Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 27, December 30, 2024
Subpart 1.
Posting of aquatic
management areas.
The commissioner shall designate restricted use and general use
aquatic management areas by posting signs at access points.
Subp. 2.
Permitted activities for
restricted use and general use aquatic management areas.
The following activities are permitted in restricted use and
general use aquatic management areas:
A. angling;
B. nonmotorized travel;
C. wildlife observation; and
D. other uses that are consistent with
Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05,
subdivision 14, unless prohibited by posting signs or by subpart 5.
Subp. 3.
Permitted
activities for general use aquatic management areas.
In addition to the permitted activities specified in subpart 2,
hunting and trapping are permitted on general use aquatic management areas. The
commissioner shall determine if an aquatic management area can be designated as
general use based on the location and size of the area, the proximity of
residences or livestock, and any other factors that relate to the compatibility
of hunting and trapping in the area.
Subp. 4.
Easement aquatic management
areas.
Angler access is permitted on easement aquatic management
areas. Other prohibited and permitted activities are described in easement
rights purchased from the landowner. Activities other than angling are
permitted only when identified on signs posted at access points.
Subp. 5.
Prohibited
activities on restricted and general use aquatic management areas.
The activities in items A to K are prohibited on restricted and
general use aquatic management areas except as noted.
A. A person may not operate a motorized
vehicle except on roads, trails, and parking areas that are designated by
sign.
B. A person may not leave a
vehicle, trailer, boat, or tent overnight except by permit or in areas
designated by signs for overnight use. A vehicle, trailer, or tent lawfully
left overnight must be occupied.
C.
A person may not build a fire except in a designated area.
D. A person may not destroy, disturb, or
remove plants, trees, or other vegetative material, or signs, posts, fences,
gates, buildings, or other property, except that edible fruits, seeds, and
mushrooms may be removed for personal use.
E. A person may not engage in target, trap,
skeet, or indiscriminate shooting except under permit by the
commissioner.
F. A person may not
construct or maintain a building, dock, fence, billboard, sign, or other
structure within an aquatic management area.
G. A person may not construct, occupy, or use
an elevated scaffold or stand to watch for or take wild animals, except that
portable stands may be used on general use aquatic management areas if they do
no permanent damage to vegetation. Portable stands must be removed each day at
the close of legal shooting hours.
H. A person may not allow livestock, horses,
or other domestic animals to enter a restricted or general use aquatic
management area except:
(1) under permit by
the commissioner; or
(2) dogs
accompanied by or under control of the owner. Dogs must be on a leash from
April 16 through July 14.
I. A person may not dispose of garbage,
trash, spoil, sludge, rocks, vehicles, carcasses, or other debris, or abandon
or store property.
J. For purposes
of this item, "aircraft" means a device used or designed for navigating or
flying in the air, including unmanned and remote-controlled devices. It is
unlawful for a person to land, launch, or operate an aircraft on lands and
waters within the boundaries of an aquatic management area, except:
(1) as authorized by special permit issued by
the fisheries manager;
(2) when
conducting rescue and medical evacuation operations; or
(3) when conducting or assisting in official
business of the United States, the state, or the county in which the aquatic
management area is located.
K. A person may not engage in any other
activity that is prohibited by the commissioner when notice of the prohibition
is posted by the commissioner at access points. The commissioner may prohibit
activities that are inconsistent with Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision
14.
Subp. 6.
Department operations excluded.
This part does not apply to persons lawfully engaged in the
performance of their duties in the management and administration of aquatic
management areas, including agents of the commissioner, persons operating under
permit or contract with the Department of Natural Resources, and law
enforcement officers.
