News Release Archives - April 2008
April 7, 2008
Baitfish Regulations Deserve a Look
Anglers are reminded to check the baitfish regulations in the new 2008-10 North Dakota Fishing Guide.
Spottail shiners are no longer considered a legal live baitfish. Fathead minnows, creek chubs and sticklebacks are the only legal live baitfish that can be used in most North Dakota waters. In addition, white suckers can be used in the Red River. There are also 20 state waters where it is illegal to use any live baitfish.
Bait buckets, or any container used to hold bait, must be free of aquatic vegetation and baitfish held in a bait bucket may not be released into any North Dakota waters. Furthermore, neither water nor aquatic bait can be in livewells when entering the state.
All legal live aquatic organisms used by anglers – including fathead minnows, salamanders, frogs, crayfish and leeches – must be purchased or trapped in North Dakota. They cannot be imported into the state. The purpose of this regulation is to provide better control against unintentional introduction of aquatic nuisance species.
Using game fish or parts of game fish as bait is illegal, except for perch eyes, and trout and salmon eggs.
The North Dakota Fishing Guide is available at license vendors, or online at the state Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.
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