Preparing to make my yearly trip to ALMA, pool 4. I have a few questions that I have to ask every year, it's terrible when the memory goes...... Anyway, is the no wake zone at Wabasha still in affect? And, do I need a Minnesota license to put in at the Wabasha marina? Thanks for your input.... maybe I will run into some of you on the water...
I can atleast answer one question, you will need either a Minnesota OR Wisconsin fishing liscense to fish this boundry water BUT Minnesota regs work on there side of the river and Wis. regs in play on that side of the river, if that isnt confusing enough...
-------------------- "Goverment is not the answer to peoples problems. Goverment is the problem" Ronald Reagan
The no wake regs are in effect from Memorial to Labor Day so they are off now. No spific requirements to use the launch in Wabasha. FYI, Alma WI is on pool 5.
Can't help with the no wake stuff. Like was already said either Mn or WI license if you fish the river between the railroad tracks. I was told this summer by a WI warden the best thing to do with regs is to follow the most conservative guidelines is they are different between the two sides. I'm not sure what that applies to specifically but I guess it makes sense. Have fun!
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Most of my life has been spent fishing.The rest of it I just wasted. If I'm not fishing, hunting, or ATVing, you can bet I'm wishing I was! Control your kids, not my guns!
Quote: I can atleast answer one question, you will need either a Minnesota OR Wisconsin fishing liscense to fish this boundry water BUT Minnesota regs work on there side of the river and Wis. regs in play on that side of the river, if that isnt confusing enough...
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I always thought you could fish either side of the river regardless of which license you held. (Wisconsin or Minnesota)
That's the way it has always been down in Genoa when people fish off Clements Barge. Why would it be any different by Alma or Wabasha?
Quote: I can atleast answer one question, you will need either a Minnesota OR Wisconsin fishing liscense to fish this boundry water BUT Minnesota regs work on there side of the river and Wis. regs in play on that side of the river, if that isnt confusing enough...
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I always thought you could fish either side of the river regardless of which license you held. (Wisconsin or Minnesota)
That's the way it has always been down in Genoa when people fish off Clements Barge. Why would it be any different by Alma or Wabasha?
Boog
You are correct. I would go with the cheapest non-resident license available.
just remember you need to follow the regulations for the state you are licensed in, if you by a MN non-resident license you have to follow MN regs. if you by a WI non-resident license you have to follow WI regs. you can fish both sides of the river but you have to follow the regs for the state you bought your license.
Quote: just remember you need to follow the regulations for the state you are licensed in, if you by a MN non-resident license you have to follow MN regs. if you by a WI non-resident license you have to follow WI regs.
you can fish both sides of the river but you have to follow the regs for the state you bought your license.
Didn't we have this conversation before? If me, being from MN, bought a WI license...I still cannot use 3 lines, nor can I use sunfish for cats...
My understanding is once you cross the center of the river the regs from that state go into effect in some cases the bag limit might go up or down for instance on panfish depending on were you are fishing. Minnesota DNR patrols there half of the river and will follow there rules etc. I have been checked on the Minnesota side by there guy and he stated as much to me though this was 8 years ago or so...
-------------------- "Goverment is not the answer to peoples problems. Goverment is the problem" Ronald Reagan
Not true. Both sides recognize RR track to RR track. If I am from MN, the laws from MN govern how many lines and what kind of bait I can use. But if you are from Iowa??? I would imagine if then the person would be bound by Iowa rules if your home State does not border WI or MN.
I believe this is why the warden in Alma advised we follow the more conservative laws. His explanation was the center of the channel dictated Minnesota/Wisconsin regulations but because wardens patrol with discretion you have to be able to show beyond a doubt you were not breaking the other sides law. If Minnesota allows 2 lures in the water and Wisconsin 3 you best stick to two.
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Most of my life has been spent fishing.The rest of it I just wasted. If I'm not fishing, hunting, or ATVing, you can bet I'm wishing I was! Control your kids, not my guns!
