The MN house and senate have passed a bill allowing for fishing with two lines with a special license and restrictions. Would you add the two line endorsement to your fishing license next year if Pawlenty signs this into law?

How it works is you have to buy a $10 special license (endorsement) at the time you purchase your annual license, it cannot be added later. This allows you to fish with two lines except for special regulation lakes, BUT, you can only keep half your limit (rounded down) even if not fishing two lines. Limits would be walleye 3, bass 3, pike 1, lake trout 1.

This opens up a lot of different methods for fishing. Think trolling with 4 rods using planer boards (might be hard from a canoe). Drifting a live bait rig with 3 way swivel and plain hook/leach and jig/minnow combination. Casting a KVD style double zulu rig for smallmouth.

Absolutely not, I wouldnt use two lines if it was free !

Nope! sounds like motor boat stuff.

Only way I would use 2 lines is so I could bobber fish and cast at the same time. And I doubt I would do it often.

I think I would pass on that.

Down here in Illinois about the only time I use 2 rods is for catfishing at night.
The times in Minnesota when 2 rods would be nice is when we fished over by Grand Rapids and we would anchor over a big school of perch or a place we use to go to by Alexandria,a big group of my grandparents and friends would go all the way to Minnesota to catch bullheads.Pull in the shallows and drop and drag the anchor for 10 ft. to clear a spot in the weeds.On cue,when the skeeters came out the bullheads would invade the shallows.
For BWCA fishing,I wouldn't bother with the 2nd rod.

I think all of you (besides the orinal poster of this thread) are extremely naive [edit: also Huselis and "That Guy" don't seem foolish like the first 2 replys]. I say 'extremely' because of the abundance of exclamation points.

In North Dakota people fish with multiple lines, if you go on the great lakes through other states you can have multiple. We all fish multiple during ice season.

I would definitely by the added line option for $10 if you could possess a full limit. I don't understand the half limit; I suppose it's to discourage this from becoming rampant but if you still allow 1 person to keep 1 full limit, I fail to see the harm.

Anyways, yeah it'd be nice to be able to troll 2 lines if you're fishing by yourself. I might consider trolling a lindy rig and casting a crank bait, or trolling a lindy and snap jigging another line.

I think if we all grew up with MN having 2 lines possible, as they do in our neighbor North Dakota, we'd all be fine with it. For some reason you guys are stubborn/ignorant to the concept.

Obviously we're in a BWCA post so canoeing should be brought up. I'd find myself hard pressed to have the room and time to run 2 lines while canoeing. What with the steering, paddling, space limitations, balancing the boat as you struggle to reach the 2nd line. So yeah I doubt I would do it in the BWCA.

In my normal fishing boat, however you have more room, maybe rod holders, engines so you don't paddle. You can do 2 lines probably. With all that being said I would probably only do it 50% of the time or even as little as 10-25% of the time. But there are deff situations where it can be fun, easy, not unethical, etc.

You all are fooling yourselves I think.
Wow that was a long rant... sorry!

Thanks,
Ryan

OHH, you can't use two lines in MN. I will have make a note to myself for next trip.

Note to self: only one fishing line in MN, or people get confused on what to do.

quote fishguts: "Nope! sounds like motor boat stuff."

Oh come on fishguts!!!
Twice the lines and half the fish will give you casting while paddling crankbait guys an opportunity to actually catch a limit:)

California allows for purchase of a "second rod" stamp for $12.85. I have always passed on the offer because I usually fish from my solo canoe. Come to think of it, I even passed on it before I had a canoe. Maybe I am into the time I spend fishing more than I am the fish themselves.

In the Great State of Wisconsin we are allowed 3 lines. There are many opportunity were 3 lines are useful. I always wondered why Minnesota had that one line regulation.

I don't really understand the reasoning for one line here in MN either. You can only possess your limit--so there should not be an increase in fish harvested.

