2009 Minnesota Statutes

97C.345 RESTRICTIONS ON USE AND POSSESSION OF NETS AND SPEARS.

Subdivision 1.Period when use prohibited.

Except as specifically authorized, a person may not take fish from the third Monday in February to April 30 with a spear, fish trap, net, dip net, seine, or other device capable of taking fish.

Subd. 2.Possession.

(a) Except as specifically authorized, a person may not possess a spear, fish trap, net, dip net, seine, or other device capable of taking fish on or near any waters. Possession includes personal possession and in a vehicle.

(b) A person may possess spears, dip nets, and spear guns allowed under section 97C.381 on or near waters between sunrise and sunset from May 1 to the last Sunday in February, or as otherwise prescribed by the commissioner.

Subd. 3.Dip nets.

A person may possess and use a dip net between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset from May 1 to the third Sunday in February.

Subd. 4.Exceptions.

Subdivisions 1 to 3 do not apply to:

(1) nets used to take rainbow smelt during the open season;

(2) nets used to land game fish taken by angling;

(3) seines or traps used for the taking of minnows for bait;

(4) nets, seines, or traps possessed and used under an aquatic farm license; and

(5) angling equipment.

Subd. 5.Rules.

The commissioner may adopt rules to regulate the use of nets to take fish.

History:

1986 c 386 art 3 s 31; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 52,53; 1992 c 566 s 20; 1993 c 231 s 57,58; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 36-38; 2005 c 146 s 45; 2009 c 176 art 2 s 57