1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; modifying seasons and limits for certain game fish;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 97C.001, subdivision 3; 97C.005, 
1.4 	subdivision 3; 97C.395, subdivision 1; 97C.401, subdivision 2.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.001, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subd. 3.Seasons, limits, and other requirements. Except for size limits on 
1.8 	walleye, the commissioner may, in accordance with the procedures in subdivision 2 or by 
1.9 	rule under chapter 14, establish open seasons, limits, methods, and other requirements for 
1.10 	taking fish on experimental waters.

1.11 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.005, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.12 		Subd. 3.Seasons, limits, and other rules. Except for size limits on walleye, the 
1.13 	commissioner may, in accordance with the procedures in subdivision 2, paragraphs (c) 
1.14 	and (e), or by rule under chapter 14, establish open seasons, limits, methods, and other 
1.15 	requirements for taking fish on special management waters.

1.16 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.395, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.17 		Subdivision 1.Dates for certain species. (a) The open seasons to take fish by 
1.18 	angling are as follows:
1.19 	(1) for walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, and 
1.20 	smallmouth bass, the Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend
1.21 	nearest May 8 to the last Sunday in February;
1.22 	(2) for lake trout, from January 1 to October 31;
2.1 	(3) for brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and splake, between January 1 to 
2.2 	October 31 as prescribed by the commissioner by rule except as provided in section 
2.3 	97C.415, subdivision 2; and
2.4 	(4) for salmon, as prescribed by the commissioner by rule.
2.5 	(b) The commissioner shall close the season in areas of the state where fish are 
2.6 	spawning and closing the season will protect the resource. The commissioner shall not 
2.7 	close additional areas of the state or areas for additional time periods beyond those that 
2.8 	were closed during the 2007 season.

2.9 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.401, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
2.10 		Subd. 2.Walleye; northern pike. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person 
2.11 	may take no more than one walleye larger than 20 inches and one northern pike larger 
2.12 	than 30 inches daily.
2.13 	(b) All walleye taken and in possession must be at least 14 inches. Walleye that are 
2.14 	less than 14 inches must be immediately unhooked and returned to the water.
2.15 	(c) During the first seven days of the open season prescribed in section 97C.395, 
2.16 	subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), a person may not take and possess a walleye over 
2.17 	19 inches from waters of the state that are partially or wholly north of U.S. Highway 2.
2.18 	(b) (d) The restrictions in paragraph (a) this section do not apply to boundary waters.