Most of the time 2 lines is impractical but if you were trolling planers and long lines I could see where I would want some more lines out. If you were a slip bobber fisherman it would give you an extra line to watch.

Casting or live bait rigging I'd have a hard time using 2 lines.

I don't think I'd buy it under the guidelines you listed, especially when I could just bring my wife along and watch her line for free :)


T

I might buy the extra rod license. I would never use it in the BW or out of a canoe in general. I've done that in WI, pain in the butt. I don't catfish very often in MN for the very reason that I get bored stiff waiting on one rod.

So I've been sticking to the border rivers and WI.

YES!
I did it once anyway.

No I would not fish this way on any lake in MN. What is up with the lower limit and costing more?

For me it is how we always fished in CT. It allows a lot of options and keeps the line in the water, where I have found the fish to generally be.
Boppa

I always fish two lines in winter (legal here in Minnesota), but wouldn't bother doing so during the soft water season. Like deer baiting, it just isn't part of the culture here.

quote murp0443: "I think all of you (besides the orinal poster of this thread) are extremely naive [edit: also Huselis and "That Guy" don't seem foolish like the first 2 replys]. I say 'extremely' because of the abundance of exclamation points.


In North Dakota people fish with multiple lines, if you go on the great lakes through other states you can have multiple. We all fish multiple during ice season.


I would definitely by the added line option for $10 if you could possess a full limit. I don't understand the half limit; I suppose it's to discourage this from becoming rampant but if you still allow 1 person to keep 1 full limit, I fail to see the harm.


Anyways, yeah it'd be nice to be able to troll 2 lines if you're fishing by yourself. I might consider trolling a lindy rig and casting a crank bait, or trolling a lindy and snap jigging another line.


I think if we all grew up with MN having 2 lines possible, as they do in our neighbor North Dakota, we'd all be fine with it. For some reason you guys are stubborn/ignorant to the concept.


Obviously we're in a BWCA post so canoeing should be brought up. I'd find myself hard pressed to have the room and time to run 2 lines while canoeing. What with the steering, paddling, space limitations, balancing the boat as you struggle to reach the 2nd line. So yeah I doubt I would do it in the BWCA.


In my normal fishing boat, however you have more room, maybe rod holders, engines so you don't paddle. You can do 2 lines probably. With all that being said I would probably only do it 50% of the time or even as little as 10-25% of the time. But there are deff situations where it can be fun, easy, not unethical, etc.


You all are fooling yourselves I think.
Wow that was a long rant... sorry!


Thanks,
Ryan"

Its nice to know that were both ignorant and naive, and I thought i knew alot about fishing and conservation but thanks for setting us all straight. The reason people ask a question on this site is so we can give our opinions, if you would use two lines im happy for you, I would not and that is my opinion ! P. S. The reason we use one line in the summer is partly for conservation reasons, thats why fishing is so good here,using two lines increases your chances for catching more fish, and if you have everyone catching twice as much, your going to have problems with depleting the fishery. If they are promoting conservation with this measure than its good thing, I just personally wouldnt use two lines .

I probably wouldn't by the additional license, but here in Missouri, we are allowed 3 rods. I use the 3 rod approach quite a bit for both Catfish and Crappie. 1 rod catfishing makes for a slow night usually, and 3 rod crappie fishing can make for some extremely exciting fishing. I don't really think comparing fishing like this to deer baiting is an equal comparison.

quote murp0443: "I think all of you (besides the orinal poster of this thread) are extremely naive [edit: also Huselis and "That Guy" don't seem foolish like the first 2 replys]. I say 'extremely' because of the abundance of exclamation points."

