The Controversial “Two Line” Proposal for Minnesota Fishing.
Once again a bill has been introduced in the Minnesota House of representatives which would modify current wording to allow anglers to use two lines to take fish. Currently, anglers are only allowed a single line except when ice fishing at which time two lines are allowed. This has, of course, set off all sorts of controversy in certain circles with proponents pointing to our friends to the east and west as examples of the multi-line rule, while those opposed feel that it will only harm the excellent fishing we currently enjoy in the state of Minnesota.
I have to admit that I am somewhat ambivalent about the idea. I’ve heard some silly and some logical arguments from both sides. Back in 2009, the last time the idea was floated, Rep. Al Juhnke suggested that “It makes the sport more enjoyable when the fish aren’t biting”. Now, I’m not sure about the rest of you fine readers out there… but when the fish aren’t biting I could have ten lines out and the fish still won’t be biting. During that last go-round, Ed Boggess, deputy director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources suggested that putting more lines in the water would result in more fish being caught, potentially causing more stress on the fish, sometimes leading to death. Again, I feel compelled to point out the obvious counter-argument. If the limit is six walleyes, then I must legally stop when I possess walleye number six. If the fishing is good, and I can have two lines out, then it might be argued that I could catch my limit in half the time, but it would be a limit nonetheless and my evening would be over. However, there is data out there that demonstrates that the survival rate of released walleye is low if handled improperly or if caught from certain depths. If a good bite is coupled with multiple lines, then it could reasonably be argued that more fish will be released during the average outing and therefore a larger number of released fish will die. Conversely, if the fishing is lousy, two lines won’t make walleyes appear out of thin air.
I can see only two scenarios in which I myself would even consider two lines. Bobber fishing and trolling crankbaits (or any other lure with planer boards). These seem like the only two situations where handling multiple rods is even practical. I backtroll often and rely heavily on feel whether I’m pulling a jig or a lindy rig. I have no idea how I would hold two rods and control the tiller at the same time. It gets tricky enough managing a single rod at times. There are also times we simply pitch jigs into cabbage from the deep side of a drop and then slowly jig back to the boat. From all calculations it would required four arms for a single angler to accomplish this feat with two rods.
I guess with all of the other important issues out there that need to be dealt with, spending time arguing over a two line law seems to pale in comparison to something like a multi-billion dollar deficit. I’m not convinced that the economic impact would be significant, and I’m not convinced that it would be advantageous to 90% of the anglers that hit the water. I’d love to hear what you all think. Leave me a comment below.
I honestly don’t think it will make a difference as long as the limits stay the same. That’s just my opinion. To make everyone else feel better, I have an idea. You can use two lines up until you have your limit, then you can only use one line for catch and release. If they’re really worried about the fish experiencing stress, regulate it with other methods like single hooks only.
One thing that doesn’t make sense to me is: you can use two lines for ice fishing but not in the summer… why? I wonder if they have a good reason for that.
I have mixed feelings. For my bass fishing, which is most of my fishing, I can only handle one rod at a time. I fish from shore a lot in the spring in a small community spot and frankly I don’t like the idea of people being able to take up space there with a 2nd line when it is already crowded; If there is just a couple of people fishing then it wouldn’t matter very much. It might be nice to be able to have two lines when I fish for walleye from shore early in the season on Mille Lacs or when I go out on Mille Lacs Launch trips, provided the launch isn’t packed with people. If ever I would go vertical jigging or trolling by myself for walleye it’s nice to have two rods to do those things.
I think it would be a blessing at times and a curse at others. I don’t really put much stock into the arguments about increased hooking mortality.
It seems that the unknowns are what give people pause. Logically, the only reason to use two lines would be to improve your chances of catching a fish. Some feel that is a positive thing, while others seem concerned that it may be a negative thing. As for myself, there wouldn’t be too many times I would opt for the second line.