Multiple Lines in MN

[Dave in Mpls]

I just received this e-mail from Rep Al Juhnke regarding Bill HF 242 which would allow multiple lines in Minnesota. Thought I would pass it along. Anybody want to step up to the plate?

Regards


Greetings....You contacted me during the past few weeks regarding my bill (HF 242) that would allow for two fishing lines in Minnesota. Testimony on this bill, as well as HF 241 that deals with fish house licenses, will be heard in committee this week.

If there is anyone who would like to testify, or if you know of someone well versed on this issue, now is your chance. Whether for or against the two line initiative, your collective voices need to be heard. If you yourself want to speak, or if you know of someone who could best represent the fishing community in Minnesota on this, please have them call my office. This may be your only shot this year. My office # is (651)296-6206.

Thanks.

-Rep. Al Juhnke

[Oops]

Not sure why this didn't make it with my initial post....



Hearing information:

Date - Feb. 22nd (Thursday)

Time - 10:15 - Noon

Place - Room 10, State Office Building, St. Paul

Committee - Environment & Natural Resources (Rep. Ozment, Chair)

[Hans]

I received the same email.

My response was:

Hello Senator,

I have been an avid fisherman in Minnesota and other states
for over 50 years.

I am writing to express my OPPOSITION to HF242.

I am OPPOSED to HF242 because:

1) Many of our prime fishing waters, especially in and near the metropolitan area already (with just a single line allowed) are overfished. Some species (panfish are an excellent example) are targeted by large numbers of anglers, including children new to the sport, such that some shorelines and "hot spots" on our lakes are already crowded to capacity, and vulnerable fish populations are depleted to a fraction of normal levels.

Effectively DOUBLING the fishing pressure in these areas flies in the face of all reasonable conservation tenets, and would severely diminish the fishing experience for all anglers.

2) Doubling the allowed number of lines in the water encourages the practice of "meat fishing". In one nearby state where I lived, they had a 2-line-per-angler law, and a "children under 16 fish free" law. These laws were abused by anglers who would load the family pontoon with a half-dozen neighborhood kids (who had no interest in fishing) and a couple of adults. With 8 persons aboard they'd be allowed 16 lines in the water, but in reality only the two adults were fishing. (This practice can also be practiced in a "single-line" environment, but it only half as attractive, and not nearly as common.)

3) Even discounting 1 & 2 above, this bill would serve to instantly DOUBLE the amount of legal fishing pressure on our lakes, rivers, and ponds. It is just a bad idea.

Respectfully,

Hans

[Not A Meat Hunter]

Doubling the number of lines does not double pressure. If you were allowed a limit for each rod, that would double the pressure.

[GullGuide]

Hey Hans,
Why don't you go and testify for the MNDNR? I'm sure they are looking for anglers who are in opposition. Just a thought.
>"////=<

[Hans]

I'd love to, but unfortunately I will be in Texas on business on Thursday.

Hans

[GullGuide]

Exactly.
A limit is a limit. If they are biting that well, one rod would suffice, but there are many times that 2 lines would come in handy, trolling open water would be one of them. We are one of the only state that's still in the dark ages regarding this issue.
A question for all of you who are against this....
What is the difference, since we use 2 lines in the winter? Do you only use one line through the ice since you believe it increases the pressure? I highly doubt it! Let's make the rules uniform...one line in the summer AS WELL AS one line in the winter...or 2 lines for both seasons....you make the choice.
>"////=<

[Hans]

OK, I choose one line per angler, regardless of fishing method.

Hans

--
"I long for the dear old lakeshore, where I dreamed my youth away;
for a dreamer lives forever, and a toiler dies in a day.
From the sleepless thoughts endeavor, I would go where the children play;
For a dreamer lives forever, And a thinker dies in a day."

[BigPointer53]

I am opposed for the same reasons Hans is. We don't need anymore dead walleyes floating around in millelacs in August.

[Dave in Mpls]

Just curious why you think multiple lines would lead to more floaters. Quite honestly, other than trolling on Mille Lacs, I wouldn't have been able to fish more than one rod on the Lake last year. Just too busy reeling in fish. The floaters primarily came from people taking fish off the deep edges of the flats, giving the fish 40' of line, playing the fish for 10 minutes, butchering the fish to get that $0.25 hook back, then holding the ##### thing out of the water for 5 minutes while Jr. was fumbling around for the camera.

[QUESTION]

Why do you want two lines in the summer? I can see the reason in the winter when mobility is a major problem.....you have to drill a hole to move your line......but Could you please give a good reason for additional lines in the summer.

[Box]

I'd guess simply because you could locate fish faster. And catch more fish, possibly.

Myself, I'd like two lines in MN. I like the action when fishing the St. Croix or Mississippi when trolling with 4 or 6 lines (2 or 3 people, respectively). We still have not taken a limit of fish home while doing that or fishing with single lines, so I guess I don't really see the problem. Most anglers these days who are really catching a ton of fish are most likely returning most of them to the lake anyway.

