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Just wondering what people have been seeing down there? Are the fish still on beds, or have they finished spawning, and if so how long ago? Are there alot of fish cruising up shallow? What is the curly pondweed like? Water temps? Any info would be great. I am fishing a small club tournament on sunday and I dont know if I will be able to make it down saturday and I really dont want to show up totally blind, so ANY info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

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AM I MISTAKEN OR IS IT ILLEGAL TO HAVE A TOURNAMENT ON THE WEEKEND THE TARGETED SPECIES SEASON OPENER confused.gif?

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This is what I found on the Mn DNR site. I tried to find out who needs to have a tourny permit and who is exempt. But no, you cannot fish bass for a tourny on the opener unless there is a rule that exempts them which I cannot find.

Weekend Limitations

On any water body 55,000 acres or less, the DNR may require at least two weekends per month with no permitted fishing contests.

The DNR may require that Permitted fishing contests conducted for more than one day may not include more than one weekend day from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Permitted fishing contests may not be held on the weekend of fishing season openers if the contest would target a species that the season is opening for.

Here's the exemption rules.

Permit Requirements

Permits are issued without a fee to Minnesota residents only.

A permit is required for any fishing contest that is limited to specifically named waters if one or more of the following apply:

There are greater than 30 participants for open-water contests or 150 participants for ice-fishing contests

The entry fee is greater than $25 per person

The total prize value is greater than $25,000 or

The contest is limited to trout species only

So, it looks like if they have less than 30 members attending, then its ok unless the prize money or entry fee is greater.

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Tournaments in wich you need to obtain a permit are not legal. We do not. Only 6-8 boats. This club has had an opening weekend tournament for almost 30 years, and it has never been a problem.

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Most organized events still require a permit from the county sheriff. Best to cover all bases.

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We DO NOT need a permit. We have never needed one and unless the current regulations change we will never need one. This has been covered all ready. I just was looking for a little info on what the bass are up to down that way, and the current lake conditions, weed growth, water temps etc. Thanks to anyone who is willing to give me a little info

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Oly

Last week when I was on Washington the water temps were around that 69-70 mark. With these recent rains I would expect that it may have cooled a bit. The weeds are starting to come fairly well. I caught a couple little ones the last few times out but I do not target them.

They have sprayed the lake to try and kill off some of these weeds and the lake does have some green slime in places.

Thats about all I know.

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No permit req'd from the DNR, but if you read the regulations (sorry, but the DNR regulations page is down right now) is something like this - "most organized events on the water require a permit from the county sheriff".

We used to have a club in the mid-to late 90's with 10-15 boats. We were questioned by sheriffs on this rule at both Marion (in Lakeville) and Madison Lake (B.E. county). If you have contest in either of these counties you should let the sheriff know about your group.

Nothing has changed, this has been in the regulations for years. I am not trying to tell you what to do or not to have a contest on opening weekend, but it is covered in the regs. The bass circuits that run around Mankato get the permits from both the DNR and the sheriff. Might as well cover all your bases.

Good luck on Washington. luckycrank should be the one giving you hints - he's won the last 3 money tournaments out there...

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Katoguy is right-on with the Sherif notification. A good frind of mine was a water patrol for the county for a couple summers, he ran into this frequently. The county mounties like to have a handle on what's going on in their county regardles of state DNR regs. An organized event, on a lake, with a public weigh-in should be made aware to the local sheriff.

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i do understand the rules to fishing contests for a certain type of species on opener day that is being targeted. but doesn't everybody usually go after the type of fish they have always been waiting for to fish on opener day? i personally dont think there should be a law saying u cant have tournaments on opening days. for example when walleye opener begins everybody targets that find of fish for the weekend. some come home with there limits and others dont get anything or maybe a few. i dont think taking a few bass or so from the lake will hurt any. most tournaments encourage "catch and release" but it is not required by any means. is there really that many people that go out bass fishing on opener as they do for walleyes? i think the majority of them will go for the eyes instead. just putting in my 2 sence worth.

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I believe that what a few of the members are trying to do is make sure no one gets into a pickle for not having the right paperwork done before an event.

No one wants to see some group get into a problem for a friendly little event.

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Right, harvey. Also, I think the sheriff's dept likes to be aware of what is going on just in case (boat accident or other altercation).

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