Wow (exclamation points)....I think someone could use a little visit to the Dignity and Respect post (exclamation points)

I might consider the two line option if it were offered. I tend to NOT keep many fish with the exception of the occasional walleye shore lunch. Like others said, two lines might be difficult out of a canoe but a little BWCAW shore fishing might be fun with two lines. Also, two lines might be useful for me on Mille Lacs in a motor boat. I could put one rod in a rod holder fishing vertically 3 feet of the bottom. I could use the other rod with a Lindy or bottom bouncer 30 feet behind the boat. I am not sure how many more fish that I would catch, but there would be less time without a wet line while untangling weeds and re-baiting hooks.

I think the law would actually help the fisheries. Firstly, there would be less fish harvested by those who bought the endorsement. Secondly, the DNR could use the revenue from fees to help pay for re-stocking programs. There might be a hook mortality argument with regards to the increase in released fish, but I think that would be negligible.

I definitely don't think there is anything wrong with giving anglers the option to buy a two line license.

Hey what is a KVD style double zulu rig? Like to see how it works.

Thank you

quote timatkn: Casting or live bait rigging I'd have a hard time using 2 lines

It might not be so hard you just have to get more creative. Tie a 3 way swivel on your line. Add an 18" dropper with a 1/2 oz jig and put on a minnow. Add a 4' snell with a bare hook and leach. Drift this and you're fishing 2 lines, 1 rod. Another thing people do on the Mississippi is to tie a jig or a second crankbait off the rear most ring on your crankbait. There are a lot of options using 1 rod and 2 lines that are fairly easy.

quote Savage Voyageur: What is up with the lower limit and costing more?

The best argument for opposition is that it will put more pressure on a fishery. By assigning the same regulations as the conservation license, it quells the opposition.

quote DuluthPak: Also, two lines might be useful for me on Mille Lacs in a motor boat

Mille Lacs already has a lowered walleye limit. Under the law as written this makes it illegal to fish with two lines.

quote rosmith01: "Hey what is a KVD style double zulu rig? Like to see how it works."

Take a short amount of line, like 18", and tie a bare hook w/ zulu plastic on one end and a barrel swivel on the other. Pass your main line through the open ring on the swivel and tie on a second swivel. Tie a longer leader on the second swivel, like 36", and tie on a second bare hook and zulu. The shorter leader can move up and down the main line as needed, and it can be cast and fished as a jerkbait.

I probably would buy the endorsement if it were available. I could see using two lines for Walleye and Lake Trout trolling from a boat, Catfishing or Crappie fishing. I really only ever keep one or two Walleyes, Pike or maybe a half dozen Jumbo Perch so it wouldn't change my harvest at all. Having said all of this I would just as soon leave the regs the way they are or even tighten them up a little. We have great fishing here in Mn and more people fishing all of the time so we should do what we can to keep it that way. I do love catching fish though so if it were available and everyone else was using two lines I would probably double down from time to time.

I would do it no questions 3 walleye 3 bass and 1 northern would be plenty. I rarely keep my limit anyway, just enough to feed myself and a few other for the night.

quote Mille Lacs already has a lowered walleye limit. Under the law as written this makes it illegal to fish with two lines.."

I see. Is every lake with special regulations exempt from the new two line rule? If so, then I might re-consider buying that two line permit.

Is the Mississippi River eligible for the new two line law? The Mississippi is all catch and release for walleye in the area that I sometimes fish.

29.95 x 2 + 10.00 endorsement and you could still safely hold two beers.

I don't support changing our regs to allow 2 lines - but if it were passed, I would be fishing 2 lines.
Pretty much any trolling situation, sturgeon, walleye jigging, crappies with slip bobbers, shore fishing trout, live bait rig and casting while musky fishing, the list goes on and on where I would potentially use 2 lines.
It wouldn't change my harvest at all so it doesn't matter to me either way.

quote DuluthPak: "

quote Mille Lacs already has a lowered walleye limit. Under the law as written this makes it illegal to fish with two lines.."

I see. Is every lake with special regulations exempt from the new two line rule? If so, then I might re-consider buying that two line permit.


Is the Mississippi River eligible for the new two line law? The Mississippi is all catch and release for walleye in the area that I sometimes fish.


