![]() It is important to note that the proposed “No Junk Fish” bill would only create conservation protections for fish species that are native to Minnesota. Black buffalo are listed as threatened in both states. These include river redhorse, and greater redhorse (threatened), as well as goldeye and black redhorse (endangered). ![]() Winter also notes that many fish classified as rough fish in Minnesota are listed as threatened or endangered species in Wisconsin. Croix Falls dam, however, the lone remaining elderly population of spectaclecase mussels that lives in the upper river is no longer able to reproduce. Because these fish no longer live north of the St. Croix River and requires goldeye and mooneye to reproduce. For example, the federally endangered spectaclecase mussel lives in the St. In further proof that everything in nature is connected, some species of rough fish also act as larval hosts for threatened and endangered mussels populations. “Right now, eagles are sitting on eggs in their nests that will hatch when the suckers spawn. “One thing I like to emphasize is that native rough fish play a critical ecological role in supporting clean water and charismatic animals like eagles and otters,” Winter explains. The DNR also reclassified burbot, whitefish, and cisco as game fish, meaning they’re now subject to fishing seasons and catch limits. Similar new legislation, passed in 2021, went into effect this week and sets a 10-fish possession limit for longnose and shortnose gar. The fish will, for the first time ever in Minnesota, be protected in ways similar to other gamefish. Photo courtesy of Solomon David. A longnose gar, a freshwater fish native to North America. The proposal, which has passed both the Senate and House Environmental committees, would provide funding for the DNR to study native fish species that are currently classified as rough fish and propose updated regulations to better manage and protect their populations. This spring, Minnesota lawmakers consider new legislation, known as the “ No Junk Fish” bill, which is supported by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Izaak Walton League, Native Fish for Tomorrow, and numerous other conservation organizations. Croix is home to many species of threatened fish. The same can be said below Taylor’s Falls. “They obviously are not inexhaustible, since they have been extirpated from the upper river and many inland streams. The fact some species of “rough” fish are missing above Taylor’s Falls, despite the exceptional water quality, highlights the real threats facing these fish,” Winter says.
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