Comments on bullheads as bait due April 1

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Comments on bullheads as bait due April 1
(Released March 11, 2010)


The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking for public comment on a proposed rule that would allow anglers to use bullheads up to 10 inches long as live bait. The fish could not be transported north of Minnesota Highway 210, to prevent non-native bullhead populations from establishing themselves in any more northern Minnesota lakes.

Current law allows anglers to use bullheads up to seven inches long as bait. Those fish can be captured from non-infested waters via dip net, angling or non-commercial seine and transported anywhere in Minnesota.

An additional change would allow live transportation and possession of white suckers 12 inches and longer for up to 96 hours. Those possessing and transporting the fish would be required to purchase them from a licensed commercial vendor and retain a receipt showing the date and time of purchase.

These proposed changes would not affect commercial bait dealers.

Public comments on the proposed rule, including requests for public hearings, will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, by Linda Erickson-Eastwood, Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4020. Comments may be faxed to 651-297-4916 or e-mailed to linda.erickson-eastwood@state.mn.us. TTY users may call the DNR at 651-296-5484 or 800-657-3929.

The DNR may adopt the rule without a public hearing if it receives fewer than 25 public hearing requests by the deadline. If a public hearing is necessary, it will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, in the sixth-floor conference room at the DNR Headquarters, 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul.

Find out if a public hearing will be held by contacting Erickson-Eastwood after Thursday, April 1, and before Tuesday, April 13.