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HF2824 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Continuous open season for taking largemouth and smallmouth bass provided.

Related bill: SF3031

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to amend current fish angling regulations in Minnesota to allow for a continuous open season for certain fish species, specifically targeting largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Main Provisions

  • The bill proposes changes to the Minnesota Statutes, particularly section 97C.395, which deals with the open seasons for different fish species.
  • The new provision states that the open season for catching largemouth and smallmouth bass will be continuous, meaning these species can be caught year-round without any seasonal restrictions.
  • The bill also confirms that other fish such as sunfish, crappie, perch, and various others are included in this continuous open season category.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Previously, the fishing season for largemouth and smallmouth bass was limited to a specific period, generally starting from the second Saturday before Memorial Day through the last Sunday in February.
  • With this amendment, restrictions related to the seasonal angling period for these species will be lifted, allowing for year-round angling activities.
  • The regulation change is meant to optimize fishing opportunities while ensuring resource protection is managed through other means, such as area-specific closures during spawning as determined by the commissioner.

Relevant Terms

  • Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass
  • Continuous Open Season
  • Angling Regulations
  • Fish Spawning Closures
  • Minnesota Statutes Section 97C.395

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 25, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toEnvironment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provision for continuous open season for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends the open fishing seasons regulation for various fish species to potentially allow continuous open seasons for largemouth and smallmouth bass.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes the previous season dates for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass to continuous open season."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97C.395",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This reference is an exception clause affecting the open fishing season dates set by the Commissioner of Natural Resources.",
      "modified": [
        "Cites exception to general opening season rules for specific fish species."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97C.415",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]

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