All fishers with a valid licence can obtain such fish using casting nets, shad shovels and minnow seines and use them as bait. The commercial collection and sale of minnows, crabs and wild crabs requires a permit from MNR and a monthly harvest report to the ministry. It is important to remember that the minimum length of a species always applies and that all baitfish caught must be counted towards the daily catch limit. In addition, all baitfish may only be caught and used in the same water and may not be transported to other state waters. Round gobies, tubular-nosed gobies, goldfish, comets, koi carp and carp. Minnows, golden minnows and goldfish, including salted blackfish. Minnows, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, frogs, crabs, salamanders and mussels. *The Stint can only be removed with a hook and leash. The possession or use of smelt as bait in inland waters at a time other than the melting season is illegal. Protected live fish, cooked, goldfish, carp, river carp, smallmouth chamois and bullfrogs or tadpoles. The state of New Jersey allows the use of live bait in all freshwater areas of the state. Anyone with a valid fishing licence is allowed to use live baitfish. In waters where live bait can be used, only non-wild fish can be used as bait.
In addition, the import and export of live baitfish is prohibited. All species of bream can be used as live bait as long as they are harvested legally and do not exceed the daily limit at the door. New Hampshire allows the possession and use of the following species as live fish as bait in all freshwater areas of the state: His, ejected nets, and minnow traps can be used to obtain minnows. A person cannot possess more than 50 minnows at a time, unless the live bait is from a licensed dealer and a contract of sale can be presented. All wild fish, non-wild fish, goldfish and minnows can legally be used as live bait in the state of Mississippi as long as daily limits are respected and they have been legally caught. Minnows, bluegill, bluegill, bluegill, carp, sunfish, gizzard, sculpin, white-snouted and long-nosed sucker, yellow perch and rainbow smelt. Live bait fishing is an extremely effective way to catch fish, but it is regulated differently from state to state. Since I personally enjoy fishing with live baitfish, I did extensive research on all 50 states in the United States. In addition, the possession and use of minnows as live bait is illegal in Deer and Swan Creek, Harford County.
Anglingers can also use legally caught sport fish on hooks and lines as bait. A bait seller`s licence is required to sell, give or provide bait to others. Sunfish, bluegill, hybrid bluegills and yellow perch. However, it is illegal to use the following fish as live bait: The state has a long list of aquatic areas where the use of live bait is prohibited. The possession and use of live bait is only legal in the following areas: The state of Montana has very strict laws regarding the use of live bait. With few exceptions, it is illegal to use live fish as bait in this state. The state of Nevada largely prohibits the use of live bait. However, some regional exceptions are listed.
To harvest, buy and resell live baitfish and smelt for sale, you must hold a valid bait dealer licence (Retail Bait Licence, Bait Wholesale Licence or Wholesale Bait Licence). For more information on licensing requirements or licensing, contact MTIFM at (207) 287-8000 or visit the Bait Distributor Licence page. For more information on jurisdictions and respective waters, see the Arizona Game and Fish Fishing Regulations. The size of baitfish should not exceed 12 inches and the daily possession limit is 500 fish per person. Minnesota allows the use of a variety of live and dead bait for fishing, including minnows. For detailed information on baitfish harvesting methods, smelt seasons and other regulations, see the Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Regulations. The use of wild fish and wild fish parts is illegal, with the exception of yellow perch eyes, trout and salmon eggs. Anglers can have a maximum of 25 non-wild fish as bait per day, with the exception of shad, which has a maximum daily possession limit of 200 percent. In Vermont, the use of live bait is legal and encouraged by special “baitfish zones” that allow anglers to catch live bait in most of the state`s waters and use it in other waters. It is legal to use live bait in certain areas of the state of Arizona. Fishing with live bait is legal in the state of Missouri.
To report information on illegal importation, please call 1-800-ALERTUS (253-7887) Live bait fishing is legal in Colorado, but limited to certain species and areas. All VHS rules and seasonal restrictions for baitfish species also apply. It is illegal to use wild fish species as bait, with the exception of bream. The use of wild fish or parts of wild fish as bait is prohibited in Texas. In Washington State, it is illegal to catch wild fish with live bait. It is illegal to use or possess the following species as bait: It is illegal to import live baitfish or melt them into the state of Maine. This law helps keep Maine`s waters healthy by limiting the introduction of diseases and parasites of exotic fish, exotic fish species, invasive plants, and other unwanted aquatic life that can irreversibly damage Maine`s natural resources. Do your part by using only legal baitfish species caught locally when fishing in Maine.
The following fish are not allowed as bait in the State of Florida: Live baitfish cannot be moved from one body of water to another! Menow, walleye minnow and goldfish, skipjack herring, gizzard esia, threadlike shad, fathead minnow, goldfish, sunfish, rainbow trout, stone rollers, stream minnow, grey-nosed minnow, bull-headed minnow. In addition, minnows, raw non-wild fish and non-wild fish can be harvested for personal use as bait without the need for a valid commercial fishing licence. For more information on ownership restrictions and ways to catch baitfish, see Pennsylvania Fishing Laws and Regulations. Pro tip: If you want to improve your fishing, check out this helpful expert guide to catching and fishing with live bait on Amazon here. Black bass and crappie can only be caught with a hook and a line when used as live bait. Freshwater shrimp and shiny walleye fish of any size or other non-wild freshwater fish, including catfish, with a total length of less than 8 inches, may be taken as bait, unless expressly prohibited, by the following methods: The State of California has approved several species of fish as live or dead bait. However, regulations vary considerably from district to district. Some species of fish can be legally used as live bait in the state of Alabama. Thick-headed minnow, shad, mosquitofish, golden lusterfish and goldfish may be used as live bait in all waters of legal areas where fishing with live bait is permitted. It is legal to transport these species in the waters of legal areas. The use of live minnows or other live bait is illegal in Oregon.
Also, keep in mind that any fish caught and used as bait should count towards your daily pocket limit.
