Read the article to find out if live bait is legal or not in your home state. In all waters east of the Continental Divide and at an altitude below 7,000 feet, live baitfish may only be used in the same water body where they were taken. Pugnose Shiner, Golden Minnow, Autumn Fool, Stream Minnow, Spotted Minnow, Bridle Shiner, Black Dace, Long-nosed Daka, Pearl Dank, Round-nosed Minnow, Lump Shiner, Broken Lip Minnow, Sucker, Sucker, White Sucker, Killifish, Mummichog, Atlantic Vernache and Silver Side, Sandeels, Frogs (except Northern Leopard Frog), Crayfish, Redtails, Hellgrammites and Mayphemeral Nymphs. Bronel, goldfish, yellow perch, yellow perch, yellow perch, perch, sunfish, crappie, horned pouts, carp, alewife or other spiny-finned fish In Washington State, it is illegal to catch wild fish with live bait. For detailed information on baitfish harvesting methods, smelt seasons and other regulations, see the Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Regulations. The use of wild fish and wild fish parts is illegal, with the exception of yellow perch eyes, trout and salmon eggs. It is important to remember that the minimum length of a species always applies and that all baitfish caught must be counted towards the daily catch limit. In addition, all baitfish may only be caught and used in the same water and may not be transported to other state waters. In Virginia, all wild and non-wild fish can be used as bait if caught whole. Round gobies, tubular-nosed gobies, goldfish, comets, koi carp and carp. It is illegal to use or possess the following species as bait: The use of shad, minnow, and crabs as live bait is legal in the state of Illinois. Fishing, seine fishing, bait fishing and shovel nets. In Iowa, it is legal to use certain fish as live bait.

The following species may be legally used as live bait by licensed recreational anglers and imported, exported or sold by licensed bait dealers: The State of New Jersey allows the use of live bait in all freshwater areas of the state. Anyone with a valid fishing licence is allowed to use live baitfish. Minnesota allows the use of a variety of live and dead bait for fishing, including minnows. The state of Nebraska also has a long list of lakes that do not allow the use of live bait. Some species of fish can be legally used as live bait in the state of Alabama. Leeches, native frogs, salamanders and crabs, and the following fish species: thick-headed minnows, brook minnows and sticklebacks. Fishing with live bait is legal in the state of Missouri. It is illegal to use wild fish, goldfish or carp as bait in whole or in part in the state of Minnesota. Live bait fishing is legal in Colorado, but limited to certain species and areas. In addition, the possession and use of minnows as live bait is illegal in Deer and Swan Creek, Harford County. Black bass and crappie can only be caught with a hook and a line when used as live bait. Smelt, Lake Döbel, Eastern silver minnow, golden minnow, emerald minnow, bridle minnow, common minnow, black-nosed minnow, spot-tailed minnow, northern red-bellied dace, finned dace, fathead minnow, black-nosed dace, long-nosed daceous, döbel, soft, pearl daceous, banded killed fish, Mummichog, long-nosed sucker, white sucker, Stream miller, stream miller, American, black chain minnow.

In South Dakota, only bulls and baitfish can legally be used as bait when fishing. Pro tip: If you want to improve your fishing, check out this helpful expert guide to catching and fishing with live bait on Amazon here. Sunfish, bluegill, hybrid bluegills and yellow perch. The state has a long list of water areas where the use of live bait is prohibited. The legal methods of obtaining bait are as follows: In addition, licensed bait dealers may also harvest the following types that are sold as dead bait: fathead minnows, walleye minnows and goldfish, including black somersaults The following species, when legally caught by fishing, neting, seining, trapping or diving, Can be used as live and dead bait: These baits may only be possessed, transported and released in the saltwater areas where they were caught. The reference below lists specific areas and waters. In areas and waters where the use of live baitfish is legal, a seine and fishing licence must be obtained. These Regulations do not prohibit the possession or use of live baitfish in or in the waters from which they were caught or caught. It also does not prohibit the possession, import or use of live baitfish purchased from commercial producers and bait stores inside or outside the State of Alabama, unless the origin of the fish comes from a wild source.

In waters where fish are protected, the following species may be used illegally: Blue gills and yellow perch are most often used as live bait in many waters. For more information on the legal use of baitfish in the central and eastern districts of the state, see Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. The use of certain live baitfish is legal in the state of Massachusetts. There are also special regulations for the use of alewife and blue-backed herring as bait. The commercial collection and sale of minnows, crabs and wild crabs requires a permit from MNR and a monthly harvest report to the ministry. Young Asian carps are very similar to other baitfish species such as herring and shad allis (Figure 1). Because of this similarity, most fishermen would not be able to distinguish these species, especially at smaller sizes, or would not take the time to properly identify them. This error could result in species such as silver carp being transported and established in waters where they do not currently exist, increasing the risk of further damage to Alabama`s sport fish populations.