{"id":3910,"date":"2024-09-22T06:59:33","date_gmt":"2024-09-22T11:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/atomiccoffee.com\/WWA\/?p=3910"},"modified":"2024-09-22T06:59:33","modified_gmt":"2024-09-22T11:59:33","slug":"know-the-hunting-and-fishing-regs-before-you-enjoy-the-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atomiccoffee.com\/WWA\/know-the-hunting-and-fishing-regs-before-you-enjoy-the-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Know The Hunting And Fishing Regs Before You Enjoy The Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
An article from WWA\u2019s\u00a0Words From The Wardens.<\/a><\/h5>\n

This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association\u2019s April 2023 eNewsletter<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/a>By DNR Warden Bob Jumbeck<\/strong><\/p>\n

More and more first-timers are enjoying the Mississippi River for hunting and fishing. They come from all parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota and nationwide to enjoy the river.<\/p>\n

I have witnessed the growing interest in waterfowl hunting \u2013 and in the Mississippi River. While I am happy to welcome and meet newcomers, it has put me in the frequent position of educating users about the agencies in charge of the river areas, the safety rules, and the regulations.<\/p>\n

Mississippi River Regulated By More Than DNR<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The Mississippi River is different than most waterbodies in the state. The river is divided into pools linked by a network of locks and dams. I\u2019ve been based out of Buffalo County for nearly 19 years, and my service territory includes Pools 4, 5 and 5A.<\/p>\n

We, as recreationists, need to be aware of, and follow, state and federal laws since the river is considered a federal waterway. Be aware of closed areas and areas to avoid, slow-no-wake, and restricted zones.<\/p>\n

I find most river users want to do it the right way. I\u2019m happy to take the calls and answer questions so they enjoy the river correctly \u2013 from the start.<\/p>\n

Maps and various rules and regulations are available readily online. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has online maps indicating their refuge and closed areas. The Wisconsin DNR and our Minnesota counterpart also have all the information online. Or call the warden and ask before you go.<\/p>\n

Starting Rules To Remember<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Here are some rules to get you going, but please remember to take the time to research your activity and the rules which will come into play. Otherwise, you might unwittingly find yourself violating a regulation you had no intention of breaking.<\/p>\n

Wisconsin and Minnesota enjoy a reciprocity agreement for fishing the entire river between the states \u2013 or, more precisely \u2013 between the railroad tracks which parallel the river.<\/p>\n

The Canadian Pacific in Minnesota and the BNSF Railway in Wisconsin are the two railroad tracks. We call it track-the-track<\/em>, meaning any Wisconsin or Minnesota resident with a fishing license from their state can legally fish the entire river between those two parallel railroad tracks. If you invite a friend from Iowa to fish with you, your Iowa friend must have a non-state license to fish legally in this Minnesota-Wisconsin reciprocity area. It doesn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n

Yes, you can legally open-water fish between the states in this stretch. However, you must follow the fishing regulations of the state you are fishing. Generally, the state line between Wisconsin and Minnesota is the center of the river\u2019s main channel. Even though both states try to work toward consistent regulations, there are law differences on the river.<\/p>\n