Craig I question if I clean some crappie and keep the heads and rib cages can i use this for blue cat bait on a reservoir
The 2016 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary is available for download HERE. Printed copies should be available at license vendors and KDWPT offices by mid-January.
Craig I question if I clean some crappie and keep the heads and rib cages can i use this for blue cat bait on a reservoir
Another question if I catch some crappie under 10 inches at Pamona keep them and freeze them can I use them as blue cat bait on Melvern
Good questions Bill, wondered about those myself
Blackdog40,
Legally caught legal sized sportfish CAN be used for bait and this also applies to their parts and pieces.
It would be preferable that you use the crappie for bait in the same waterbody in which you caught them to reduce risk of moving ANS from one body to another. Studies looking at transfer of zebra mussels in the gut of blue catfish have found that is possible for an adult zebra mussel to survive in the digestive tract of the blue catfish. Moving the blue catfish (or parts of the digestive tract after cleaning) could potentially move live zebra mussels. I have not seen any studies on this subject on any other fish besides the blue catfish. Again, using bait where it is caught is preferred. Freezing the "parts" intended for bait would kill any zebra mussels that may be present. Better to be safe, than sorry!!
Blackdog40,
I don't believe you would want to have short crappie in your possession on a lake with a 10-inch minimum crappie length limit, frozen or not. This question would best be answered by the Conservation Officer that works Melvern Reservoir. You can reach him at (620) 450 - 7264.
Thank Craig your the best
Yes would only use them if frozen if caught in ANS water
Called the conservation Office he said you could get a ticket if you are caught with undersized fish frozen or not. Okay.