Bill > SF5119

This bill amends existing Minnesota law to prohibit the use of certain sonar technologies when fishing for muskellunge or northern pike in specific waters. Specifically, it adds a new section that bans the use or possession of live imaging sonar, forward-facing sonar, omnidirectional sonar, drones, or any related equipment, software, or systems that use artificial intelligence, predictive modeling, real-time data processing, or wireless communication to locate, track, or target these fish. This prohibition applies to waters identified by the commissioner where muskellunge populations naturally reproduce and are not primarily maintained through stocking. The bill also establishes a presumption of violation if such equipment is possessed on or near these waters, unless it is completely powered off and disconnected in a way that prevents immediate reactivation. This change aims to protect these specific fish populations by limiting advanced electronic fishing aids.