Latest new northern regs...

[Rebel SS]

9:19 AM (2 minutes ago)
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DNR News Release

For Immediate Release:

March 5, 2018

Questions? The DNR Information Center now answers your calls from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday and offers interpreter services. Call 888-646-6367 or email info.dnr@state.mn.us.

New northern pike fishing regulations coming for fishing opener

New regulations for catching and keeping northern pike will be the most significant change anglers will see when they open up the 2018 Minnesota Fishing Regulations Booklet being distributed throughout the state.

“Anyone who wants to keep pike in Minnesota’s inland waters needs to take a close look at these regulations and be prepared to measure the pike they want to keep starting on the Saturday, May 12, fishing opener,” said Al Stevens, fisheries program consultant with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The new fishing regulations have three distinct zones to address the different characteristics of pike populations in Minnesota. While not designed to manage for trophy pike, the new regulations are meant to restore pike populations for better harvest opportunities across the state for sizes that make good table fare, up to around 28 inches or so.

“It’s almost go-time and we’re happy to be at this point after years of discussion on these issues with pike,” Stevens said. “This has been a long-running topic of conversation and is becoming reality in the 2018 fishing season.”

The move toward new regulations was a response to anglers’ concerns about the over-abundance of hammer-handle pike in much of central to north-central Minnesota; the low numbers of pike present in southern waters; and a desire to protect large pike in the northeastern part of the state.

The new pike harvest regulations apply to inland waters of the state.

North-central: Limit of 10 northern pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches; all from 22 to 26 inches must be released.
Northeast: Two pike; anglers must release all from 30 to 40 inches, with only one over 40 inches allowed in possession.
South: Two fish; minimum size 24 inches.
Darkhouse spearing regulations for pike change slightly and those regulations are listed in the spearing section of the regulations booklet.

Meanwhile, the new pike regulations do not affect border waters fishing regulations and special regulations that cover individual lakes, rivers and streams.

For more information on the new zone regulations visit mndnr.gov/pike or contact a local area fisheries office. Contact information can be found in the fishing regulations booklet, available online at mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing.

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[glenn57]

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[Gunner55]

I wasn't really in favor of the new regs as I thought the old ones, keep 9 < 22" & everything 22" & > had to go back, were just making a noticeable difference. It took about 10 years to see much change though & I can see why they changed as there are some who would like to keep a few bigger, > 26", pike. Don't think they will get many of those out of this lake any time soon. It makes it more complicated for those that like to fish pike in different parts of the state IMO.

[Lee Borgersen]

        Hey Glenn!


                                                         
                                               

[glenn57]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bobberineyes]

Spose if your nice all year glenn Santa will bring ya spear with a built in tape measure 

[mike89]

 

[Rebel SS]

HAHHAHAHAHAAAAAA! 

[glenn57]

 

[Rebel SS]

Spose if your nice all year glenn Santa will bring ya spear with a built in tape measure 

Maybe a 3 tine kitchen fork on a handle?  Should be about the right width...

[deadeye]

Very unlikely someone will keep 10 hammer handles.  The rule should be if it comes in your boat and is less than 22 inches, it stays in your boat.

[Bobberineyes]

Right,  So many lakes differ in each zone. Take the one were on for example, years ago you had a good mix of different size pike, now I'll be surprised if there's 10 left in the lake, but we fall in north central zone so it'll be wiped out in no time..

[glenn57]

Right,  So many lakes differ in each zone. Take the one were on for example, years ago you had a good mix of different size pike, now I'll be surprised if there's 10 left in the lake, but we fall in north central zone so it'll be wiped out in no time..

don't you gotta be able to catch them first???? 

[Bobberineyes]

 

[glenn57]

mornin boober!!!!!!!!!!!!!