Am sinking my minnow trap tomorrow....wondering when live bait is best! Lots of ice left up here. Anybody with an opinion about when's the best time for live bait as opposed to lures designed to tick off bedding fish?

Check your state for minnow traping regulations. Here in Wisconsin,they have strict regulations on minnows to keep from spreading disease and accidentally introducing unwanted species.

Other than that,live bait can be deadly in early spring.

Good luck, tight lines!

i prefer live bait either in late fall or early spring. its not ideal to fish live bait during the spawn because you cant easily get your live bait on a nest like you can a lure. live bait is also okay after the spawn but not as effective as it is before.

No live bait for bass in maine until after june 30th