Three-line fishing in Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers allowed.
Summary
HF2661 amends Minnesota’s game and fish law to allow anglers to use up to three fishing lines in the Mississippi River and the St. Croix River. Under current law, anglers generally may use only one line, with limited exceptions for ice fishing, certain Lake Superior areas authorized by rule, and two-line fishing in specified stretches of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. This bill adds a new exception for three lines on the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers.
The practical effect is to expand fishing opportunities on two major border and inland waterways, likely making fishing more flexible for recreational anglers in those river systems. The bill does not change licensing, seasons, species limits, or other conservation rules; it specifically adjusts the number of lines an angler may use in those waters by amending Minnesota Statutes, section 97C.315, subdivision 1.
Impact
The bill directly amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97C.315, subdivision 1, by creating a new statutory exception to the general one-line rule. It would authorize three lines in the Mississippi River and the St. Croix River, while leaving existing two-line allowances for ice fishing, Lake Superior by rule, the Minnesota River downstream of Granite Falls Dam, and the Mississippi River downstream of St. Anthony Falls in place. The affected parties are anglers and enforcement officials responsible for applying fishing-line limits on these waters.
Sentiment
The available context suggests a straightforward, likely favorable proposal with no recorded opposition in the provided materials. The bill was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy, and there are no committee transcripts or votes indicating controversy. The caption and text frame the measure as a targeted fishing-rule change rather than a broader regulatory overhaul.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. If debate were to arise, it would most likely center on whether allowing three lines could increase fishing efficiency, affect fish populations, or complicate enforcement, versus the convenience and recreational benefit to anglers. However, no legislators, agencies, or stakeholder groups are identified in the record here as opposing or supporting those concerns.