Subdivision 1. Authority to take, possess, buy, and sell. (a) Minnows may be taken, possessed, bought, and sold, subject to the restrictions in this chapter, section 84D.03, subdivision 3, and rules adopted by the commissioner under paragraph (b). A person may not take, possess, or sell minnows except for use as bait or for ornamental or aquacultural purposes.

(b) The commissioner may adopt rules for the taking, possession, purchase, sale, and transportation of minnows.

Subd. 2. Continuous open season. The open season for taking minnows is continuous, except as provided in subdivision 3.

Subd. 3. Closing waters. The commissioner may close any state waters for commercially taking minnows if a survey is conducted and the commissioner determines it is necessary to close the waters to prevent depletion or extinction of the minnows.

Subd. 4. [Repealed, 1Sp1995 c 1 s 48]

Subd. 5. Restrictions on taking from trout waters. A person may not take minnows from designated trout lakes or trout streams without a special permit issued by the commissioner.

Subd. 6. Approved equipment required. A person must use equipment approved by the commissioner to possess or transport minnows for sale. This subdivision does not apply to licensed aquatic farms.

Subd. 7. Interference prohibited. A person may not knowingly damage, disturb, or interfere with legal commercial minnow harvest operations.

Subd. 8. Possession for minnow dealers. When nets and traps are lawfully set and tended, minnows and incidentally taken game fish under four inches in length are not considered to be in possession until the minnows or game fish are placed on a motor vehicle or trailer for transport on land.

History: 1986 c 386 art 3 s 47; 1992 c 566 s 22; 1993 c 231 s 61; 1997 c 226 s 40; 2002 c 270 s 8; 2008 c 307 s 16; 2019 c 50 art 1 s 23