I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

[paultjohnson]

Happy 4th of July everyone. A new law in MN requires you to have the transom bilge drainplug REMOVED ANYTIME you are trailering your boat.. It is designed to help prevent the spread of invasive species. I am all for that, and I can understand if ya have live wells etc.... I dont, and my bilge is always bone dry... At least it will be untill I launch with no plug,:facepalm: It is just a matter of time. Its another thing { A BIG THING }to have to remember in the prep area. Do other states have this ?

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

Never heard of that one where I live, but we do have checkpoints all over the place this year, it seems like if your towing a boat, you have to stop every few miles and have your boat checked by the goon squad!

 

[jbjennings]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

State agencies can basically make any law they want to make. You'll follow it or else. Happy 4th of July!
JBJ

 

[southkogs]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

Never heard of that here in TN. Which is why I always have a back up in the glove box of the boat ... because I have forgotten before :facepalm:

 

[jigngrub]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

Don't have that law here in 'Bama, but we don't have many invasive species either.

If you have a Transom Saver (motor toter) on your boat you should notice your drain plug when removing it. Maybe even write "Don't Forget the Plug!" on it in magic marker.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

I never trailered with my plug in anyway. Another extranneous law that won't solve any problems, though.

 

[roscoe]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

MN dnr is giving these away to remind you.







Or, they were giving them away, before the gov't shut down last week.

 

[Smuggler's Blues]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

Reminds me of another thread I saw here the other day. I cant remember what the title of the thread was or who posted it though. The one with the PMS referance. PLUG/MOTOR/SAFETY.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

Hi Pauly! Not sure about WI. I know you have to drain everything. And if you have a weed hanging from the trailer while going down the road they can bust ya. I always unscrew the plug b/4 I leave the landing. It stays attached to the hull. Then scew it back in b/4 I leave the house to go to the lake....... I like Mn's commercials to get rid of all "unwanted" bait. Who says I don't want it! Nice little racket for the bait stores. I understand what each state is trying to avoid. Just sometimes they go a little too far. IMO

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

MN dnr is giving these away to remind you.


View attachment 101367



Or, they were giving them away, before the gov't shut down last week.

I would think that would help. Mr DNR must not of had any available when he was educating me at the launch

Hi Pauly! Not sure about WI. I know you have to drain everything. And if you have a weed hanging from the trailer while going down the road they can bust ya. I always unscrew the plug b/4 I leave the landing. It stays attached to the hull. Then scew it back in b/4 I leave the house to go to the lake....... I like Mn's commercials to get rid of all "unwanted" bait. Who says I don't want it! Nice little racket for the bait stores. I understand what each state is trying to avoid. Just sometimes they go a little too far. IMO

Hey WM....Thats what I like to do as well. Plug goes back in as part of my home pretrip, run on muffs, check fluids, trailer etc

The simplest and most reliable way I've found to remember the plug is to attach it to the key ring when its out of the drain.

Thats not a bad idea, I would still end up taking on a gallon or two as the trailer would be backed into the water for a short b 4 I before i got to the key. BUT, I wouldn't launch it and sink, I would catch it in time...good idea.

i expected more states had the same law...interesting.. maybe Mn will reconsider after they get enough sunkin'boat complaints... Thx for everyones thoughts.......................

 

[Icyharp]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

Ya I got one of those stickers when I launched as well in MN and was reminded of the law which I already knew. It does not bother me, even though I too do not have a cooler, or live well in my boat either. This weekend in WI I was aproached and answered some more questions about my awareness, then another inspection of my boat and trailer. Upon coming out of the water the same guy was there and walked up and gave me a one of them grabber things to remove weeds. As far as I know in WI you have to have the plug out as well while trailering your boat. Actually I don't care, ya one more thing to remember while preppeing, but no big deal, the law in MN has been been around since July 2010. Just remember they can nail you for trailering with the plug in as well as any weed on your boat or trailer, and water in a live well.....

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

We get inspected in every State lake, I leave my plug out while trailering anyway and the plug is just part of me and my wifes routine so its not an issue but I can certainly see how another step instituted by the state would irritate me as well, problem is I believe its going to happen everywhere fellas so you may as well get used to it.

 

[catfishhunter1981]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

Wisconsin's law is close to yours. We also have to pull all the weeds off boat and trailer of coarse, dump minnows in garbage and are advised not to visit different water bodies in the same day, and have to drain the bilge once out, but mine is always dry as well. Friend of mine got a ticket last fall when we were out duck hunting cause he didn't pull the weeds off his decoys. $264 Its all about the money, but i clean my decoys now

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

I have no problem whatsoever with the inspections and legitimate efforts to minimize invasive and non-native species. There is a constant issue here with people bringing in chubs and shiners for bait. Eliminating them may be a losing battle but one that is well worth the effort.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

Now here is my idea, I have a design for a plug that is installed, then opens when boat is out of the water, open when water is present running at plane on the water. Works well on my boat, I built myself

 

[rogerwa]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

THis will be a great idea until someone forgets to put the plug and sinks at the dock. They will proceed to blame the state. I can see it now.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

WHAT! You have to be kidding me. Well I'm not obiding by that law. My boat stays bone dry as well.

 

[Icyharp]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

WHAT! You have to be kidding me. Well I'm not obiding by that law. My boat stays bone dry as well.

LOL the law has been in effect since July 1st of 2010 and you just now find out? The problem with not obiding is the fact you can be pulled over while towing your boat on any road in MN and ticketed if the plug is in......like it has been said I am sure all states will adapt it at some point. For myself anytime I bring my boat into MN I make sure it is out, I don't like giving anyone the chance to take my money.

 

[sasto]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

Don't have that law here in 'Bama, but we don't have many invasive species either.

Hopefully not in your area, jigngrub, but I've traveled down the Tenn and TennTom Rivers to Mobile many times and came across acres of hydrilla floating and zebra mussels in my seastrainer.

You guys do your best to combat those invasive species as well as you can. Our enviroment is important to me and education is a must. Here in Florida we have Lionfish damaging our reefs. Folks let them out of their aquarium because they were eating the other fish. At this point we are spearing them, but some of us are pushing the state to reward something ($, t-shirt) for each Lionfish killed.

Good Luck......and be vigilant

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: I hate this new Minnesota law, Do other states have it ?

I wish the authorities were as vigilant when those @#*&!_^% fire ants came ashore in Mobile, AL in 1929!

As users of this nations natural resources, each of us has do what we can to protect them. Sometimes it's a losing battle and when I go back to my childhood home and see all that has happened to some of the places I enjoyed as a kid, well I think you know what I mean. Is it really hard to pick up after yourself, clean your boat and pull a plug to protect what we have?