summer (lines 4.14 to 5.5). This would formalize a restriction that has been a policy since the 1990’s.
  • Limits contests using off-site weigh-in formats (lines 4.4 to 4.12; lines 5.6 to 5.20). This rule would formalize several restrictions on species, seasons, and the numbers of fish allowed for contests using live release, off-site weigh-in formats.
  • Grants permit holders the authority to possess, transport and distribute contest fish to nonprofit or charitable organizations (lines 6.17 to 7.21).  This rule would streamline the gifting process for contest organizers.
  • Restricts contest use of state-owned access site by limiting use of parking spaces (lines 7.22 to 8.4).  This would formalize a restriction that has been a policy but would also allow for a parking plan that could allow for more than 50% of parking spaces to be used.