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The public comment period remains open through Thursday, Feb. 24, for permanent rule changes proposed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that affect fishing and issuing permits.

Complete rule language, statement of need and reasonableness and rule notice can be found on the DNR website at mndnr.gov/input/rules/fisheries.

Rule changes proposed by the DNR include:

• Requiring that anglers who harvest fish from a water body with regulations that differ from statewide regulations to keep their fish carcasses identifiable if they prepare a meal from it while still on the ice or docked or moored to shore. The rule requires that fish carcasses be maintained in such a way that they may be examined, measured and counted to ensure compliance with size restrictions.

• Specifying that anglers may use up to three single or multiple hooks on a single line baited with live, artificial or preserved or dead bait provided the distance from the first to last hook is nine inches or less. A configuration such as this is not considered an artificial bait or fly.

• Allowing anglers to have one additional single or multiple hook on a line as part of an artificial bait as long as it is within three inches of the artificial bait.

• Closing Lake Christina in Grant and Douglas counties to taking and possession of fish to accommodate waterfowl management goals.

• Allowing permits to be issued to media for promotion and educational programs about outdoor recreation, biology, or natural history.

Comments supporting or opposing the rules can be e-mailed to [email protected]. Verbal comments will be accepted by telephone at 651-259-5221 within the metropolitan area and 888-646-6367 from the remainder of Minnesota. Comments may be mailed to Linda Erickson-Eastwood, Box 20, 500 Lafayette Road, St Paul, MN 55155-4020.[[In-content Ad]]

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