Resolve, To Allow the Use of Live Bait When Ice Fishing in Certain Waters of the State

Sec. 1. Live bait rule change. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall amend Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife rules concerning ice fishing in waters of the State to allow the use of live bait on the following lakes: Chase Lake, T9 R10 WELS; Munsungan Lake, T8 R9, T8 R10, T9 R10 WELS; Wheelock Lake, St. John Plantation; Millimagassett Lake, T7 R8 WELS; Millinocket Lake and Little Millinocket Lake, T7 R9, T8 R9, T7 R10 WELS; Twin Island Pond, Lowelltown Township; Webster Lake, T6 R10, T6 R11 WELS; Mountain Catcher Pond, T6 R8 WELS; Fish Pond, Holeb Township; and Attean Pond, Attean Township; and be it further

Sec. 2. Review and report. Resolved: That the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall review the issue of the use of live bait for ice fishing and shall examine and establish guidelines on the use of live bait and is authorized to submit legislation related to its findings to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.

summary

This resolve directs the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to reverse recent rulemaking that is effective April 1, 2013. Those proposals prohibit the use of live bait for ice fishing in specific lakes. The resolve also requires the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to review the issue of live bait and authorizes the committee to submit legislation.