Thread: Fyi

I don't know what the rules are, but I can tell you we've used 6" to 7" blue gill for bait this past summer and the way I read it we could do that. This was passed on from my grandpa and I 'll stick with it!!!

Length Limits:
•All bluegill, green sunfish and bullheads more than 5 inches long and other species of nongame fish more than 12 inches long must be returned to the water immediately after being caught by any of the methods listed above except pole and line. The daily limits for nongame fish apply to the large fish taken by pole and line.
•There is no length limit on bighead carp, common carp, gizzard shad, goldfish, grass carp and silver carp when used as bait.

Looks like maybe you can use them if hooked on a R&R..???Maybe Jake can get someone to clear this up??

the way I read it as long as you catch the bait with pole and line you can use them that size, you just can't catch them using a net or other means that size.

You can use any size bluegill, green sunfish etc as bait. Where it gets sticky is bluegill, green sunfish, creek chubs etc over 5 inches long fall in the "all other species combined" category. The limit is 50 for these larger fish. It's 150 for fish under 5". This is for large reservoirs. In smaller MDC lakes the fish over 5" limit is 20 and there is no cast netting or trapping except for shad. Shad, carp, silver carp, bighead carp have no limits regardless of size. AS far as how you catch the bait, it depends on the body of water. But basically if you can trotline, you can collect bait too.

Jake,from mdc website

"Live Bait Methods, Limits and Species
Methods:
Live bait may be taken by trap, dip net, throw net, pole and line or seine.

•Live-bait traps must have a throat opening not more than 11/2 inches in any dimension, and must be labeled with your full name and address.
•Traps must be removed if they cannot be checked at least once every 24 hours.
•Seines must not be more than 20 feet long and 4 feet deep, with a mesh of not more than 1/2 inch bar measure.
•Live bait, except fish, may be taken by hand.
•Crayfish also may be taken by trap with an opening not to exceed 11/2 inches by 18 inches.
Length Limits:
•All bluegill, green sunfish and bullheads more than 5 inches long and other species of nongame fish more than 12 inches long must be returned to the water immediately after being caught by any of the methods listed above except pole and line. The daily limits for nongame fish apply to the large fish taken by pole and line.
•There is no length limit on bighead carp, common carp, gizzard shad, goldfish, grass carp and silver carp when used as bait.
Seasons:
Live bait may be taken throughout the year.

Daily Limit:
•A combined total of 150 crayfish, freshwater shrimp and non-game fish
•5 each of southern leopard frog, plains leopard frog and cricket frog
•A combined total of 8 bullfrogs and green frogs. Bullfrogs and green frogs may be taken only from sunset June 30 through Oct. 31..
•Any number of goldfish and bighead, common, grass and silver carp
•Any number of live bait, when purchased or obtained from a source other than the waters of the state or a licensed commercial fisherman; must be species on the Approved Aquatic Species List and angler must carry a dated receipt for the fish
Other species that may be used as bait include:

•Nongame fish of any size, except bowfin, if taken according to the methods and seasons
•Mussels and clams legally taken by sport fish methods
Frogs included as live bait:

•Southern leopard frog
•Plains leopard frog
•Blanchards cricket frog
•Bullfrog
•Green frog"
I don't see shad listed under the over 150 limit??

Ain't trying to argue,but some rules are as clear as smithville water(muddy)

Most agents I've met are great people,and will take in the "spirit" of the law,but there is always one

I am aalso a member of a catfishing website and I know for a fact that it is Illigal to fish with silver or bighead carp live. they MUST be dead. they are great bait but cut em up good. they are giveng out no warnings on this law.and I heard rumor that it is Illigal to transport them live in mo. as far as the gill question, cooks reply is accurate and thourgh.
you canh now catch shad up to 16" in a throw net up to 150.

Originally Posted by MOfishmgr

You can use any size bluegill, green sunfish etc as bait. Where it gets sticky is bluegill, green sunfish, creek chubs etc over 5 inches long fall in the "all other species combined" category. The limit is 50 for these larger fish. It's 150 for fish under 5". This is for large reservoirs. In smaller MDC lakes the fish over 5" limit is 20 and there is no cast netting or trapping except for shad. Shad, carp, silver carp, bighead carp have no limits regardless of size. AS far as how you catch the bait, it depends on the body of water. But basically if you can trotline, you can collect bait too.

No cast netting for silvercarp or bigheads? How the heck else would you get those?

Originally Posted by C N

No cast netting for silvercarp or bigheads? How the heck else would you get those?

Drive the boat in circles and let them jump in!!