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HF2824 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Continuous open season for taking largemouth and smallmouth bass provided.

Related bill: SF3031

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to modify the fishing regulations in Minnesota, specifically focusing on the open seasons for angling different fish species. It aims to establish a continuous open season for certain fish, allowing anglers to fish for them year-round.

Main Provisions

  • The bill proposes a continuous open season for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. This means anglers can fish for these species at any time of the year without seasonal restrictions.
  • Other fish species such as sunfish, white crappie, black crappie, yellow perch, and several others will also have a continuous open season.
  • For other fish species like walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, and several types of trout, the open season remains as it currently is, from two weeks before Memorial Day through the last Sunday in February.
  • The bill maintains the commissioner's authority to close fishing seasons in areas where fish are spawning to protect the resources.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Under current law, certain fish species have specified open and close seasons. The amendment to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97C.395, changes this for largemouth and smallmouth bass, introducing a continuous open season.
  • This change represents a significant shift towards more flexible fishing regulations for certain species, aiming to increase recreational opportunities for anglers throughout the year.

Relevant Terms

largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, continuous open season, sunfish, crappie, fishing regulations, angling, Minnesota statutes.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 25, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toEnvironment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the open seasons for angling for various fish species under section 97C.395.",
      "modified": [
        "Amends the open season dates for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97C.395",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This is a reference to existing provisions about exceptions for trout fishing seasons under section 97C.415.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "97C.415",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]

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