"

DuluthPak do you fish pool 2? I'd like to try that stretch out sometime.

I think every lake that has special regulations pertaining to limit numbers would be exempt from the 2 line rule. Lakes where the special regs are strictly slots would not.

I mentioned the Mississippi because the portion from Prescott south is MN-WI border waters and two lines are already allowed. Same goes with the St. Croix and St. Louis rivers.

So, let me see if I got this right. In Minnesota you're only allowed 1 line (rod or pole), but you can fish with multiple baits on that one line?

quote
DuluthPak do you fish pool 2? I'd like to try that stretch out sometime."

Yes...I fish pool #2 occasionally. I fish the northern portion from Lilydale to the Ford Dam by boat. It is all catch and release for walleye in that area. I enjoy it because there is always something exciting to see on the river and you never know what you are going to catch while fishing for walleyes on the Mississippi. The best part of pool #2 is that there is a boat landing 10 minutes from my house.

Would the 2 line rule be allowed on pool #2?

quote silverback: "So, let me see if I got this right. In Minnesota you're only allowed 1 line (rod or pole), but you can fish with multiple baits on that one line? "

Awww come on silverback, it's not that hard to figure out, the reg book is only 80 pages long ;)

Seriously though, the stuff I was talking about for multiple baits/hooks on 1 rod/line would all be considered 2 lines, which is currently legal on MN-WI border waters, and would be legal under the new law as passed, and is currently NOT legal on inland waters. So the law doesn't care whether it is two rods or one rod and two baits, either is considered two lines.

quote DuluthPak: "

quote
DuluthPak do you fish pool 2? I'd like to try that stretch out sometime."

Yes...I fish pool #2 occasionally. I fish the northern portion from Lilydale to the Ford Dam by boat. It is all catch and release for walleye in that area. I enjoy it because there is always something exciting to see on the river and you never know what you are going to catch while fishing for walleyes on the Mississippi. The best part of pool #2 is that there is a boat landing 10 minutes from my house.

Would the 2 line rule be allowed on pool #2?"

That's where I figured you meant when you said catch and release only. That's one perfect example where strict regulations have produced a true quality fishery. There are lots of pig walleyes I hear.

I think since the special regs on pool 2 apply to limits (catch and release) instead of size, the two line rule would not be allowed there.

quote brerud: "I don't support changing our regs to allow 2 lines - but if it were passed, I would be fishing 2 lines.
Pretty much any trolling situation, sturgeon, walleye jigging, crappies with slip bobbers, shore fishing trout, live bait rig and casting while musky fishing, the list goes on and on where I would potentially use 2 lines.
It wouldn't change my harvest at all so it doesn't matter to me either way."

Youve hit on the key point here brerud, it wouldnt change my harvest at all either because i put back almost everything i catch in a given year, but there would be alot of folks that it would change there harvest drastically I believe, not so much on bwca lakes but on boat lakes.

quote DTrain: "

quote silverback: "So, let me see if I got this right. In Minnesota you're only allowed 1 line (rod or pole), but you can fish with multiple baits on that one line? "

Awww come on silverback, it's not that hard to figure out, the reg book is only 80 pages long ;)


Seriously though, the stuff I was talking about for multiple baits/hooks on 1 rod/line would all be considered 2 lines, which is currently legal on MN-WI border waters, and would be legal under the new law as passed, and is currently NOT legal on inland waters. So the law doesn't care whether it is two rods or one rod and two baits, either is considered two lines."

Actually you can fish up to 3 flies on one line but only for trout and panfish. Kind of a weird exception but whatever.

And they have to be flies, lures and bait do not count

There will be no option after all. The bill was vetoed by Pawlenty.