Like I think I said...reciprocal bordering States like MN and WI that share border waters are different than IA or IL. If you read the regs, it does address border waters. They have to "Share" waters. Iowa (Where the poster is from) would not in this instance. So he would be bound by the laws of the State he buys the license in.
An IA guy fishing pools 4 or 5, would be bound by the rules of the state he buys his license in. Tuck, being from MN, is bound by MN laws on 4 or 5 even if he runs out and buys a non-res WI license. That would be a waste of his money strictly speaking to border water.
I have to disagree. Residents from of other states need either a Wisconsin or Minnesota license but the fisherman is bound by the regulations of the state he is fishing in not by the state that issued the license. So indeed one needs to know what side of the channel they are on. The following is directly from the Wisconsin fishing regulations.
Quote: Regulations on these waters may differ between states. You must obey the regulations of the state in which you are fishing.
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Most of my life has been spent fishing.The rest of it I just wasted. If I'm not fishing, hunting, or ATVing, you can bet I'm wishing I was! Control your kids, not my guns!
Quote: I have to disagree. Residents from of other states need either a Wisconsin or Minnesota license but the fisherman is bound by the regulations of the state he is fishing in not by the state that issued the license. So indeed one needs to know what side of the channel they are on. The following is directly from the Wisconsin fishing regulations.
Quote: Regulations on these waters may differ between states. You must obey the regulations of the state in which you are fishing.
From the MN Regulation Book:
2008 Minnesota Fishing Regulations
Wisconsin–Minnesota
The seasons and regulations listed below apply to the following
waters:
Mississippi River (downstream of Prescott, Wisconsin and all waters
between the Burlington Northern [Wisconsin] and Chicago Milwaukee
[Minnesota] railroad tracks), Lake Pepin, St. Croix River, Lake St. Croix,
St. Louis River, St. Louis Bay, and Superior Bay.
Daily and possession limits are the same.
WISCONSIN–MINNESOTA Regulations
• Two lines with a single lure or bait on each are permitted. If fishing
with one line you may use two baits.
WISCONSIN-MINNESOTA BOUNDARY WATERS Applies to the stretch of the Mississippi River shared by Wisconsin and Minnesota lying between the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroad tracks on the Wisconsin side of the river and the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacifi c railroad tracks on the Minnesota side of the river, including Lake Pepin and Lake St. Croix; the St. Croix River from the Burlington Northern railroad bridge at Prescott north to the point where the river is no longer a boundary between Wisconsin and Minnesota; and the St. Louis River, including St. Louis Bay, Superior Bay, Allouez Bay, Kimballs Bay, Little Pokegama Bay, and Pokegama Bay. FISHING RESTRICTIONS ON WISCONSIN-MINNESOTA BOUNDARY WATERS • Goldfi sh and alewife may not be possessed or used for bait. Live crayfi sh may be used for bait on the Mississippi River ONLY—not on other Wisconsin- Minnesota boundary waters. • It is illegal to fi sh using any method other than hook and line within 200 feet of any fishway, lock or dam on the Mississippi River and within 200 feet of these structures on any other water. • Motor trolling is permitted on Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters. • Wisconsin residents need a Wisconsin fishing license and Minnesota residents need a Minnesota license to fish in these boundary waters. Residents of other states need a nonresident license from Wisconsin or Minnesota. Regulations on these waters may differ between states. You must obey the regulations of the state in which you are fishing. • Fishing is prohibited within 300 feet below the Red Wing Dam and Alma Dam from March 1 through April 30 and within 300 feet below the Onalaska Dam from March 15 through April 25.
So unless I misread it appears you do have to follow the regulations of the state waters your in unless specified otherwise as in the two lure limit? In other words buying a Minnesota license doesn't allow you to follow Minnesota regs on the Wisconsin side of the channel right?
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Most of my life has been spent fishing.The rest of it I just wasted. If I'm not fishing, hunting, or ATVing, you can bet I'm wishing I was! Control your kids, not my guns!
Quote: In other words buying a Minnesota license doesn't allow you to follow Minnesota regs on the Wisconsin side of the channel right?
