Bill > HF5111

This bill amends existing Minnesota law to prohibit the use of sonar technology when fishing for muskellunge or northern pike in specific waters. Sonar, in this context, refers to advanced fish-finding technologies like live imaging sonar, forward-facing sonar, omnidirectional sonar, and drones, as well as any associated equipment, software, or systems that use artificial intelligence, predictive modeling, or real-time data processing to locate or target these fish. The prohibition applies to waters identified by the commissioner of natural resources as having naturally reproducing muskellunge populations that are not primarily maintained through stocking. The bill also establishes conditions under which possessing such equipment on or near these waters is considered evidence of a violation, unless the equipment is completely powered off, disconnected, and secured to prevent immediate operation.