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SF3031 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Largemouth and smallmouth bass continuous open season provision

Related bill: HF2824

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to establish a continuous open season for fishing certain fish species, specifically largemouth and smallmouth bass, in the state of Minnesota. The goal is to provide anglers with more opportunities to fish for these species throughout the year.

Main Provisions

  • Continuous Open Season: The bill proposes that the fishing season for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass will no longer have specific start and end dates, allowing for fishing year-round.
  • Other Species: The continuous open season also applies to other fish species including sunfish, crappies, channel catfish, and several others.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The existing law specifies a defined fishing season for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, starting two weeks before the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and ending on the last Sunday of February. This bill removes these restrictions, allowing fishing year-round for these species.
  • The amendment affects Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97C.395, adjusting the open season dates for angling these specific fish.

Relevant Terms

continuous open season, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, angling regulations, Minnesota fishing laws, year-round fishing.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEnvironment, Climate, and Legacy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A continuous open season for largemouth and smallmouth bass."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the open seasons for angling different fish species under section 97C.395.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies season start and end dates for particular fish species."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97C.395",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This reference concerns exceptions to the general fishing rules as established by the commissioner.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "97C.415",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]

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