Good!

quote schollmeier: "

quote DTrain: "

quote silverback: "So, let me see if I got this right. In Minnesota you're only allowed 1 line (rod or pole), but you can fish with multiple baits on that one line? "

Awww come on silverback, it's not that hard to figure out, the reg book is only 80 pages long ;)



Seriously though, the stuff I was talking about for multiple baits/hooks on 1 rod/line would all be considered 2 lines, which is currently legal on MN-WI border waters, and would be legal under the new law as passed, and is currently NOT legal on inland waters. So the law doesn't care whether it is two rods or one rod and two baits, either is considered two lines."

Actually you can fish up to 3 flies on one line but only for trout and panfish. Kind of a weird exception but whatever.

And they have to be flies, lures and bait do not count"

Can you point that out to me in the regs? I have been looking for it. I normally fish a popper and a dropper (on a fly rod). Many people have told me that it is technically illegal but not enforced.

I have a home on Lake Pepin; there I can fish with two lines. The only times I do are catfishing and trolling (two long line, two lead lines and two people).
I don't kill any fish, at least not intentionally (so the bag limit mox nix).

quote CaptnDan:
"Can you point that out to me in the regs? I have been looking for it. I normally fish a popper and a dropper (on a fly rod). Many people have told me that it is technically illegal but not enforced.


I have a home on Lake Pepin; there I can fish with two lines. The only times I do are catfishing and trolling (two long line, two lead lines and two people).
I don't kill any fish, at least not intentionally (so the bag limit mox nix)."

Top of page 9 in the 2010 regulation booklet, end of the first bulletpoint/paragraph under Angling Methods

verbatim:

"Anglers may use only one hook. An artificial lure is considered one hook.A treble hook, when not part of an artificial lure, is considered three hooks and is not legal. The exception is that three artificial flies may be used when angling for trout, crappie, sunfish, and rock bass."

I would and heres why.

1. I usually fish by myself so having an extra line trolling would be a big help to me.

2. I never catch my limit so maybe I would be able to for a change.

quote schollmeier: "

quote CaptnDan:
"Can you point that out to me in the regs? I have been looking for it. I normally fish a popper and a dropper (on a fly rod). Many people have told me that it is technically illegal but not enforced.



I have a home on Lake Pepin; there I can fish with two lines. The only times I do are catfishing and trolling (two long line, two lead lines and two people).
I don't kill any fish, at least not intentionally (so the bag limit mox nix)."

Top of page 9 in the 2010 regulation booklet, end of the first bulletpoint/paragraph under Angling Methods


verbatim:


"Anglers may use only one hook. An artificial lure is considered one hook.A treble hook, when not part of an artificial lure, is considered three hooks and is not legal. The exception is that three artificial flies may be used when angling for trout, crappie, sunfish, and rock bass." "

Thank you VERY much! Don't know how many times I must have looked past this. Also very interesting that when fly fishing for smallies the popper and dropper is out.

quote CaptnDan:
"Thank you VERY much! Don't know how many times I must have looked past this. Also very interesting that when fly fishing for smallies the popper and dropper is out."

No problem. It is an odd law though - only trout and panfish. I'm sure the bill was bought and paid for by Trout Unlimited... probably just tacked the sunfish on as an argument that it would benefit more people.

quote schollmeier: "

quote CaptnDan:
"Thank you VERY much! Don't know how many times I must have looked past this. Also very interesting that when fly fishing for smallies the popper and dropper is out."

No problem. It is an odd law though - only trout and panfish. I'm sure the bill was bought and paid for by Trout Unlimited... probably just tacked the sunfish on as an argument that it would benefit more people.
"

The multiple flies rule has been around for decades. It certainly was not "bought and paid for by Trout Unlimited", which is a GREAT organization, by the way. And yes, I am a member.

quote arctic: "The multiple flies rule has been around for decades. It certainly was not "bought and paid for by Trout Unlimited", which is a GREAT organization, by the way. And yes, I am a member."

