There are several parts of the Wildlife Code of Missouri to be considered here. I included a lot of code (and left a lot out) because I needed to in order to give you the full story. What it boils down to is that depending on your method of catching the bait fish there may be length restrictions. Let’s start with categorization of fish and there use as bait:
- 3 CSR 10-6.410(13) states: “Endangered species and fish included in 3 CSR 10-6.505 through 3 CSR 10.545, including their parts and eggs, may not be used as bait.
THIS SHUTS DOWN THE USE OF GAME FISH AS BAIT
- Bullheads are not considered game fish {3CSR 10-20.805(25)(A)} and therefore fall into the “other fish” category of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
- 3 CSR 10-6.550 Other Fish
(1)Daily limit: The daily limit for fish, other than those species listed as endangered in 3 CSR 10-4.111 or defined as game fish, is fifty (50) in the aggregate, if taken by pole and line, trotline, throwline, limb line, bank line, jug line, or underwater spearfishing. The daily limit if taken by gig, atlatl, bow, crossbow, snaring, snagging, or grabbing is twenty (20) in the aggregate. Bighead carp, common carp, goldfish, grass carp, and silver carp may be taken and possessed in any number.
(3)Fish taken under this rule may be used as bait; except that bowfin, or parts thereof (including eggs), may not be used as bait.
THIS ALLOWS THE HARVEST OF BULLHEADS AND OTHER “OTHER” FISH AND THEIR USE AS BAIT – some other regulations restrict cerrtain methods in certain areas. Reference the “Other Fish” section of the code for specifics.
- 3 CSR 10-6.605 Live Bait
READ THIS SECTION FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS REGARDING THE LIMITS AND METHODS ALLOWED FOR FISH CAUGHT USING “LIVE BAIT” METHODS. IT BASICALLY STATES THAT CERTAIN NETS SEINES, AND TRAPS MAY BE USED IN ACCORDANCE TO THE CODE TO CATCH BAIT FISH.
- 3 CSR 10-6.605(4) Length Limits: All bluegill, green sunfish, and bullheads more than five inches (5”) in total length and other fish more than twelve inches (12”) in total length must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught by the methods prescribed in this rule, except there are no length limits for bighead carp, common carp, gizzard shad, goldfish, grass carp, and silver carp.
SO… IF YOU CATCH THE BULLHEADS BY “LIVE BAIT” METHODS THAN A LENGTH LIMIT APPLIES, OTHERWISE NO LENGTH LIMIT APPLIES TO YOUR TAKING (WHICH PRECEEDS POSSESSION AND USE AS BAIT).
Daniel Schepis
Conservation Agent - Clay Co, MO
Date: 31May13 @ 1338
**This is not a complete replication of the Wildlife Code of Missouri