The use of live minnows is prohibited

[Huntin&Fishin]

On a lake where it says "The use of live minnows is prohibited" would it be illegal to use heads or tails of minnows?

[Cliff Wagenbach]

The key word is "LIVE" !

Dead minnows,(preserved minnows), or parts of minnows can be used.

Be sure that you do not have any live minnows in your possession while on those waters!

Cliff

[reinhard1]

this is from page 21 in the new fishin regs. 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. of course nightcrawlers also [my favorite open water go to bait]. good luck.

[Great Outdoors]

Nothing new about that.

Those are the same regs they've had for years.

[reinhard1]

you are right. the way i phrased it, it sounds like they are new. it's from the new 2011 fishing rig book is what i should have said. good luck.

[Northlander]

I like to put my minnows in sawdust and put in a zip lock or tupperwear bowl. I do this the morning of the trip. This way they are dead but not all dried up and shrivled. I have also done a 50/50 of borax and salt and that works well to really preserve bait. I did smelt like this for a long time until they quit letting us use them for bait.

To be honest the newer gulp minnows are as good as preserved baits if not better.

[Great Outdoors]

Last fall, one of the customers stopped in the shop and bought a pint of Rainbow chubs, and placed them in a plastic bag with a 50/50 mixture of sugar and pickling salt (non iodized). He said they stay pliable and maintain their color.

I thought he then placed them into the freezer, but am not sure.

Anyone else ever hear of this???

[reinhard1]

yes the gulp stuff is great stuff. i use it on a jig or spoon. i have this alliegence to bait shops so under the bobber the live minnow is here to stay. the salt and sugar is interesting but never heard of it. never used the sawdust but if you say it works then it does. good luck.

[Northlander]

Yup just take the minnows and scoop them out of the water getting as dry as u can in the scoop and toss them in the sawdust in a zip lock. Plenty of sawdust to minnow ratio. This lack of air kills them and the sawdust keeps them moist but not sticky and mushy. BDR taught me that lil trick on the Canadian side of Rainy River one year.

[reinhard1]

thanks. never stop learning. good luck.

[muskE]

Yup just take the minnows and scoop them out of the water getting as dry as u can in the scoop and toss them in the sawdust in a zip lock. Plenty of sawdust to minnow ratio. This lack of air kills them and the sawdust keeps them moist but not sticky and mushy. BDR taught me that lil trick on the Canadian side of Rainy River one year.

Don't they eat your maggots?

[Northlander]

Not without any air or water.