minnows legal/illegal

[mark p]

Thought I would post this since it was stated incorrectly in another thread. It IS legal to use minnows on a designated trout stream as long as live bait isn't prohibited on that stream. It is illegal to use minnows on a designated stream trout LAKE. Here is the rule from the regulations book.

Possessing live minnows or using them for bait on designated stream trout lakes is prohibited. Only dried, frozen, or pickled (brined) minnows are allowed. Live leeches are legal to use.

[Scudly]

Interesting. I've never tried minnows. Closest thing, chub tail. Just got off the

phone with the DNR. Related topic.

What does the MN DNR define as bait? Seems simple but it is not.

Called up DNR yesterday.  I asked if Gulp Alive is legal in no bait areas.  Just got back to me this morning.  Gulp Alive is legal in no bait areas.  Yet if you go to Berkley site you will also see some PowerBait are plastic.  Their dough (mold into worm) is also under thr PowerBait trade name.  

So it is not so clear cut as to what "no bait allowed" actually means.  The DNR guy told me they will be working on a clear deffinition to be updated in the regulation books.  

Dough, oatmeal, corn, cheese, worms, wax worms, powerbait "dough" are considered bait.  

Artificial would include any type of plastic, metal, wood, or fly imitating life.  For worms you can use scented too like the Gulp Alive stuff.       Well when using powerbait dough it also immitates life. You roll it out between palms of hand to look like a worm and imbed in a hook.

[waterbound]

Thanks for the correction mark. I must have gotten it in my head that because it is not legal to use minnows on designated stream trout lakes it would not be legal on streams. I still don't think I will...can you imagine trying to drag a minnow bucket behind you in a small stream?

[Scudly]

I have never seen anyone fishing a trout stream with minnows. One company makes a battery operated container that keeps an aerator going but still if you don't keep them cold they will belly up quick. Maybe makes a little sense sitting at a deep hole at a bridge but still it would be easier to just use worms or even a can of corn (still popular method in IA).

[s t fanatic]

it is a total pain to haul a minnow bucket along. like stated above they go belly up quick. i have had marginal success with them early season. im guessing for the sole reason that they stay healthier for a longer period.

fanatic

[Arctic]

Dead minnows work great for ice-fishing stream trout in lakes. We buy live chubs and each angler has a baggy with salt in it. Put a handfull of minnows in each bag. Minnows die, but remain firm and fresh. Great for jigging.

[grate8]

te real question is: is human flesh considered bait???

[Arctic]

Good question. The next time you're on the ice, take out the fillet knife, slice off a chunk of meat from your rump, place it on a hook, and drop it down the hole. You might be onto a new type of fishing. It might even put the bait shops out of business!!