Legal and Illegal Bait

Saturday, May 05, 2001
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This article was Archived on Monday, July 01, 2002

Montana has established strict laws for the use of bait. Here is a general rundown:

• All non-game fish, or their parts, may be used dead as bait if their heads and entrails are removed, or if they have been preserved or frozen, except in waters limited to artificial lures only.
• No portion of sculpins or salmonids (trout, salmon, whitefish, cisco) may be used for bait. In addition, the taking and/or use of sculpins or salmonids as bait is prohibited on all waters in Montana because they may transmit whirling disease.
• Live fish may not be imported or exported from Montana.
• Carp, goldfish, all species of the sunfish and bullhead catfish families, yellow perch, and rainbow smelt may not be used for live bait in Montana.
• With few exceptions--which are listed in the Central and Eastern district regulations--live fish may not be used for bait in Montana.
• Possession of live bait fish is prohibited in waters closed to using live fish for bait.
• Only nongame fish may be taken for bait and only in waters where live fish may be used as bait.

Be sure to check your 2000-2001 Fishing Regulations for specific information.