Know The Hunting And Fishing Regs Before You Enjoy The Mississippi River

An article from WWA’s Words From The Wardens.

This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s April 2023 eNewsletter

By DNR Warden Bob Jumbeck

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.

I have witnessed the growing interest in waterfowl hunting – 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.

Mississippi River Regulated By More Than DNR

 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’ve been based out of Buffalo County for nearly 19 years, and my service territory includes Pools 4, 5 and 5A.

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.

I find most river users want to do it the right way. I’m happy to take the calls and answer questions so they enjoy the river correctly – from the start.

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.

Starting Rules To Remember

 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.

Wisconsin and Minnesota enjoy a reciprocity agreement for fishing the entire river between the states – or, more precisely – between the railroad tracks which parallel the river.

The Canadian Pacific in Minnesota and the BNSF Railway in Wisconsin are the two railroad tracks. We call it track-the-track, 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’t stop there.

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’s main channel. Even though both states try to work toward consistent regulations, there are law differences on the river.

  • For example, if you fish with your Wisconsin license on the Minnesota side, you must follow their rule of two-lines-only. On the Wisconsin side, there’s a limit of three lines. Always check the regulations from the respective state you’re fishing.

There is no reciprocity agreement between the states for waterfowl hunting on the river. You must hold the state license and limit your hunting to that state. If you are a Wisconsin resident and possess a Wisconsin waterfowl license, you only have the authority to hunt the Wisconsin portion of the river. If you want to hunt in the Minnesota portion of the river, you must hold a non-resident Minnesota license.

Two Cases Of Not Knowing – Or Why You Should Do Your Research!

Here are two cases from the last waterfowl season demonstrating the importance of taking the time to research and follow the rules.

The case of three Minnesota duck hunters demonstrates this point. The hunters launched in the dark on the Minnesota side of the river. They used an app to find what appeared to be a choice spot to hunt. However, the three did not realize they had selected a federal-closed area on the Wisconsin side. Additionally, none of the three had a Wisconsin license as required.

One of the three detailed how they did their research on their phone app. If you use a phone map app, check for the various layers you can apply – there may be a layer of closed areas. If you don’t use a phone app, the maps and information are online, and wardens can answer questions.

The second case also involved three hunters new to the river. These three believed they had found a perfect spot to enjoy their early teal season opener. They scouted the day before but had not seen the posted signs defining the federal-closed waterfowl hunting area. All closed areas are highlighted on the USFWS pool maps and posted with signs before the start of the season. They, too, were hunting in a closed area and did not have the required concealment on their vessel.

Final Thoughts

Check the maps or ask a warden. It is a beautiful river with incredible recreational opportunities. The Wisconsin DNR, Minnesota DNR, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service work in concert to keep it that way for all of us to enjoy.

Here’s wishing you a great year on the water.