Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 158 - Natural Resources Department
Chapter 6259 - CRAYFISH
Part 6259.1000 - PERMIT CONDITIONS FOR COMMERCIAL CRAYFISH OPERATIONS

Subpart 1. Permit duration.

A permit is not valid for more than one season and may be issued for shorter periods of time at the discretion of the commissioner.

Subp. 2. Permit revocation.

The commissioner may revoke any permit upon determination that revocation is necessary for protection of natural resources.

Subp. 3. Variance of harvest operations.

Any variance from permit conditions requires a written amendment which must be attached to and become part of the permit.

Subp. 4. Importation of crayfish.

The importation of live crayfish or crayfish eggs into the state is prohibited except by written permit from the commissioner. Permits to import live crayfish for processing may only be issued provided no live crayfish are allowed to exit the processing facility. The commissioner may issue a permit to import live crayfish for aquarium sales for species that cannot survive in Minnesota if accidentally released.

Subp. 5. Required records.

Permit holders must keep records of all crayfish sales transactions. Records must be verifiable with supporting sales slips and include the number or weight of all species of crayfish acquired by taking or purchase and sold, name and address of buyer, and date of each transaction. Records must be kept current within 48 hours. Failure to keep complete and current records may result in immediate revocation of the permit and may render the permit holder ineligible for future permits.

Subp. 6. Commercial sale, purchase, and transportation of crayfish.

Crayfish legally harvested may be bought, sold, and transported for food purposes and as processed bait only, except as otherwise provided by part 6260.2900 and this part.

Crayfish must be kept separated from live fish when being transported within the state.

Subp. 7. Exportation of crayfish.

Crayfish legally possessed may be exported for any purpose.

Subp. 8. Notification of harvest operations.

The permit holder must inform the area fisheries office at least 24 hours in advance of the start of harvest operations for each water body.

Subp. 9. Responsibility for harvest activities.

The permit holder must be in personal attendance at harvest operations and is responsible for all harvest activities. All members of the crew must be listed on the permit.

Subp. 10. Identification of harvest sites.

Crayfish harvest sites will be identified to the area fisheries office by name and legal description or, if available, the Division of Waters inventory number.

Subp. 11. Permits to rear and hold crayfish.

The commissioner may issue a permit to rear or hold crayfish of the species Orconectes virilis and Orconectes immunis for any waters, including waters that are not isolated from other waters.