Northern Pike and other fishing regulations

Permanent rule package

Fish Rules

Relating to rules governing northern pike and other fishing regulation matters. Taking comments until Nov 15, 2012 at 4:30 pm

UPDATE: The DNR proposed rules, including two modificaton have been approved as to legality by the Office of Administrative Hearings. The commissioner signed an Order Adopting Rules on March 25, 2013. The notice of adoption is scheduled for publication in the State Register on April 1 and the rules will be effective April 8, 2013.  

Rulemaking documents:

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 the legislature to limit length based regulations for northern pike that were adopted as special or experimental regulations (Minnesota Rules Chapter 6264).  The proposed set of rules for northern pike move the catch-and –release and reduced bag limit regulations into the inland regulations section (Minnesota Rules Chapter 6262).  These regulations are important components to maintaining the fish communities on these unique northern pike fisheries.  These regulations were moved earlier through an emergency process and this rule making will make it permanent. 

Other changes being proposed for adoption include:

  • Making the definition of electronic devices consistent
  • Dropping regulations that are no longer necessary because they have not shown to assist in the management of the fishery
  • Make Minnesota – South Dakota border water rules regarding liberalized fishing and seasonal closures consistent
  • Technical change that combines regulations for waterbodies all under one subpart so that it is easier to know what the rules are for that waterbody