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SF 5119

Use of sonar prohibition when fishing for muskellunge or northern pike in certain waters

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Hoffman

Prohibits using live imaging sonar and related AI/enhanced tools for muskellunge or northern pike in naturally reproducing waters, with presumptive violation rules.

Referred to Environment, Climate, and Legacy
#fishandfishing #naturalresourcesandnaturalresourcesdepartment
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Bill Summary · SF 5119

Summary of SF 5119 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Purpose and intent

SF 5119 amends Minnesota statute to prohibit the use of sonar and related technologies when fishing for muskellunge (muskie) or northern pike in certain waters. The bill targets waters identified by the commissioner as those where muskellunge populations naturally reproduce and are not primarily maintained through stocking. The overarching goal is to limit advanced sensing technologies that could give anglers an unfair advantage in pursuing these species in ecologically sensitive or naturally reproducing populations.

Key provisions and changes

  • Prohibition on sonar use while fishing for muskellunge or northern pike (Subd. 2):
    • In waters designated by the commissioner as naturally reproducing muskie waters (not primarily stocked), it is unlawful to:
    • Use, operate, or possess:
      • Live imaging sonar, forward-facing sonar, omnidirectional sonar, or drones.
      • Equipment, software, or systems that enhance live imaging sonar (including AI, predictive modeling, real-time data processing, or wireless communication intended to locate or target muskellunge or northern pike).
  • Presumption of violation through possession (Subd. 2(b)):
    • Possessing any listed sonar-related devices in or on waters meeting the designation (or on their shores/islands) is presumptive evidence of a violation, unless:
    • The equipment is powered off.
    • All power and transducer cables are physically disconnected from the unit.
    • All disconnected power leads and transducer connections are visibly secured to prevent immediate reconnection (e.g., capped, taped, clamped).
    • The equipment/software/system cannot be made operational via wireless, remote, or software/app-based activation without a deliberate physical connection.
  • Other restrictions on artificial lights (Subd. 1):
    • Prohibits using artificial lights to lure or attract fish while spearing, with certain exceptions for angling/spearing (e.g., lighted lures on a fishing line, lighted decoys for spearing).
    • Battery used in lighted lures must not contain mercury.
    • Restrictions do not apply to bow fishing.

Who would be affected

  • Anglers fishing for muskellunge or northern pike in designated waters (naturally reproducing muskie populations) would face new restrictions on sonar-related devices.
  • Manufacturers, retailers, and users of sonar equipment, live-imaging technologies, AI-enabled fishing tools, drones, and related software could be impacted in terms of legal use in specific Minnesota waters.
  • Enforcement agencies would assess compliance through possession and operational status of the listed devices, with the presumptive evidence framework guiding violations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced and referred to the Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy committee on April 14, 2026.
  • Effective date: Not specified in the text provided; typical implementation would follow enactment and any published effective date in the final statute.

Notable details

  • The bill focuses on “waters where muskellunge populations are naturally reproducing and not primarily maintained through stocking,” indicating an emphasis on preserving naturally reproducing populations.
  • The prohibition includes both physical devices and software/systems that enhance sonar capabilities, including AI and real-time data features.
  • A robust safety/net is included to avoid circumvention, requiring explicit steps (power off, disconnection, securement) to negate presumptive violation status.

Overall, SF 5119 aims to reduce advanced sensing technologies’ impact on muskellunge and northern pike fishing in sensitive waters, balancing conservation goals with existing fishing practices.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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