New USFWS regs in 2008 within the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge

Don't forget that some new regulations are in effect on Pools 4-14 in 2008 that will impact Mississippi River bass fishing. included are some new slow/no-wake areas and speed/distance regulation areas. The most controversial and possibly most difficult to abide by may be the speed/distance regulation for Spring Lake on Pool 13. The regulation is posted as “Slow, 5 mph When Boats Present” and marked on maps as “Speed/Distance Regulation.” The reg requires watercraft operators to reduce the speed of their watercraft to less than 5 mph when within 100 feet of another watercraft that is anchored or underway at 5 mph or less. With Spring Lake's shallow water and boat paths narrowed by vegetation in summer, bass fishermen here historically tolerate other boats passing them at close range on plane due to the inability for everybody to get back up once coming off plane. It will be interesting to see how this regulation works out. You can review all changes on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site.