Hard to believe - it was 72 degrees and sunny here in Minnesota today, it’s mid-May and yet, bass fishing is still out of season and illegal in the “Loon” state. Thankfully the fishing season “Opener” is in 2 days and we’ll finally be able to fish for everything (except muskies for awhile longer). Is any state in the union this restrictive? 

11,000 lakes just sitting there staring at us, and yet the days will start getting shorter in only 38 days and eventually start icing up again in only about 5 1/2 months... 
 

Ok, rant over... will string up the rods tomorrow and move forward ?

Just now, FryDog62 said:

Thankfully the fishing season “Opener” is in 2 days and we’ll finally be able to fish for everything

I won't even get out till Monday - if I'm lucky...don't whine too much, Chris.

It's been brutal to have a new toy in the garage and not being able to use it.  Saturday that changes!

I thought it sucked living in Iowa dealing with ice for several months. Then I hear from you brothers to the north that have ice even longer and on top of that have to wait for the season to open. Then I realize I've been fishing alot already and think maybe Iowa ain't so bad.

PA did have a closed bass season for many years, but they switched to catch and release only during what was the closed season.

Just now, Fallser said:

PA did have a closed bass season for many years, but they switched to catch and release only during what was the closed season.

We're working on it - use to be the walleye and northern guys had a 2-week head start on us bass-heads...they finally opened C&R for bass to coincide with the walleye/northern opener...which is this coming Saturday.

Man, I start to lose it if I go 2 weeks. 

8 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Man, I start to lose it if I go 2 weeks. 

Think of us then, man - 10 weeks between close the end of Feb and open the middle of May.

When is the closed season?  The Spawn?  No fishing during the spawn?

 

 

1 minute ago, Darth-Baiter said:

When is the closed season?  The Spawn?  No fishing during the spawn?

 

 

That's what they tried for - but since the water temp in many lakes is just now hitting spawning temp...it's not quite right. Maxwell Bay in Minnetonka JUST hit 60 yesterday.

31 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Man, I start to lose it if I go 2 weeks. 

I thought I was gonna die when we couldn't fish for 2 weeks when all the lakes iced over. 

 

I feel bad for you Minnesota/Wisconsin guys.

 

1 minute ago, HaydenS said:

I thought I was gonna die when we couldn't fish for 2 weeks when all the lakes iced over. 

 

I feel bad for you Minnesota/Wisconsin guys.

 

Check that, Wisconsin has already been open for catch n release for a couple years now... I know dozens of Minnesotans that have been over there fishing several times already. Meanwhile, we’re just making lefse and tapping trees for syrup here in Minne... 

10 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Meanwhile, we’re just making lefse and tapping trees for syrup here in Minne... 

Don't forget the lutefisk...gotta do something with all those eelpout.

20 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Check that, Wisconsin has already been open for catch n release for a couple years now... I know dozens of Minnesotans that have been over there fishing several times already. Meanwhile, we’re just making lefse and tapping trees for syrup here in Minne... 

My uncle, who lives in Wisconsin told me this.  I'll tell him he can fish for bass, as long as he practices C&R.  Thanks!

Yup, checked it and your right!

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/seasons/bass.html

Just read the online edition of the minneapolis star tribune and BASS catch and release opening for this weekend will be Delayed for 10 more days to give the spawn a chance to start uneffected by anglers disturbing bass moving into the shallows trying to set up. Well back to crappies and sunnies. Oh by the way i am just bull crapping all of us minnesota fishing nuts so relax and enjoy your morning coffee.

Haha. Drinking coffee as I read this.

So , you can’t fish at all? or You have to throw everything back? Or just throw bass back if you “accidentally “ catch one ? 

Because if you fish for other fish you might catch a bass by mistake?

Sorry, but I have no concept of a place where you can’t freshwater fish for part of the year.

 

Well, I guess I do partly understand: We have closed season almost all year for Red Snapper . Everyone ( except the people that “count”) know that red snapper are insanely numerous , and the season needs to at least be extended from TWO days a year...

 

21 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

So , you can’t fish at all? or You have to throw everything back? Or just throw bass back if you “accidentally “ catch one ? 

Because if you fish for other fish you might catch a bass by mistake?

Any bass, northern, muskie, walleye or sauger you catch has to be immediately returned - no measuring, no photo-ops...nada.

Panfish, rough-fish are still legal to catch - all the boats out up to tomorrow are usually targeting crappie.

Accidental catches are fine - but if it's becoming a 'habit' to catch bass and a DNR-EO or County deputy sees it - you'll be asked to change locations to stop catching the non-legal fish.

Yes officer,  these pesky bass keep hitting my 10in worm while I’m trying to catch bluegill.

Just now, Tennessee Boy said:

Yes officer,  these pesky bass keep hitting my 10in worm while I’m trying to catch bluegill.

Ya - that's the sort of thing that can cause you to lose your license for the year as well as a possible fine...they're not dunderheads.

In reality, the season is closed to protect our State Fish, the sacred walleye. They are the least fightin' fish but arguably the best to eat. Their spawn is over by May, but that is why the season is closed until they are done making more future fillets.
 

Meanwhile you can fish sunfish, crappies, etc... but not anything of size like a bass, pike, etc because the lures you throw for those might accidentally catch a walleye too and that could set in motion a domino effect and cause the Vikings lose their 5th Super Bowl you betcha...  

In NY on any body of water that has anything to do with the St Lawrence river, the "rules" say no fisherman is allowed to be targeting bass of any kind until the third Saturday in June. A couple of years ago, the regulations added the wording "this includes catch and release".  

Iowa has taken some of my money this year.  I couldn’t wait to set the hook.  Travelled south a couple times for some green fish!  20 minute drive makes it easy!!

10 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Think of us then, man - 10 weeks between close the end of Feb and open the middle of May.

I shall not think of such Tom foolery! Out of my mind silly thought!!!

2 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

…that could set in motion a domino effect and cause the Vikings lose their 5th Super Bowl you betcha...  

Ummmm. You have to GET to another Super Bowl before you can LOSE another Super Bowl.

 

Uff Da!!!

I don't want to encourage any illegal activity, so I won't. But I could not live there. I would be in jail. Am I right in assuming you can fish private property?