Minnesota · statute · Minn. Stat. ch. 97C · 83 active provisions
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 w…
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, fam…
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 limits effective on January 1,…
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 q…
A person may only take fish from a designated trout stream during the open season for trout in the stream.
(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 the commissioner as a private fish…
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 fish endange…
The commissioner may take native rough fish, common carp, and rainbow smelt with seines, nets, and other devices. The commissioner may hire or contract persons, or issue permits, to take the fish. The commissioner shall prescribe the manner of taking and disposal. The commissioner may award a contract under this sectio…
The commissioner may enter into agreements with North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, relating to the removal of common carp and native rough fish in boundary waters. The agreements may include: (1) contracting to remove common carp and native rough fish; (2) inspection of the work; (3) the division of proce…
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 of riparia…
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.
A person may not use a motorboat to drag an anchor or other weight through aquatic vegetation, except by commissioner's rule.
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 violation is a public nuisa…
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.
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 upon order of the commissioner.
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 lake, may erect and maintain screens at the inlets…
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 contest if: (1)…
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.
Subdivision 1. Registration. If the commissioner determines it is necessary to require that a species of fish be registered, the commissioner shall prescribe, by rule, the species to be registered, registration procedures, and endorsement eligibility requirements. Subd. 2. Application for endorsement. Application for a…
The commissioner and state agencies may only stock fish in waters where there is public access. The commissioner may stock fish in any stream within privately owned lands where the public is granted free access to and use of the stream for fishing purposes.
(a) The commissioner, in conjunction with the commissioners of health, agriculture, and the Pollution Control Agency, must test the source water at the state fish hatcheries located in the cities of Altura, Lanesboro, and Peterson monthly for nitrates and pesticides, including neonicotinoids. By February 15 each year,…
(a) The commissioner shall dispose of fish hatchery products or exchange fish or wildlife resources only after they have been tested for certifiable diseases. The testing must have been completed within the 12 months preceding the disposal or exchange. Fish or wildlife resources subject to an exchange must have receive…
(a) Except on the water body where taken, a person may not transport a live fish in a quantity of water sufficient to keep the fish alive, unless the fish: (1) is being transported under an aquaculture license as authorized under sections 17.4985 and 17.4986; (2) is being transported for a fishing contest weigh-in unde…
Subdivision 1. License required. A person may not operate a private fish hatchery without a private fish hatchery license. A private fish hatchery is a facility for raising fish, including minnows, for sale, stocking waters, angling, or processing. A private fish hatchery license is valid for five years but must be ren…
The commissioner may issue a special permit, without a fee, to an authorized agent of the United States to conduct fish culture operations, rescue work, and related fishery operations.