For more information on ownership restrictions and ways to catch baitfish, see Pennsylvania Fishing Laws and Regulations. 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. The following species can be legally used as live or dead bait: 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. Any legally caught species can be used as bait, with the exception of lamprey, carp and goldfish. However, non-wild fish caught in the above waters can legally be used as live bait in the same waters where they were caught. 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. Fathead minnow, finned 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 possession and use of native live baitfish is legal in Kentucky.
I found more information specifically for baitfish. I just wanted to share. From this pageRegulationsA fishing licence is required to collect minnows and mussels as bait. Each person may own up to 100 crabs or up to 500 crabs and baitfish in total, including minnows, suckers up to 10 inches, silvery sides of stream, stream sticklebacks, gizzards, largemouth bass, sculpins, darts, topminnows and mudminnows. Clams, bivalve molluscs or mussel shells may not be caught, kept or collected for any purpose. Other baits, including nocturnal caterpillars, red worms, leeches, waxworms, mice, hellgrammites and other larval aquatic insects, can be possessed in any quantity. It is illegal to use fish species that do not already reside in Ohio waters. The mesh size of minnow calves should not exceed 1/2 inch. The maximum size of a seine in the inland fishing district is 4 feet x 8 feet.
In Lake Erie, calves can be of any size. It is forbidden to catch calves between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. It is illegal to use a calf in a lake, pond or inland water area owned or controlled by the Wildlife Division. It is illegal to take bait at King`s Creek between C.R. 223 and the Mad River. Immersion net meshes (square) should not exceed 1/2 inch. The maximum size on each side of the diving nets is 4 feet in the inland fishing district, 6 feet in the Lake Erie district. It is illegal to use a square-meshed molded net less than 1/4 inch or more than 1 inch on one side or less than 6 feet or more than 10 feet in diameter. Bait traps should not exceed 12 x 24 inches. Openings should not be more than one inch in diameter. Fish caught using legal fishing methods (e.g.
Bluegill caught with a hook and a line) can be used as bait. A bait dealer`s licence is required for persons selling minnows, crabs or hellgrammites. For more information, visit our page on aquaculture. Any unusual or apparently rare species of fish encountered when catching seines or bait must be released. The chance of catching an endangered fish is so unlikely that it shouldn`t stop anyone from collecting baitfish. Ohio`s endangered species include 30 mussels, 3 lampreys, and 17 or more small fish that could be found when collecting bait. The endangered status of these fish and shellfish is due to habitat change primarily caused by (1) siltation by soil erosion, resulting in loss of clear water and spawning habitat; (2) the construction of dams to prevent fish from reaching their spawning grounds upstream; (3) deterioration of water quality due to acid mine drainage, urban waste water discharges and industrial and agricultural discharges; and (4) loss of aquatic habitat due to drainage activities and stream channeling. Any non-native species may be used illegally as bait, unless it is already established in the respective waters. It is also illegal to release such species into the waters of this state.
The following species may be legally used as live bait by licensed fishermen and imported, exported or sold by licensed bait dealers: Minnows, sharks and some sucking fish may be legally used as live bait in certain Alabama waters. They are obtained using casting nets, minnow jugs, minnow baskets, diving nets or Elnow seines. The use of shad, minnows and crabs as live bait is legal in the state of Illinois. It is legal to use all types of freshwater minnows as live bait. They can only be caught with minnow traps, diving nets and seines. In Wyoming, the use of live baitfish is illegal in most areas and waters. It is illegal to use wild fish, goldfish or carp as bait in whole or in part in the state of Minnesota. In waters where fish are protected, the following species may be used illegally: In North Carolina, wild inland fish and non-wild fish may be used as bait if they have been caught legally and within the boundaries and sizes of the respective water gates. The use of certain live baitfish is legal in the state of Massachusetts.
The use of live bait is legal in the state of Hawaii, but requires a baitfish license to obtain, possess and use baitfish for fishing purposes. Live bait fishing is legal in Colorado, but limited to certain species and areas. In Indiana, any fish caught legally can be used as bait. This even includes live goldfish. In addition, the possession and use of minnows as live bait is illegal in Deer and Swan Creek, Harford County. The use of wild fish and wild fish parts is illegal, with the exception of yellow perch eyes, trout and salmon eggs. It is legal to fish with live minnows in the state of Delaware. 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. In Idaho, fishing with live bait is not legal.
However, the state has daily limits on the number of baitfish and some specific regional regulations. Any non-wild fish can be legally used as bait in Oklahoma. Sunfish, tilapia, carp and gizzard species may only be used locally in designated legal areas and waters. It is illegal to transport these species to or from these waters. However, it is illegal to use the following fish as live bait: The following baitfish are the only species that can be purchased and used in any body of water in New York where it is legal to use fish as bait: With the exception of licensed bait dealers, anglers are prohibited from owning more than 100 crabs or 500 crabs in combination. Minnows and other baitfish. A bait dealer`s licence is required for people who buy or sell minnows, crabs and crabs from hell. The release of baitfish or minnows in waters from which they do not originate is also prohibited. It is illegal to use wild fish species as bait, with the exception of bream. Farmed baitfish purchased from a certified dealer can also be used as bait in any water body in the state. Herring, whitefish and other species that do not have seasonal or fishing restrictions may be used as live baitfish for saltwater fishing. The following species, when legally caught by fishing, net, seine or diving, may be used as live and dead bait: Fishermen with a valid fishing licence may transport live minnows for their personal use.
It is also legal to use legally caught wild fish as live bait on hooks and leashes. * Free reprints will be available from March wildohio.gov, 1, 2017. Fishing with live baitfish is illegal in the state of Utah! In addition, the transport of live bait is also illegal, which is why fish must be killed before they can be used as dead bait. The use of live minnows or other live bait is illegal in Oregon. In South Dakota, only bulls and baitfish can legally be used as bait when fishing. In Texas, all non-wild fish can be legally used as bait. Baitfish caught may only be used in the stream, lake or large inland lake or in connecting water where the fish were caught. Ohio Current (2019) Fishery Regulations: wildlife.ohio. Wild fish can also be legally used as live bait (when live bait is legal) if they are legally caught and do not exceed daily control and ownership limits.
In Iowa, it is legal to use certain fish as live bait. Fishing with live bait is legal in the state of Missouri.