I've had a bait net now for a good long time, and thought of maybe taking it with me come next years fishing season . One question came to mind and is a darn good one too. Is it going to be ok to use a bait net without getting in trouble ? The regulation 2014 fishing season don't have anything saying any different. So if I use a net for catching minnow's do i get in trouble ? And if it's not written or posted somewhere, how's one to know your not to do that ? Kinda of a grey area question , but a good one also . So what's your op? 

They aren't legal on odd Thursdays, and cannot be used with a tungsten weight less than 7 milliliters, unless it displaces one ounce of water during the second full moon of a given month.

A cast net? Or? I am not familiar with the laws of you're state, only one recent law am I familiar with, I would suggest contacting a conservation/ fishing law enforcement type and fully understand the law, penalty's are steep nowadays. I want to be exactly sure every year about new changes.

They aren't legal on odd Thursdays, and cannot be used with a tungsten weight less than 7 milliliters, unless it displaces one ounce of water during the second full moon of a given month.

 

While I am of no help to the original questions - this however was wonderfully entertaining.  

Ummm, aren't you forgetting the handle length restrictions? Amateurs....

While I am of no help to the original questions - this however was wonderfully entertaining.  

 

Just a little joke about confusing fishing and game restrictions.

Why not call up your state DNR and find out?  Opinions don't count - only enforceable wildlife laws do.

Why not call up your state DNR and find out?  Opinions don't count - only enforceable wildlife laws do.

 

That's no fun.

Varies from state to state.

 

In my state, we're allowed to net bait, but aren't allowed to transport it to another body of water.

I've had a bait net now for a good long time, and thought of maybe taking it with me come next years fishing season . One question came to mind and is a darn good one too. Is it going to be ok to use a bait net without getting in trouble ? The regulation 2014 fishing season don't have anything saying any different. So if I use a net for catching minnow's do i get in trouble ? And if it's not written or posted somewhere, how's one to know your not to do that ? Kinda of a grey area question , but a good one also . So what's your op?

Its actually not a grey area at all.

Either call your local DNR or find your fish and game regulations before you get a citation and blame the guys on the internet forum for not telling you the right answer.. Therea always a section in this stuff and the law varies frim state to state.

The serious answer is that regulations regarding such matters vary a great deal from state to state, and even within a state, can vary in certain areas or bodies of water. And the rules change a lot. Most states have changed a lot of rules recently as it pertains to transporting bait due to invasive species concerns. I'd first look at the regulations outlined on your states Parks and Wildlife website; and if there is still some question, which isn't unusual because the regulations can be somewhat ambiguous, you should call and ask specifically about what it is you want to do.

Be 100% sure you can ID the baitfish you're catching if it is legal. Some invasives look a lot like native baitfish and some small game fish look a lot like baitfish.