Fishing opener question

[Petey923]

Ok, I'm in an argument with a friend about the status of Bass during the opener. I'm telling him that you shouldn't target Bass since they are not in season and he says that as long as you don't keep them, you won't get into trouble. So, I'm throwing this question out to the experts....what do y'all say?

[Slyster]

Considering the vast majority of us 'bass anglers' are C&R.. (and also the fact it's illegal).. it is completely wrong to target bass before bass opener. Otherwise we would all be fishing them now instead of chasing crappies!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Pete- Tell him he is intensionally breaking the law!... no ifs ands or butts!... They are out of season, and there is no catch and release season. Its illegal to target a species that is out of season.. nuff said!

[Petey923]

Thanks. I am now a 12 pack of beer richer

And, I will give him a stern talking to....

[Schloogs]

If your friend needs proof. I took the below statement from page 10 of the 2007 fishing regulations handbook

'• You may not intentionally fish for any species during its closed season.'

[slipperybob]

Online MN Reg 2007

[fdr01]

so why is it that bass are not put in with walleye and northern?they go after alot of the same things,are they spawning?fdr

[vister]

Bass usually don't spawn until the water is quite warm, they are typically a warm water fish, but not too warm. Walleyes usually spawn just after ice out, and northerns are almost always done just as the ice leaves the lakes, however they hang around a while after spawn.

I have to agree with slyster, if it wasn't illegal to fish for bass specifically out of season, I wouldn't be buying crappie minnows every weekend, it'd be new spinners and plastics!

[HAppnhook]

Here is how to convince him. Give him one of your other buddy's phone number and tell him this is a number for a CO you talked to and "he would like for you to give him a call". You could set up a real good prank with a lesson attached!

[Dragon Fish ll]

Isnt pool two open to C&R year round? if not down by hastings is keep year round. I just caught a Largemouth a couple days ago an was targeting it. little bugger mayby 10 inches but was trying for the big female sitting on her nest an the big male that swam in till she chased him off. also caught 40 + trout. OH yea but that was another state, with a bunch of Rocky Mountains