Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to amend existing game and fish statutes to provide a continuous open season for certain fish species, specifically largemouth and smallmouth bass, in the state of Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• The bill proposes changes to the Minnesota Statutes in Section 97C.395, which deals with the open seasons for angling.
• The primary change is to allow continuous fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. This means these species could be fished year-round without seasonal restrictions.
• Other species included in the continuous open season are sunfish, white crappie, black crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, rock bass, white bass, yellow bass, burbot, cisco, tullibee, lake whitefish, common carp, and native rough fish.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, largemouth and smallmouth bass had specific open seasons, typically starting the Saturday two weeks before Memorial Day and ending the last Sunday in February.
• The amendment will remove these timing restrictions for bass, allowing anglers to fish for them throughout the entire year.

Relevant Terms

• Continuous Open Season
• Largemouth Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
• Angling
• Game and Fish Regulations