Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Some fishing regulations to change on Dec. 10

Minnesota anglers should be aware of changes in fishing regulations when new rules are published Dec. 10 in the State Register, according the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Rule changes include:

ICE FISHING MEAL PREPARATION

While on or fishing waters with size restrictions, all fish for which the size restriction applies must have their heads, tails, fins and skin intact and be measurable except when a person is preparing and using such fish for a meal.

TAKE A KID ICE FISHING

Anglers older than 16 do not need a license from Feb. 16-18, 2008, if they are accompanied by a child younger than 16 and are actively participating in Take A Kid Ice Fishing Weekend.

MUSKIE SEASON

Muskie season will close on Dec. 15, 2007. The 2008 season will begin on Saturday, June 7, 2008, and close on Monday, Dec. 1, 2008.

PACKED FISH LABELING

When packing fish, labels identifying the fish must include the name of the lake where the fish was caught and the size of each of the fish that are regulated under a special size limit.

NIGHT BOWFISHING

Taking fish via archery at night will be allowed from June 1, 2008, to Aug. 31, 2008, on selected lakes. Some special provisions for barbed arrows and noise level restrictions will apply.

CANADIAN-MINNESOTA BORDER WATERS NORTHERN PIKE LIMIT

The bag limit for northern pike caught in Canadian-Minnesota border waters now is three fish with only one of those fish longer than 30 inches.

WINTER TROUT FISHING

All lakes in Aitkin County and Blue Lake in Hubbard County are open to winter trout fishing.

ZEBULON PIKE RESERVOIR

This 10-acre portion of the Mississippi River near Little Falls is closed to fishing.

MADTOM/STONECAT HARVEST

A permit is required to harvest madtoms or stonecats in Dodge, Freeborn and Mower counties.

WHITEFISH/CISCOE NETTING

Changes in regulations open Devils Track Lake (Cook County) and Elbow (St. Louis County) and remove Upper Red Lake (Beltrami County), Reilley Lake (O’Reilly; Itasca County), Burgen (Douglas County), East and West Fox (Crow Wing County), Island (Itasca County), Little Jessie (Itasca County), Latoka (Douglas County), Mitchell (Crow Wing County), Nisswa (Crow Wing County), Osakis (Douglas and Todd County), Roy (Cass and Crow Wing County), Serpent (Crow Wing County) and Victoria lakes (Douglas County).

A complete list of regulation changes and additional details will be available on the DNR Web site at www.mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing.