Northfield Postpones 'No-Fishing Zone' on Riverwalk

The Northfield City Council indefinitely postponed a proposed no-fishing zone along the Riverwalk Tuesday.

According to Northfield News, the proposal would have restricted fishing along the Riverwalk 185 feet north from the Fourth Street bridge.

The restricted space would have only covered 65 feet of the actual walk. Supporters hoped the restriction would prevent lures from being cast near the patio of riverside restaurant Froggy Bottoms.

Police Chief Monte Nelson says he's had difficulty mediating situations where a fisherman has casted in or near one of the patios.

"There is signage indicating ‘no fishing’ in this area. However, the city attorney has indicated that without an ordinance prohibiting the fishing, it ultimately is not enforceable," Nelson wrote in the proposal.

"Some fishermen have not cooperated, and in fact, have been rather indignant, knowing there was no enforceable law we could use to make them move."

"I’m more than a little conflicted by this," said councilor David DeLong.

"Long before Froggy Bottoms was there, fishing was there. The city can regulate, but some of this is sounding more like prohibit than regulate."

Rather than rejecting the proposal, councillors agree to postpone the proposal indefinitely so that discussions count continue.

Read more at Northfield News.

Image: Steve Moses via Flickr /Creative Commons