Anglers optimistic for 2-line fishing on Minnesota River
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune file photos
Max Dzubay readies his pole for fishing catfish on the Minnesota River in this Tribune file photo. He’d be allowed to watch a second line if a proposal now before the state Legislature is approved. It would allow two lines for fishing the Minnesota River from the dam in Granite Falls downstream to Pool 3 near Hastings on the Mississippi River.
Max Dzubay readies his pole for fishing catfish on the Minnesota River in this Tribune file photo. He’d be allowed to watch a second line if a proposal now before the state Legislature is approved. It would allow two lines for fishing the Minnesota River from the dam in Granite Falls downstream to Pool 3 near Hastings on the Mississippi River.
An angler makes his way up the Minnesota River for an evening of fishing in the summer of 2020.
There’s quiet optimism among river anglers that the Legislature might open the way for fishing with two lines during the open water season on much of the Minnesota River and a portion of the Mississippi River.
In its policy initiatives for the 2022 legislative session, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has made known it is open to allowing two lines on the Minnesota River from below the dam in Granite Falls to downstream of St. Anthony Falls to Pool 3 on the Mississippi River near Hastings.
The DNR has steadfastly opposed opening the state to two lines during the open water season on inland waters over concerns that it would increase pressure on the state’s fisheries. The debate over allowing two lines during the open water season on inland waters dates back at least to the tenure of former Willmar State Representative Al Juhnke (1996 -2010), who was one of its champions.
Yet no bill has ever received a governor’s signature.
And in this case, it should be noted: The DNR definitely does not intend this exemption to be a catalyst for opening other, inland waters in the state to two lines, according to Jack Lauer, regional fisheries director for southern Minnesota with the DNR.
Lauer brought the proposal for two lines along the Minnesota River forward on behalf of the catfish working group. The group is composed of citizens who provide input to the DNR. The DNR has a number of working groups providing input on fish species in the state, but it’s been the catfish group that has worked hardest to promote a two-line exemption.
For many catfish anglers, it’s all about bait, according to John Homme of Rochester, a former member of the catfish working group who has argued for two lines. “Catfish are kind of characterized as not too choosy and bottom feeders and so on, but they are choosy in the kind of bait they like,” said Homme.
Allowing two lines would give catfish anglers the opportunity to toss separate lines with different baits to see what works best. Many catfish anglers are fishing from shore, and a two-line option means they could also toss one line out in the middle of the stream in hopes of catching a few channel catfish for supper, while also tossing a line near a river snag in hopes of catching a trophy flathead for catchand-release, said Andy Holtz, an avid catfish angler from Granite Falls.
Those seeking trophy flathead catfish are much like muskie anglers in practicing catch-and-release when they get a big one, added Holtz.
The biggest motivation for allowing two lines is the recreation aspect of fishing, according to Darren Troseth, a river guide who operates Rivers Fishing Adventures and a member of the catfish working group. “It is not about filling coolers,” said Troseth. Allowing anglers to use two lines provides more fishing opportunities and makes the experience more fun, as simple as that.
Troseth has long-argued for allowing two lines during the open water season on all inland waters. He watched bills go to both Governor Tim Pawlenty and Governor Mark Dayton that contained provisions for two lines. Both bills were omnibus bills and vetoed by the governors for a host of reasons.
Troseth, Homme and Holtz all agree that the use of two lines could increase the harvest of fish, and support monitoring the river to determine if the change impacts the fishery. One reason the DNR is open to considering the exemption for the Minnesota River is that it is confident the river can handle an increase in harvest pressure, according to Lauer.
It is considered to be underutilized by anglers for the resources it holds.
Anglers are allowed to use two lines during the ice fishing season. Troseth noted that two lines are currently allowed on most of the state’s border waters, including Big Stone Lake and the St. Croix River shared by Minnesota and Wisconsin, during all seasons. He also pointed out what proponents of opening the state to two lines have long used in their arguments to the Legislature. All of our neighboring states currently allow two lines during the open water season.
Former Representative Al Juhnke had proposed offering the second line as a “bonus” for those who pay an added license fee, possibly $5, for it.
Troseth is optimistic that the DNR’s support for the Minnesota River exemption gives this proposal a very good chance of making it through the Legislature. But he’s also a bit wary, having seen so many other attempts for two-line proposals fail. That’s why he said he is purposely not being very vocal in promoting it.
He also believes that the option of two lines really doesn’t need a cheerleader.
He’s asked anglers to give the idea a thumbs up or down on a variety of online and social media surveys, and has often asked for a simple show of hands at popular watering holes. No matter where he asks, he said roughly 80 percent of anglers support it.
