Whitefish, cisco netting opens Nov. 24 on Bear Island and Ojibway

[Lee Borgersen]

11/19/2010 11:06 AM
 
Whitefish, cisco netting opens Nov. 24 on Bear Island and Ojibway
Bear Island Lake and Ojibway Lake will be open to whitefish and cisco sport netting from Nov. 24 to Dec. 26, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Minimum gill net mesh size shall be no less than 1 3/4-inch net stretch measure. Net stretch measure means the interior distance between opposite knots or corners of a single mesh of net, taken between the thumb and forefinger and applying enough pressure laterally to allow the opposite sides of the mesh to touch.

Opening dates for netting are determined based on fish abundance, climatic conditions and vulnerability of game fish.

Fishing regulations require:

• Nets may be set after sunrise on the opening day and must be removed before sunset on the closing day.

• A whitefish netting license is required.

• A person may use only one gill net, not exceeding 100 feet in length and 3 feet in width.

• One end of the gill net must have a pole, stake, or buoy projecting at least two feet above the surface of the water or ice.

• Gill net must have an identification tag attached near the first float of the end with the pole, stake, or buoy.

• Identification tag must be a minimum of 2-1/2 inches by 5/8 inch, permanently bearing the name and address of the owner.

• Gill nets may not be set after sunset or raised before sunrise.

• Gill net must be set and lifted by the licensee only and must be tended at least once every 24 hours.

• A gill net or any part of a gill net may not be set in any water deeper than six feet, measured from the lake bottom to the top surface of the water or ice.

• A gill net may not be set within 50 feet of another gill net.

The whitefish and ciscoes sport gill netting regulations can be found on the DNR website.