It means if you posses a MN license, you can fish from the tracks in WI to the tracks in MN using MN regulations.
No worry about which side you are on, or over the "Imaginary Line" on the river.
Are you positive? I'm obviously either missing something or were not reading the same words.
Quote: • Wisconsin residents need a Wisconsin fishing license and Minnesota residents need a Minnesota license to fish in these boundary waters. Residents of other states need a nonresident license from Wisconsin or Minnesota. Regulations on these waters may differ between states. You must obey the regulations of the state in which you are fishing.
To me that reads you must obey the state regulations of the state you are currently in not that issued the license. Surly it sounds exactly as the way it was described to me from a DNR warden in Alma this July. If it is true that I can fish the Minnesota side following Wisconsin regulations it sure isn't described as such in the above paragraph. Unless I'm completely missing something?
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Most of my life has been spent fishing.The rest of it I just wasted. If I'm not fishing, hunting, or ATVing, you can bet I'm wishing I was! Control your kids, not my guns!
Why would you be able to fish both sides of the River, track to track (As acknowledged by both States.) if you didn't have to follow the rules of the State issuing you the license as it pertains to Border Waters?
And again, why would you...holding an MN license think you should be following the WI regs?
Right now I can STAND on shore in Prescott WI with a MN license and fish without a WI license. And I am bound by MN laws. Meaning I cannot use 3 lines, or sunfish for bait. But my buddy, standing next to me from WI, and licensed in WI can stand next to me and do it. He can also stand on the MN shoreline and do the same. As long as they are within the Boundary Water limits.
Quote: And again, why would you...holding an MN license think you should be following the WI regs?
Because of these words...
Quote: Regulations on these waters may differ between states. You must obey the regulations of the state in which you are fishing.
Am I incorrect in seeing them print "the state" in which you are fishing? I understand and will accept that I may well be wrong. But I'm questioning this because your explanation does not match what is printed in the regulations. I fully intend to call the DNR and ask because this came up, as I said, in Alma over July 4th and when we asked it was explained to us exactly as I see it in print. Still doesn't mean it is clear cut so I'd like to hear it explained by the DNR again.
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Most of my life has been spent fishing.The rest of it I just wasted. If I'm not fishing, hunting, or ATVing, you can bet I'm wishing I was! Control your kids, not my guns!
I don't think anyone is questioning that concept coyote223. The issue at hand is what regulations do you follow, those from the state that issued you the license or those of the state your are currently fishing in. But thanks anyway.
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Most of my life has been spent fishing.The rest of it I just wasted. If I'm not fishing, hunting, or ATVing, you can bet I'm wishing I was! Control your kids, not my guns!
Tuck, why the sarcasm? As far as I know we're simply trying to figure out the actual meaning of the printed regulations.
Anyhow I just got off the phone with the DNR Call Center Staff. I spoke with a lady named Ann and asked the question of what regulations I'd follow if fishing in the Mississippi River, in Alma. She explained that I'd need to follow the regulations of the sate waters I am in currently. I asked if it matters who issued the license and she said no. I asked how to determine what side of the river I'm on and she said I'd need to contact the Coast Guard for the exact line but that it may also be found by searching google.
So there it is. I assume that is why I was told in July to follow the more conservative when it comes to varying regulations because there can be a gray area as to where exactly a person is on the river. Thankfully there are not many regulations that differ in this specific boundary area.
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Most of my life has been spent fishing.The rest of it I just wasted. If I'm not fishing, hunting, or ATVing, you can bet I'm wishing I was! Control your kids, not my guns!
Reality check...maybe. There is no "Middle of the River" where Boundary Waters Regulations are concerned. We asked this question a while back regarding catfishing. When you see the regulations of both States saying you can fish RR to RR...and you follow the rules and regs of the State you are fishing from. If you are from MN...MN regs...If you are from WI...WI regs. It isn't that difficult for me to understand.
The boundaries noted are done so to eliminate this kind of confusion.
