Minnesota legislation · 94th Legislature 2025-2026
Minnesota HF5111: Use of sonar when fishing for muskellunge or northern pike prohibited in certain waters.
Status: In committee, May 4, 2026
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to game and fish; prohibiting the use of sonar when fishing for muskellunge or northern pike in certain waters; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97C.335.
From the introduced text, May 4, 2026:
A bill for an act relating to game and fish; prohibiting the use of sonar when fishing for muskellunge or northern pike in certain waters; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97C.335. Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97C.335, is amended to read: 97C.335 deleted text begin USE OFdeleted text end new text begin [ADDED: RESTRICTIONS ON USING] new text end ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS new text begin [ADDED: AND SONAR ] new text end TO TAKE FISH deleted text begin PROHIBITEDdeleted text end . new text begin [ADDED: Subdivision 1.] new text end new text begin [ADDED: Using lights prohibited.] new text end (a) A person may not use artificial lights to lure or attract fish or to see fish in the water while spearing, except that while angling or spearing, a person or (2) use a lighted decoy for spearing. (b) A battery that is used in lighted fishing lures must not contain mercury. (c) The restrictions in paragraph (a) do not apply to bow fishing. new text begin [ADDED: Subd. 2.] new text end new text begin [ADDED: Using sonar.] new text end new text begin [ADDED: (a) While fishing for muskellunge or northern pike in waters identified by the commissioner as waters where muskellunge populations are naturally reproducing and not primarily maintained through stocking, a person may not use, …
Sponsors
- Roger Skraba (R) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Introduction and first reading, referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Common questions
- What is HF5111?
- HF5111 is a bill in the Minnesota Legislature (94th Legislature 2025-2026): Use of sonar when fishing for muskellunge or northern pike prohibited in certain waters.
- What does HF5111 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to game and fish; prohibiting the use of sonar when fishing for muskellunge or northern pike in certain waters; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97C.335.
- What is the status of HF5111?
- In committee as of May 4, 2026. Latest action: Introduction and first reading, referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy (May 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored HF5111?
- Roger Skraba (R).
- Where is the official record for HF5111?
- On the Minnesota Legislature website: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=HF5111&y=2025&ssn=0&b=house
Source: official Minnesota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.