97C.001 EXPERIMENTAL WATERS. Subdivision 1. Definition; designation. (a) Experimental waters are lakes and streams where special regulations are used and evaluated to meet a specific fisheries objective. (b) The commissioner may designate any waters of the state having free access to the public as experimental waters. The designated experimental waters may not exceed 200 lakes […]
97C.005 SPECIAL MANAGEMENT WATERS. Subdivision 1. Definition; designation. (a) Special management waters are waters that: (1) have been subject to special regulations that have been evaluated and proven effective under an experimental waters designation under section 97C.001; or (2) are classified by the commissioner for primary use as trophy lakes, family fishing lakes, designated trout […]
97C.007 NORTHERN PIKE EXPERIMENTAL AND SPECIAL MANAGEMENT WATERS. The combined number of lakes designated for northern pike under sections 97C.001 and 97C.005 may not exceed 100 at one time. Until November 1, 2021, the designated lakes must be selected from the lakes identified in rules adopted under sections 97C.001 and 97C.005 with northern pike slot […]
97C.02 ACQUIRING CRITICAL AQUATIC HABITAT. The commissioner shall acquire lands that are critical for fish and other aquatic life and that meet criteria described for aquatic management areas in section 86A.05, subdivision 14. The lands that are acquired may be developed to manage lakes, rivers, streams, and adjacent wetlands and lands for aquatic life, water […]
97C.021 ANGLING RESTRICTED IN TROUT STREAMS. A person may only take fish from a designated trout stream during the open season for trout in the stream. History: 1986 c 386 art 3 s 5
97C.025 FISHING AND MOTORBOATS RESTRICTED IN CERTAIN AREAS. (a) The commissioner may prohibit or restrict the taking of fish or the operation of motorboats by posting waters that: (1) are designated as spawning beds or fish preserves; (2) are being used by the commissioner for fisheries research or management activities; or (3) are licensed by […]
97C.035 ENDANGERED FISH POPULATIONS. Subdivision 1. Conditions. If the commissioner determines that fish are in danger of dying, or if waters will be restored with the use of piscicides, the commissioner may rescue the fish under subdivision 2 or allow taking of the fish under subdivision 3. Subd. 2. Rescuing fish. If the commissioner rescues […]
97C.041 COMMISSIONER MAY REMOVE ROUGH FISH AND CATFISH. The commissioner may take rough fish, lake whitefish, and rainbow smelt with seines, nets, and other devices. The commissioner may also take catfish with seines, nets, and other devices on the Minnesota-Wisconsin boundary waters. The commissioner may hire or contract persons, or issue permits, to take the […]
97C.045 REMOVING ROUGH FISH FROM BOUNDARY WATERS. The commissioner may enter into agreements with North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, relating to the removal of rough fish in boundary waters. The agreements may include: (1) contracting to remove rough fish; (2) inspection of the work; (3) the division of proceeds; and (4) regulating the […]
97C.051 SPECIAL PERMITS TO USE PISCICIDES. Subdivision 1. Permit. (a) The commissioner may issue a special permit, without a fee, to apply piscicides to restore waters at the permittee’s expense. The commissioner may by rule prescribe insurance requirements for permit applicants. (b) A permit under this section may be issued to an individual, a group […]
97C.055 REMOVING DEAD FISH. The commissioner shall remove and dispose of dead fish that accumulate in or upon the shores of public waters in quantities that are a public nuisance or are detrimental to game fish. History: 1986 c 386 art 3 s 12
97C.061 DRAGGING WEIGHT OR ANCHOR THROUGH VEGETATION. A person may not use a motorboat to drag an anchor or other weight through aquatic vegetation, except by commissioner’s rule. History: 1986 c 386 art 3 s 13; 1991 c 259 s 23
97C.065 POLLUTANTS IN WATERS. A person may not dispose of any substance in state waters, or allow any substance to enter state waters, in quantities that injure or are detrimental to the propagation of wild animals or taint the flesh of wild animals. Each day of violation is a separate offense. An occurring or continuous […]
97C.071 STRUCTURES IN PUBLIC WATERS. A person may not construct or maintain a dam or other obstruction, except a boat pier, in or over public waters without a permit from the commissioner. The commissioner may establish permit conditions for the construction or modification of a fishway around or over a dam or obstruction. History: 1986 […]
97C.075 FISH SCREENS IN FLOWING WATERS. A person may not obstruct a creek, stream, or river to prevent the passage of fish with a rack or screen without the permission of the commissioner. The person that erected the obstruction, or the owner of the land where the obstruction is located, must immediately remove the obstruction […]
97C.077 FISH SCREENS IN LAKES. Subdivision 1. Lake in single county. If all or a major part of a navigable lake is located within a single county and has been stocked with fish by the United States government, the county board, in order to maintain fish in the lake and prevent their escape from the […]
97C.081 FISHING CONTESTS. Subdivision 1. Restrictions. A person may not conduct a fishing contest on waters except as provided in this section. Subd. 2. [Repealed, 1Sp2011 c 2 art 5 s 70] Subd. 3. Contests requiring permit. (a) Unless subdivision 3a applies, a person must have a permit from the commissioner to conduct a fishing […]
97C.085 PERMIT REQUIRED FOR TAGGING FISH. A person may not tag or otherwise mark a live fish for identification without a permit from the commissioner, except for special fish management tags as authorized under section 97A.551. History: 1993 c 231 s 52; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 114
97C.087 SPECIAL FISH MANAGEMENT TAGS. Subdivision 1. Tags to be issued. If the commissioner determines it is necessary to require that a species of fish be tagged with a special fish management tag, the commissioner shall prescribe, by rule, the species to be tagged, tagging procedures, and eligibility requirements. Subd. 2. Application for tag. Application […]