Show me one reference in either State's laws where they reference the main channel regarding the regulations.
Rat; to clarify, you are obligated to follow the regulations from which the state you PURCHASE your license from. Meaning if you are from Kansas and you are fishing Mn/Wi border waters. If you buy your license from Wi, you MUST follow Wi border water laws per their regulation. If you buy your license from Mn, you MUST follow MN border water laws per their regulation.
If you are a resident of either state (Mn or Wi), then you must follow the regulations of your home of records or "residence".
There is no gray in this area. It is truly black/white.
This interpretation applys to all other 48 states if you are fishing MN/WI border waters.
Since I'm from MN and I choose to fish WI/Ia border waters, then I must follow the regulations from the state which I purchase that license from.
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Well good luck believing there is no gray area. I was on the DNRs live chat since 8am (In between customers at work) and have been told that as a Dakota resident I must purchase a Minnesota AND Wisconsin license to fish both sides of the channel. I was then referred to page 60 and 61 of the WDNR fishing regulation handbook, the very pages Tuck pasted above. She assured me it will explain how to find the center of the channel, of course it does not. I explained that those pages say that as a non resident I need a Mn or Wi license and not both and that the channel is not described at all. She then said she does not know how to answer the question and referred me to contact Robert Jumbeck or Brian Becka in hopes they can explain the regulations.
Tuck you asked for an excerpt where the regs talk about the imaginary line. Well the closest is what I quoted from the regs above. At the same time I'd be curious to see where it states two guys fishing in the same boat with two different state licenses have to follow two different sets of regulations. That seems rather suspect too, lol.
I'd be happy to show the actual chat log if anyone is interested in it. A person can see easily where even the DNR doesn't seem to know their own regulations.
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Most of my life has been spent fishing.The rest of it I just wasted. If I'm not fishing, hunting, or ATVing, you can bet I'm wishing I was! Control your kids, not my guns!
And I spent a chunk of the morning talking to a game warden frm MN. My head hurts...
It appears there is a "Lot of latitude given to wardens of both States for Border Water enforcement" meaning he didn't want to put his own head on the line.
He did say that both States have a lot of work to do over laws and regulation clarification pertaining to border waters. He is going to check with some others and see what their interpretation is. That is where the "Reality check" comes in...No one can agree what is "Real".
Well in the meantime let's have a cold one and discuss fishing. I think so long as we're careful to follow the rules to the best of our ability and theirs to explain them we'll be just fine.
P.S. My head hurts too, lol.
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Most of my life has been spent fishing.The rest of it I just wasted. If I'm not fishing, hunting, or ATVing, you can bet I'm wishing I was! Control your kids, not my guns!
I don't mean to hijack this thread...but we did go down this road before regarding catfishing...and now we are receiving contradicting information. Even Staff behind the scenes here are not agreeing with each other.
Tuck, there is a line between Mn and Wi(original channel). All duck hunters should know it because it doesnt always follow the main channel. What I have been told is MN license follow MN reg. Wi License follow the state you are fishing in. MN Regs are more strict
That is the issue we are trying to get to the bottom of. The laws state that the boundary waters are from RR track to RR track. There is speculation that it in fact is the imaginary line separating the States. Even wardens and management of both States don't agree on what is enforceable. So sit tight as we wade through it. I have a call and email into some Honcho's of the MN DNR to help in clarifying what we all may believe. It may in fact be something completely different than what we think!
There is no "middle of the channel" to this discussion. Track to track is the legal boundary, regardless of which state you reside in and regardless of which license between MN and WS you possess. As stated, if you are from either MN or WS, you are required by law to adhere to the laws set forth by your resident state. If you are from Kansas and buy either a MN or WS license, you adhere to the laws set forth by the state you get the non-res license from. And as stated, no grey area.
-------------------- Plastics: making better fishermen without bait! Good Fishing Guys!
CT
There lies our dilemma. There is "Gray Area." I agree with you. The Game Warden I spoke to today agrees with you. But the person behind the keyboard talking to Riverat saw it differently. And WI does not care what we in MN do, as long as it does not vioate any of their laws.
