Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 158 - Natural Resources Department
Chapter 6260 - COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS
COMMERCIAL FISHING ON INLAND WATERS
Part 6260.2000 - COMMERCIAL FISHING ON INLAND WATERS

Subpart 1. [Repealed, 20 SR 2287]

Subp. 2. Assignment of fishing areas.

Licensees will be assigned an inland commercial fishing area at the time the license is issued. When it is determined that the issuance of a class B or C permit is desirable for waters which are included within the boundaries of an existing licensee's specified fishing area, that licensee will be given the first opportunity to apply for the permit, and will be considered before other applicants. When it is determined that the issuance of a contract is desirable for waters which are included within the boundaries of an existing licensee's specified fishing area, that licensee must be given first opportunity to apply for the contract, and must be considered before other applicants.

Subp. 3. Use of seines.

The mesh in the seine bag and first 150 feet of each side of the bag used in inland waters may not be larger than three inches, stretch measure. The balance of the seine may not be of mesh size larger than five inches, stretch measure. There is no limit on the depth of the seine measured perpendicularly from cork line to lead line or in the twine size or strength.

Subp. 4. Use of hoop nets.

Center leads of hoop nets used in inland waters may not exceed 25 feet in length and hoops may not exceed four feet in diameter. The webbing for the entire net may not exceed 2-3/4 inches, stretch measure, or be of twine size less than 18 gauge or 150 pound strength.

Subp. 5. Use of crib nets.

Crib net design for inland waters is at the discretion of the operator, except that mesh size in cribs may not be larger than 2-3/4 inches, stretch measure for cribbing of bullheads and three inches stretch measure for cribbing of other rough fish species, or be of twine size smaller than 18 gauge or 150 pound strength. Wooden cribs must be constructed so that the sides and bottoms have no openings larger than 1-1/4 inches for bullheads and 1-1/2 inches for other rough fish species.

Subp. 6. Restrictions on seines and hoop nets.

Seines and hoop nets used in inland commercial fishing operations must be of a design which will allow the release of nontarget species unharmed.

Subp. 7. Marking of hoop nets.

A tag having a minimum size of 2-1/2 inches by five-eighths inch and permanently bearing the name and residence address of the operator must be attached to the top side of the end hoop and near the top of a hoop net stake of hoop nets used in inland waters. Hoop net stakes must also be marked with an orange or yellow flag, at least one foot square, the upper end of which extends at least three feet above the surface of the water or ice. Hoop nets that are set in open water with anchors must be marked with white buoys of at least one gallon displacement bearing the name and residence of the operator in contrasting color.

Subp. 8. Marking of seines.

A tag having a minimum size of 2-1/2 inches by five-eighths inch and permanently bearing the name and residence address of the operator must be placed near the first float on one end of the float line of seines used in inland waters.

Subp. 9. Lifting of hoop nets.

Hoop nets must be checked not less than two times in each seven-day period during open water fishing in inland waters and not less than one time in each seven-day period when fishing under ice.

All commercial fish removal operations must be conducted during daylight hours, when feasible. The area fisheries supervisor must be notified immediately in the instance of an exception.

Subp. 10. Removal of gear.

All commercial fishing gear and equipment must be removed from inland waters at the time a license, permit, or contract becomes void. Hoop nets must be removed from the water during the period between freeze-up in the fall and ice-out in the spring.