The new bait rule is official

[DTro]

Here is the end result that a group of catfish anglers hashed out and compromised on for a new rule change. Hopefully its a positive start of catfishermen having a small voice in how laws and regs are formed and managed.

I would like to say thanks to the MNDNR for hosting a Catfish Workgroup and hearing out our thoughts and concerns and allowing us to present at the DNR roundtable. Also thanks to those that participated.

NEWS RELEASE

Catfish anglers will have more options for harvesting of bait from infested rivers

Beginning July 1, bullhead, suckers, mooneyes, goldeyes, and sheepshead (freshwater drum) may be caught by hook and line from designated infested rivers and used as bait for personal use while on that same water body. The 2012 legislature made this change after hearing support from the DNR and testimony from catfish anglers. Current law prohibits obtaining bait from water infested with invasive species other than Eurasian watermilfoil, meaning waters such as the St. Croix and Mississippi River have been off- limits to obtaining certain desirable species of fish for use as bait while fishing on those waters.

“This new law gives anglers fishing for catfish the access to species prized as bait while safeguarding the environment because these species can only be obtained and used as bait on the river or stream where taken for bait,” said Jack Lauer, Regional Fisheries Manager in New Ulm. Additional restrictions include: any other use of wild animals for bait from infested waters is prohibited; the bait may not be transported live from or off the water where taken as bait; the bait may be taken for personal use only and not for commercial use; any species taken for bait must be included in a person’s daily limit; and anglers must also heed all other size restrictions and requirements established for these species.

[Scott K]

I thought they were going to take out the "for catfishermen" ?

[Rick G]

Thanks for the info DTro. Stange that it says for catfisherman ,what about us that like to use native chubbs for walleye's? Anyway it's a step back in the right direction.

[itchmesir]

there is a daily limit on bullhead, suckers, mooneyes, goldeyes, and sheepshead?

[Gordie]

There are restrictions on how much bait you can actually possess.

I believe the limit on bullheads is 100 but not sure if that is the same for the bait rule.

Good question.

[Brad B]

in regards to bullheads you can have the following.

7 inches or less are considered minnows thus allowing you to posses 12 doz or 144 of them under the minnow regulations.

7 inches to 10 inches are counted in the 100 fish limit.

so if you choose to you could have 244 bullheads but who would ever need to keep that many.

here is the exact wording from the reg book(Page 12)

• Up to 100 bullheads, 7-10 inches in length, may be taken and possessed for use

as live bait. Legal methods of taking include dip net, angling or minnow seines.

Live bullheads must be transported in a container with a locking lid to prevent

escape. These bullheads are considered part of the possession limits on pages

27, 60-62, and 67-68. Bullheads less than 7 inches in length are considered

minnows and fall under those regulations.

[Gordie]

so if you choose to you could have 244 bullheads but who would ever need to keep that many.

I know a few serious catfishermen that would try ad keep that many.