Blue lake

[big44]

8-9 inches ice, snow covered, fishing fair, 20 vehicles

[T.R.]

Any crappie?

[big44]

Just perch, a few came across the screen

[Gip19]

So what is the truth to people using minnows on blue I didn't think this was Allowed

[IceHutt]

Yes, what is the skinny on using minnows on Blue?  I was hoping that maybe Daryl B. could help us out.  I have heard the the state says ok but the feds say no.....so what is with that?  Who has the final say so?  Thanks.  Happy trails!  D Hutt

[T.R.]

Kind of like the whole marijuana deal. Feds say no and some states say yes. Pretty much  a grey area

[Showdown56]

Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrrrrrrrrrrrrr...g., but I believe Blue is a NGPC managed lake and NOT a Fed Refuge (Crescent) lake.  Similar to Big Alkali, next to the Fed Valentine Refuge lakes.

NO minnows on Fed Managed lakes.  Minnows allowed at Big Alkali but NOT on Clear, Dewey, Duck...

Of course, some NGPC managed lakes (especially recently renovated lakes) have no live baitfish rules on them.

Someone out there call the NGPC Alliance office for the real story!

[T.R.]

The problem is a small portion of blue lake falls on the crescent lake NWR. So does the restriction apply to only that part of the lake? Can you guarantee your minnows wont swim onto the refuge if they get off the hook? Or does it apply to the whole water body? I have called several people with game and parks and have not recieved a firm answer from any of them. One game warden says no foul, one issues a citation. The feds seem to think it applies to the lake too from what I have heard.  But then if that is the case, why is fishing allowed? There are several lakes on the refuge that are stocked with fish, but only a few are open to fishing. So technically blue is not open to fishing within the refuge. But then international water use laws come into play too. If you can get access to the water on public land,  theoreticaly you should be able to access the water surface as long as you dont touch the ground underneath. It is all one big mess that needs to be straightened out. Nobody knows whats going on, and people are being cited because of it.

[SLAYERFISH]

The way I read the regs, It says "no live minnows on the refuge".  The access road is not on the refuge nor do you enter the refuge at any time. Therefore minnows are legal IMO.  I had a bucketfull the other day and I will have another bucketfull my next trip-

[dj41]

Has anyone been ticketed by the Feds on Blue?

[swampdonkeyice]

Blue winter killed, dont waste your time

[Sandbilly]

I visited with Joe from Alliance G&P this morning. Minnows ARE ALLOWED on Blue Lake. Mostly due red tape involved between state and federal reg changes. There is a possibility of a no bait fish regulation change in the future, but not at this time.

Joe also wanted me to add road conditions are not good getting into Blue. High winds continue to drift snow into tracks. 4wd is a must. Deviating off trail will offend land owner and lake closure will ensue.

dc   

[Showdown56]

I visited with Joe from Alliance G&P this morning. Minnows ARE ALLOWED on Blue Lake. Mostly due red tape involved between state and federal reg changes. There is a possibility of a no bait fish regulation change in the future, but not at this time.

Joe also wanted me to add road conditions are not good getting into Blue. High winds continue to drift snow into tracks. 4wd is a must. Deviating off trail will offend land owner and lake closure will ensue.

dc   

Thank you, Sandbilly!

[Gip19]

There sure have been alot of people there if it has winter killed they all must be wasteing there time as well no day on the lake is a waste even if it is a bad day
i am hopeing Daryl B could chime in on this as well

[funtwohunt]

Don't know if it winter killed, can't imagine it did. But it has been almost killed by over fishing it. Just my two cents.

[jimyoumook]

just checked my new copy of the 2015 regs nothing about bait restrictions

[IceHutt]

One thing about these grey areas,  the Judge presiding over the court where the person was given the citation will decide the outcome of the verdict, not the NGP or the NPS.  IMO, a truely discerning warden will probably not want  to write a citation concerning grey areas of the law, because they may put themselves in a position of becoming embarrassed in front of the Judge.  The courts usually frown on having their time wasted.... 

[Showdown56]

Sandbilly's report makes the answer black and white.

Nothing gray on Blue Lake and use of minnows.

[SLAYERFISH]

Sandbilly's report makes the answer black and white.

Nothing gray on Blue Lake and use of minnows.

^^X2^^^

[T.R.]

That is what the term grey area means. Nothing says you can or cant but there is a regulation on the refuge against minnows. Where part of the lake is on the refuge, nobody knew how to interpret the law, including the game and parks until now. I have talked to several people in the game and fish and the usfws  and none gave me a firm answer. If you received that answer out of alliance I would get it in writing and go with it.

[whitetips]

That is what the term grey area means. Nothing says you can or cant but there is a regulation on the refuge against minnows. Where part of the lake is on the refuge, nobody knew how to interpret the law, including the game and parks until now. I have talked to several people in the game and fish and the usfws  and none gave me a firm answer. If you received that answer out of alliance I would get it in writing and go with it.

That is exactly what "Sandbilly" is telling you.  Go with it.

Daryl B.