I think the people who take too many fish will do it whether they use one or two lines, or three or four...

However many lines is legal, thats what I'll use. No real big deal...

Box
MN

[GullGuide]

I just don't understand the opposition to this one. I've talked to a lot of people from states that have 2,3,6 or unlimited line regulations. Every single one of them says it really does not make any difference. As for some of the posts from people concerned with Joe Schmoe taking out a dozen naighborhood kids on a pontoon to catch sunnies....I think that would be great!! Yes, some of the kids would have no interest in fishing before they got on that pontoon, but I'll gaurentee you that they will be hooked on fishing after they get off of it. Also, can you immagine one guy tring to handle 14 lines at once for panfish? I would love to see it and make a video....might win an award somwhere for the comedy. I have a hard enough time as it is with 3 clints in the boat, baiting their lines and taking off fish during a panfish trip and can't even wet a line myself....immagine adding a dozen more lines to the equation....impossible.
I think many of your fears are just that...fears and nothing else, maybe it's a fear of change...getting away from the familliar.
I really hope this bill passes, not because I would be able to put out 8 lines in my boat while guiding, I don't think I ever would, just asking for a tangled mess, but because I would love to go out and expieriment with new techniques and lures while at the same time being able to compare with old ones.
If you are worried about the fishery, get active in legislation for penalties for violations, because people who will abuse two lines will certainly do so with one.
>"////=<

[Fin Addict]

MN limits are predicated on very few anglers ever actually reaching them. In a time where we are considering reduced limits, slot limits and other special regs to protect the fish from more and more intense pressure, why would we want to allow multiple lines and add more pressure to the fish. Multiple lines make it easier to find patterns and double your odds in many presentations. Slip bobber fishing on Mille Lacs would be enough better that we would be looking at either very tight slots, greatly reduced limits or shortened seasons if multiple lines were allowed. Single line throughout most of the state has worked for a long time, I would prefer to leave it alone. If the DNR thought we would all catch a limit every time out, limits would certainly be much lower. Limits are designed to protect the fish when the bite is really on which as we all know, is not all the time.

[Dan]

Speaking from the viewpoint of the non-residents angler, it is my belief that the passing of the bill would increase state revenue without putting additional pressure on the resource. My preferred presentation would be trolling crankbaits with 2 rods. For this reason when planning a trip, ND/SD receive the nod long before MN. As far as the additional pressure on the resource, a limit is a limit and I have DNR documentation stating the MN walleye population is very healthy. As the previous post stated, current limit enforcement will do more towards protecting the resource that the defeating of HR242. ND & SD have allowed 2 rods for a considerably long period of time and the fishing remains some of the best, not to mention the fact that the season for walleye remains open 12 months a year. 2 lines in the winter, but not in the summer? Would someone explain that to me…..

[james_walleye]

It is legal to fish 2 lines on the Mississippi here in MN and i very rarely fish both lines. It surely wont double fishing pressure and surely wont double the take. If a guy on the water is catching fish...hes going to get his share whether its 1 or 2 lines. And the 90% of the fisherman that catch 10% of the fish will still only catch 10% of the fish.

[ufda]

Well said James. I've posted on this subject before, but guess I will do it again. Here in AZ we have 2 lines allowed, but the second one costs you a $4 stamp on your fishing license - a good revenue producer. And I wouldn't worry about overfishing. 80% of the time my wife and I find the second line a nuisance so only fish one. And as you so succintly stated and if I may paraphrase, 90% of the fishermen don't know where to put the first line, so putting a second one there also isn't going to hurt the fish population.
IMNSHO
ufda

[CJW]

Indiana lets you have 3 lines out. Even if the fish are biting very well, it only seems to come on one line. So as to getting a limit, it very rarely happens because of the number of lines out. The fishing pressure down here is no different than MN. I have fished both states. Didn't know that MN had a one pole limit when we first fished Mille Lacs. But dragging a lindy and casting another didn't help at all, still only caught one fish on the line I was holding not the dead stick. So making it an advantage is pure ####. Taking more fish out, I don't think so!! You still have limits. If the gill fishing is being hurt then put a limit out there. But gills can sustain a big hit on them. They will spawn 2 to 4 times in a year. Just my 2 cents from a state that has more than 2 lines out. Craig

[CJW]

Indiana lets you have 3 lines out. Even if the fish are biting very well, it only seems to come on one line. So as to getting a limit, it very rarely happens because of the number of lines out. The fishing pressure down here is no different than MN. I have fished both states. Didn't know that MN had a one pole limit when we first fished Mille Lacs. But dragging a lindy and casting another didn't help at all, still only caught one fish on the line I was holding not the dead stick. So making it an advantage is pure ####. Taking more fish out, I don't think so!! You still have limits. If the gill fishing is being hurt then put a limit out there. But gills can sustain a big hit on them. They will spawn 2 to 4 times in a year. Just my 2 cents from a state that has more than 2 lines out. Craig

[Fin Addict]

If additional lines does not help to catch more fish, why would you care whether it was allowed or not?