Question for the pros

[Cat Hunter]

I was wondering if stone cats, pretty sure that's what they are called, are legal to use for bait. I usually catch a bunch of them, never over 7 or 8 inches. I was out yesterday and decided to try a whole live one that was about 7" long, 5 minutes in the water and I had a hit that snapped my line as soon as I set the hook, 20lbs spider line, it was big whatever it was, I had a hell of a time getting my rod out of the rod holder. Anyway I want to use them again, if they are legal to use as bait.

[Steve Foss]

I'm no expert, but it's my understanding you can use them for bait in both N.D. and Minn.

Minn. is a bit more restrictive on what you can use, but the general rule there is you can't use as live bait any fish that's considered a "sport fish," one that has an open and closed season or a possession limit. Stonecats, like goldeye, mooneye, sucker and some other "rough fish," don't fall into that category.

Here are what the Minnesota regs say:

"Using whole or parts of game fish, goldfish, or carp for bait is

unlawful."

Minnows are considered legal bait. In Minnesota, according to the regs, "Minnows (are) – members of the minnow family, Cyprinidae, except carp and goldfish; members of the mudminnow family, Umbridae; members of the sucker family, Catostomidae, not over 12 inches in length; bullheads, ciscoes, lake whitefish, goldeyes, and mooneyes, not over seven inches long; and leeches, tadpole madtoms (willow cats) and stonecats. (Note: border waters may be different)"

[maj330]

For some reason, I've only been able to catch monster size bullheads lately (12" and up) or none at all. Can I use parts of these bullheads as cut bait without breaking the 7" rule?

[fiskyknut]

Well Cat Hunter the way I read the regs if you are a ND resident with a ND license you are not to use them live anywhere in the state of ND, the Red included. MN residents can use them and yes they can catch monsters outta the Red.

I would say ND is more restrictive on their bait regs, things have changed since stfcatfish was stomping the banks of the Red on a regular basis. ND put alot more restrictions on what types of baifish one can use to keep foreign species out of those smallish resevoirs they have all over.

Hope this helps, maybe not what you wanted to hear though!

fiskyknut

[Steve Foss]

Wish I was back stomping the banks of the Red now and then. I just did the math. It's been over four years. One thing God's Country doesn't have is a good population of whiskered fish. Have to change my handle to stftrout, I guess.