We are trying to get clarification from DNR management right now..awaiting responses...
Riverratt is correct!! You must follow the rules on the water you are fishing. My friend just got a ticket for using three lines fishing on the Iowa side of the Mississippi river. He has a Wisconsin license which allows three lines. And yes, he was between the tracks.
I don't necessarily agree with it because how are you going to know Iowas rules when you purchased a Wisconsin license. But it is in the rules as Riveratt posted.
In the Iowa rules or WI rules? And, as was mentioned in the duck hunting question...there are many spots where the State line does not follow the channel.
The MN DNR is not even agreeing with themselves. That may be why I have not gotten a response yet.
I cannot speak to "Your Buddy in Iowa's" incident. But if it is worded like WI and MN, I would welcome my day in court! With Jon Jordan as my lawyer.
Chris, it is in the Wisconsin rules word for word as Riveratt posted. My friend is going to fight the citation. How are you suppossed to know the laws of both states when your only given one regulation book?
Warden discretion probaly comes into play during these occasions and I think most wardens probaly would let you off with a warning. Nevertheless, it is in black and white in the rule book in BOLD PRINT.
I wasn't going to jump into this thread but it kind of offended me when Riverratt was being ridiculed for only warning people what the rules actually were.
In many instances the regs are a paraphrase of a much larger statement in the "big book' that you don't get at the license counter. Personal interpretation can skew the real rule. This creates the grey area. What needs to be accomplished is for border states to have one standard set of rules, printed concisely in each state's synopsis and then for someone to stick the rules to the top of the appropriate forums here.
I had my cookies in a wringer while standing in a parking lot on WS soil, but holding a MN license and all I did was ask a question of a co. If everyone had the same rules to follow, including the cos, we wouldn't have this discussion every year.
-------------------- Plastics: making better fishermen without bait! Good Fishing Guys!
CT
The problem, or at least a large part of it, is that the states don't have agreeing regulations. I hope they are working to fix that. One other thing. Wisconsin's abbreviation is not WS, it is WI.
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Most of my life has been spent fishing.The rest of it I just wasted. If I'm not fishing, hunting, or ATVing, you can bet I'm wishing I was! Control your kids, not my guns!
WI is the postal abbreviation. Our Wisconsin boat licenses though have WS in front of the numbers.
ET
-------------------- Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride he sticks his head out the window?
Essentially, Mudshark's responses indicate that a MN angler (res and/or licensed) can come to WI side of the river and fish three lines, but cannot fish three on MN side.
A WI/WS angler, cannot take their three lines over to MN waters but can do so on WI side.
I can follow that thinking. I really don't fish three lines very often if at all. This probably affects cat guys and the use of sunfish as bait more than anyone.
Quote: Essentially, Mudshark's responses indicate that a MN angler (res and/or licensed) can come to WI side of the river and fish three lines, but cannot fish three on MN side.
A WI/WS angler, cannot take their three lines over to MN waters but can do so on WI side.
That's exactly what I was told by a WI DNR Agent.
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Mudshark you won the freaking bet already. once you cross the line down the middle of the channel you are in Iowa. I had Iowa check me one time and they didn't cite me for too many rods but they could have. We see this argument every year.
Quote: I had Iowa check me one time and they didn't cite me for too many rods but they could have.
I think it's important to note that a CO can cite you for scratching your nose the wrong way. Does not mean it's illegal, don't mean it will hold up in court.
Right Tuck, from RR track to RR track on both sides is where the limits are. I can fish to the railroad tracks on the Wisc. side and the same with someone that holds a Wisc. liscense. Limits and regulations are from the state where the fisherman hold his liscense from.
Preparing for trip to ALMA
Anyway, is the no wake zone at Wabasha still in affect? And, do I need a Minnesota license to put in at the Wabasha marina? Thanks for your input.... maybe I will run into some of you on the water... 
That may be why I have not gotten a response yet.