Arctic -

Relax bud. I did not say Trout Unlimited is bad organization. Actually I think they are generally a great organization and like what they primarily work for: habit restoration, dam removal, improving water quality, etc.

I simply stated that it was an odd rule and because the only people who seem to know about it are trout fishermen it seems logical that it would be something they would have pushed for.

I apologize for any offense - though it still strikes me as an unusual rule.

Do you (or anyone else) happen to know the origin of the rule? Just curious now.

Sorry for my question and hijacking the thread; must be my AD/HD.

Oh, look at the bird......

The entire G+F bill was very poorly thought out, criticized heavily by fisheries professionals, and gave a favored treatment to it's author's cabin lake, Fish Lake Resevoir north of Duluth. The author, Sen. Chaudhary, from Fridley, is in some hot water over it. Gov. Pawlenty vetoed it, so its dead for now. Just a prime example of amateur hour at the state capitol. So no two lines for now. Outdoor News

quote schollmeier: "

quote arctic: "The multiple flies rule has been around for decades. It certainly was not "bought and paid for by Trout Unlimited", which is a GREAT organization, by the way. And yes, I am a member."

Arctic -


Relax bud. I did not say Trout Unlimited is bad organization. Actually I think they are generally a great organization and like what they primarily work for: habit restoration, dam removal, improving water quality, etc.


I simply stated that it was an odd rule and because the only people who seem to know about it are trout fishermen it seems logical that it would be something they would have pushed for.


I apologize for any offense - though it still strikes me as an unusual rule.


Do you (or anyone else) happen to know the origin of the rule? Just curious now."

No need to apologize and no offense taken! I have no idea who instated the rule, but it is decades old. Seems to me that I saw it in the regs back in the 70s when I was a kid. I do know that using more than one fly at a time is pretty standard for fly anglers, typically an attractor, followed by another fly.

Ryan" Its nice to know that were both ignorant and naive, and I thought i knew alot about fishing and conservation but thanks for setting us all straight. The reason people ask a question on this site is so we can give our opinions, if you would use two lines im happy for you, I would not and that is my opinion ! P. S. The reason we use one line in the summer is partly for conservation reasons, thats why fishing is so good here,using two lines increases your chances for catching more fish, and if you have everyone catching twice as much, your going to have problems with depleting the fishery. If they are promoting conservation with this measure than its good thing, I just personally wouldnt use two lines ."

Well said. There is a reason it's called fishing and not catching. With one rod, you may catch a limit, you may get skunked. With 2 rods, you double the chances of getting a limit. People forget what it was like 25 years ago. You would go fishing for panfish and catch some really nice one. And we had a limit of what was it, 100 fish? That was idiotic. Who the hell needs 100 panfish in their freezer? Well lots of people thought that, and now we have a piss poor population of decent size panfish. DNR finally brought the limit down to a more reasonable size.

So some states have 2 limits, some have 3. If you look at it in the terms of why Minnesota doesn't, why not argue for 4 lines? Why not 5? I mean think how fast you could fill a limit with 5 lines in the water. Why not just run a trot line with 100 hooks on it? The argument is after all about getting a limit right?

Adding another line to the water and charging for it is nothing more than the state trying to generate revenue, pure and simple. Hunting and fishing lic have been in a decline for years and that is all this is, a way to bring in more money for the DNR.

2 lines? why not just use a net and get it over with already. I've understood why other states do it but it wouldn't be polite to say why.

quote Chilly: "2 lines? why not just use a net and get it over with already. I've understood why other states do it but it wouldn't be polite to say why. "

Some would say the same about using live bait or barbed hooks.

Back to the original question: YES. I would pay quite a bit for the ability to use 2 lines.
My favorite way of fishing is to use one pole with a slip bobber and leech while casting another pole. That way, I get the best of both worlds.
I basically go the BW to fish. My trip has already cost quite a bit of money. If I had to pay $10 or $20 to use 2 poles, that would be a very insignificant fraction of the total cost.