Using game fish as bait, is it illegal?

[AbuGarcia-4-Life]

Ok my brother caught a almost 5 pound bass using a bream. Then we heard that it was illegal to use a game fish to catch another game fish. So I was wondering can I use a bream (a game fish) to catch a Catfish (not a game fish)???

[D4u2s0t]

I don't know the law for that, but catfish IS a game fish...

[Grey Wolf]

Where ever you are from , check your state fishing regulations , you may learn something.

In a lot of the states it is ill-legal.

[roadwarrior]

State laws vary, you will have to check. In

Tennessee, bluegill can be used as bait.

8-)

[AbuGarcia-4-Life]

Well where can I find my state regulations (im from georgia)

[AbuGarcia-4-Life]

thx

[Matt Fly]

Using gamefish in the state of Texas is against the law.

[Raul]

It actually depend and varies from state to state and which species is considered by the state as "gamefish" and what is nor considered as gamefish, in some places bluegill is considered as gamefish and if the law says no gamefish as bait then it 's illegal, if it 's not considered as gamefish and there 's no law against using live bait then it 's not illegal.

From the site:

Game fish are: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, redeye (Coosa) bass, shoal bass (Flint River smallmouth), Suwannee bass, white bass, striped bass, striped-white bass hybrid, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, white crappie, black crappie, American shad, hickory shad, flier, spotted sunfish (stumpknockers), rock bass (goggleye), redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, bluegill (bream), warmouth, walleye, sauger, muskellunge, chain pickerel, grass pickerel, redfin pickerel, channel catfish and flathead catfish.

There you have, your brother was breaking the law.

[tyrius.]

In Illinois

Can I use bluegill as bait?

There is nothing in the Illinois Fish Code which prohibits the use of legally taken bluegill or sunfish as bait for another species of fish. The bluegill/sunfish must have been taken by a properly licensed sport fisherman using legal sportfishing devices. You must also observe all size and creel limits both where the bluegill/sunfish were taken and where they are being used as bait. Also, it is illegal to cut up or dress or be in possession of cut up or dressed fish on any body of water where there is a size limit for that particular species of fish.

So, this is another instance where it pays to read up on  your own state/local laws to ensure that you are not breaking any.

[the lone fisherman]

i live in florida and its not illegal i caught my pb off a hand size bream but if it is a gamefish there it probly illegal peaple here also use bream for catfish they usually rig them on the bottom

[bass or bass ?]

Here in Arizona bluegill and carp are legal bait on certain waters. Where I fish they are legal and I use them for flathead cat bait.

[Hammer 4]

In So. Cali..all game fish are illegal to use for bait..However in certain lakes you can catch shad with a Dip net, and use them for bait.

[TEAMUS]

I live in Illinois as well. So, does that mean I can use bluegil from my pond for catfish on the river?

In Illinois

Can I use bluegill as bait?

There is nothing in the Illinois Fish Code which prohibits the use of legally taken bluegill or sunfish as bait for another species of fish. The bluegill/sunfish must have been taken by a properly licensed sport fisherman using legal sportfishing devices. You must also observe all size and creel limits both where the bluegill/sunfish were taken and where they are being used as bait. Also, it is illegal to cut up or dress or be in possession of cut up or dressed fish on any body of water where there is a size limit for that particular species of fish.

So, this is another instance where it pays to read up on your own state/local laws to ensure that you are not breaking any.

[Raul]

I live in Illinois as well. So, does that mean I can use bluegil from my pond for catfish on the river?

You would transporting fish from one body of water to another and that could be illlegal.

[bowfish12]

Ok my brother caught a almost 5 pound bass using a bream. Then we heard that it was illegal to use a game fish to catch another game fish. So I was wondering can I use a bream (a game fish) to catch a Catfish (not a game fish)???

Look at Raul's link, it gives you access to the GA fishing guide.

On pg. 18 under hook and line it states you can use gamefish as bait, as long as you do not exceed daily creel/possession/size limits.

[TEAMUS]

In Illinois. If I catch a bluegill in that body of water. I can use it for catfish?

[bowfish12]

In Illinois. If I catch a bluegill in that body of water. I can use it for catfish?

According to tyrius quote, yes.  I also read it as you can catch them one place, and use them somewhere else as long as you follow the regs for that body of water.

[tyrius.]

In Illinois. If I catch a bluegill in that body of water. I can use it for catfish?

Yes. I don't think that you're supposed to cut it up though.

My earlier quote was from the ifishillinois website.

[K_Mac]

In Illinois. If I catch a bluegill in that body of water. I can use it for catfish?

Yes. I don't think that you're supposed to cut it up though.

My earlier quote was from the ifishillinois website.

As long as there are no size restrictions on bluegill in the body of water being fished, it is legal to use them for cut bait.

[BassAssasin2]

its only illegal if you get caught i would just call your local agfc and ask, i have a hunch that they will know. ;D tight lines

[WRB]

In So. Cali..all game fish are illegal to use for bait..However in certain lakes you can catch shad with a Dip net, and use them for bait.

It is illegal to transport any live fish in most of California. SoCal extends to the Colorado river and live bluegill can be used for bait below Parker dam to the Mexican border and around the delta area up north. Like most states CA has special restrictions that apply to specific areas.

It looks like Georgia has restricted the fresh water blue/black herring for live bait use in specific water drainage, bluegill other game fish appear to be OK to use as live bait.

WRB

[silvercliff_46]

In Wisconsin you can use any pan-fish for bait, but you need to count it in the bag limit. Pan-fish would include bluegill, perch, crappie, rock bass, etc. You may also use any rough fish caught for bait, chubs, suckers , etc.

I would NOT try moving anything that has touched the water of any lake, river, pond, creek, etc., that would include minnows if you placed them in a minnow bucket that was over the side. We have VHS and that is serious stuff. It can kill every fish that swims in fresh water.

As a side note: We must also drain all live wells immediately on exiting the water and pick any debris, weeds etc. from our boats before leaving. I'm not much for government rules and regs, but these make sense.

I guess I jacked this a bit, but anyone visiting my state should know about what is happening around here.

[backpain...]

It is legal to use gamefish as bait in Georgia so long as they are of legal size and obtained legally.

"Game fish may be used as live bait (where live bait is legal and allowed) if they are taken legally and you do not exceed the daily creel and possession limits.  You can possess more than the daily creel and possession limit for a species if you purchase the fish from a bona fide fish dealer and keep a bill of sale in your possession."