Aquatic Bait in North Dakota

[JewellOutdoors]

This is a public service discussion to all anglers that head to ND for fishing. I had an interesting experience last summer with the ND Game and Fish, and wanted to pass along what I learned to the the HSO community! There are new rules regulating the transport of live aquatic bait into ND. Here is the rule: You cannot transport live aquatic bait (leeches, minnows, etc) in to ND as an Angler. Period.

Last summer, we were selling bait to fishermen in North Dakota. The ND Game and Fish set up a sting and ordered some from me under a false name. I of course completed the order. I was assessed a class B misdemeanor, and a $250 fine. (There is a much more interesting story that goes along with this - happy to share offline) Obviously, we didn't know about the new regulations.

As I investigated the new regulations, I learned that: A) a fisherman living in ND cannot buy aquatic bait from anyone outside ND and have it shipped in. a fisherman cannot legally transport live aquatic bait INTO ND.

Just wanted to give anyone heading up to Devils Lake or anywhere in ND a heads up. These guys are serious about tracking live bait movement, and trying to prevent movements of invasive species. You are however allowed to buy bait once you get into ND from a bait shop. Anyone have any similar experience regarding live bait in ND? How do you see regulations affecting live bait use in the future?

[Ed Carlson]

All bait needs to go through a registered and license certified dealer and checked at official DOT stations accompanying the proper documentation before it is transported into ND, all live baits.

They get checked and certified at the DOT and then allowed to be delivered into ND. The individual ND bait dealers need to document the shipments and keep very close records for state inspection and verification of all points of origin and certifications to be clean.

If your caught bringing them in without this certification and proper prof of purchase documentation the fines are very serious and costly. They are serious about this and will be implemented and prosecuted. Yes, ND and MN are very serious about this new invasive species threats and are working closely together to contain it.

This procedure has added cost to live bait and began so last season. So far they are allowing leaches to go through with the procedure and stop gaps in place. If a concern is seen on bootleg bait they will ban them completely and this too has been discussed as a potential consequence at any time.

[cbrooks]

As I investigated the new regulations, I learned that: A) a fisherman living in ND cannot buy aquatic bait from anyone outside ND and have it shipped in. a fisherman cannot legally transport live aquatic bait INTO ND.

I believe this law applies for Minnesota as well. I cannot bring bait bought in North Dakota into Minnesota's waters. Been a law for as long as I can remember.

I know baits ben sold over the border to North Dakota by a few bait shops. They must be getting serious with it now.

[cbrooks]

i notice alot of people like to use smelt for northerns pike bought at the grocery store. I'm guessing you will neeed some kind of certificate for using them.

[Ed Carlson]

It is OK both ways as long as your a registered interstate distributor and fallow the regs. They must go through an intermediary step with the DOT and check before they go either way. Without that documentation and prof of origin your in violation and they will fine you if checked.

Failure to keep prof of origin on bait, especially bulk bait like leechs, is also a citable offense for fisherman and vendors alike....so keep your receipts/documentation with you as you must produce them upon request by a DNR , G&F officer or a border patrol authority.

[cbrooks]

will do Ed. Thanks

Some one has brought up this point other threads that live bait is going in the direction of being outlaw because of the invasive specie problem. i know Canada I only use live bait when fishing cats but its just not worth the hassle for any of the other fish. This will hurt/end the small bait dealers

[Ed Carlson]

The truth is this is there last stop before they lock down live bait to very specific areas with very restrictive use regulations.

If we as anglers refuse to obey, and they see it, it's game over...they will lock it down tight.

They are very serious about this, and we should be too. Bootleg imports will kill us all if it continues. I get this from very high sources in the various programs.

If we can't behave, it's going to get much worse, very quickly.