The DNR proposal for allowing two lines along the river still needs to be introduced in the Legislature.
Troseth understands that there is interest in doing so.
If introduced and eventually approved and enacted with a Governor’s signature, the change would not take effect until the 2023 season.
The dam at Granite Falls is the starting point for the area to be open to two lines due to the impact of the dam on the fishery upstream of it.
Dams prevent fish migration and movement and cause a reduction in the diversity of fish species upstream of them.
In its policy initiatives for the 2022 legislative session, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has made known it is open to allowing two lines on the Minnesota River from below the dam in Granite Falls to downstream of St. Anthony Falls to Pool 3 on the Mississippi River near Hastings.
The DNR has steadfastly opposed opening the state to two lines during the open water season on inland waters over concerns that it would increase pressure on the state’s fisheries. The debate over allowing two lines during the open water season on inland waters dates back at least to the tenure of former Willmar State Representative Al Juhnke (1996 -2010), who was one of its champions.
Yet no bill has ever received a governor’s signature.
And in this case, it should be noted: The DNR definitely does not intend this exemption to be a catalyst for opening other, inland waters in the state to two lines, according to Jack Lauer, regional fisheries director for southern Minnesota with the DNR.
Lauer brought the proposal for two lines along the Minnesota River forward on behalf of the catfish working group. The group is composed of citizens who provide input to the DNR. The DNR has a number of working groups providing input on fish species in the state, but it’s been the catfish group that has worked hardest to promote a two-line exemption.
For many catfish anglers, it’s all about bait, according to John Homme of Rochester, a former member of the catfish working group who has argued for two lines. “Catfish are kind of characterized as not too choosy and bottom feeders and so on, but they are choosy in the kind of bait they like,” said Homme.
Allowing two lines would give catfish anglers the opportunity to toss separate lines with different baits to see what works best. Many catfish anglers are fishing from shore, and a two-line option means they could also toss one line out in the middle of the stream in hopes of catching a few channel catfish for supper, while also tossing a line near a river snag in hopes of catching a trophy flathead for catchand-release, said Andy Holtz, an avid catfish angler from Granite Falls.
Those seeking trophy flathead catfish are much like muskie anglers in practicing catch-and-release when they get a big one, added Holtz.
The biggest motivation for allowing two lines is the recreation aspect of fishing, according to Darren Troseth, a river guide who operates Rivers Fishing Adventures and a member of the catfish working group. “It is not about filling coolers,” said Troseth. Allowing anglers to use two lines provides more fishing opportunities and makes the experience more fun, as simple as that.
Troseth has long-argued for allowing two lines during the open water season on all inland waters. He watched bills go to both Governor Tim Pawlenty and Governor Mark Dayton that contained provisions for two lines. Both bills were omnibus bills and vetoed by the governors for a host of reasons.
Troseth, Homme and Holtz all agree that the use of two lines could increase the harvest of fish, and support monitoring the river to determine if the change impacts the fishery. One reason the DNR is open to considering the exemption for the Minnesota River is that it is confident the river can handle an increase in harvest pressure, according to Lauer.
It is considered to be underutilized by anglers for the resources it holds.
Anglers are allowed to use two lines during the ice fishing season. Troseth noted that two lines are currently allowed on most of the state’s border waters, including Big Stone Lake and the St. Croix River shared by Minnesota and Wisconsin, during all seasons. He also pointed out what proponents of opening the state to two lines have long used in their arguments to the Legislature. All of our neighboring states currently allow two lines during the open water season.
Former Representative Al Juhnke had proposed offering the second line as a “bonus” for those who pay an added license fee, possibly $5, for it.
Troseth is optimistic that the DNR’s support for the Minnesota River exemption gives this proposal a very good chance of making it through the Legislature. But he’s also a bit wary, having seen so many other attempts for two-line proposals fail. That’s why he said he is purposely not being very vocal in promoting it.
He also believes that the option of two lines really doesn’t need a cheerleader.
He’s asked anglers to give the idea a thumbs up or down on a variety of online and social media surveys, and has often asked for a simple show of hands at popular watering holes. No matter where he asks, he said roughly 80 percent of anglers support it.
The DNR proposal for allowing two lines along the river still needs to be introduced in the Legislature.
Troseth understands that there is interest in doing so.
If introduced and eventually approved and enacted with a Governor’s signature, the change would not take effect until the 2023 season.
The dam at Granite Falls is the starting point for the area to be open to two lines due to the impact of the dam on the fishery upstream of it.
Dams prevent fish migration and movement and cause a reduction in the diversity of fish species upstream of them.