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.
