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

This bill prohibits the use of sonar and related advanced technologies to locate or target muskellunge and northern pike in specific Minnesota waters. The restrictions apply only to lakes where these fish populations are naturally reproducing rather than primarily maintained through stocking. Anglers in these designated areas will be banned from using equipment such as live imaging sonar, drones, or systems that use artificial intelligence to track fish. The law also clarifies existing rules on artificial lights, allowing their use for spearing only under limited conditions while banning mercury batteries in fishing lures.