Bait Question

[wolverine301]

Can you buy bait downstate and transport it up north to be used while fishing an inland lake?

I wanted to try the red minnows up north, but noone up there carries them.

Any info would be great...Thanks.

[jrsoup]

Just have to keep your receipt to show proof that they are "certified ". Sure wish I was there today.

[williewater99]

:coolgleam It's my understanding that you cannot transport minnows to a "different" area. You must retain your receipt with the minnows you purchased for a period of 7 days, and cannot use those minnows for other water's that are not "connected" to the water's you purchased them at. Example: If you purchased minnows at a bait shop on Lake St. Clair, you can use them there, as well as the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers, for a period of 7 days, but cannot use them on Houghton Lake (for instance). The entire regulation is available on the DNR website and it has more details. :fish:

[Ninja]

:coolgleam It's my understanding that you cannot transport minnows to a "different" area. You must retain your receipt with the minnows you purchased for a period of 7 days, and cannot use those minnows for other water's that are not "connected" to the water's you purchased them at. Example: If you purchased minnows at a bait shop on Lake St. Clair, you can use them there, as well as the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers, for a period of 7 days, but cannot use them on Houghton Lake (for instance). The entire regulation is available on the DNR website and it has more details. :fish:

All of the above is incorrect.

If the minnows are Certified VHS Free, they can be used in any waters in the State, and may be transported to any waters.

If the minnows are not Certified, they can be used in any waters that are classified as VHS Positive....the list of waters can be found here www.michigan.gov/dnr (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr)

[wolverine301]

I just read the regs and it looks as though it would be ok as long as you keep a receipt. Both regs about moving fish from one body of water to another excludes baitfish. I may call the DNR just to make sure.

[wolverine301]

All of the above is incorrect.

If the minnows are Certified VHS Free, they can be used in any waters in the State, and may be transported to any waters.

If the minnows are not Certified, they can be used in any waters that are classified as VHS Positive....the list of waters can be found here www.michigan.gov/dnr (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr)

Thanks Ken.

[jrsoup]

Take Ninja's advice. Got to have the certified's for them thar lakes where your headed.

[wolverine301]

Take Ninja's advice. Got to have the certified's for them thar lakes where your headed.

So how does one know if the minnows are certified or not?

[Ninja]

So how does one know if the minnows are certified or not?


It will say on the receipt......if the bait shop is doing things correctly.

[wolverine301]

It will say on the receipt......if the bait shop is doing things correctly.
Unfortunately for us sportsmen, Ninja, most bait shops don't even offer a receipt let alone have the necessary information included on them. I guess I will just have to call the bait shop before I go to make sure their bait is certified. I would like to try those reds up north this weekend...

[williewater99]

:coolgleam Hey guys, I realize the state is trying to stop the spread of VHS, and I don't mind doing my part, but I have a boat where the minnow well sits in the same water as the livewell. If I buy "certified" minnows at a bait shop by Lake St. Clair, put them in my bait well and then put diseased fish I caught in the adjacent livewell, I've possibly contaminated my "certified" bait. I wonder how many guys realize (or care) about that and transfer their minnows to an inland lake a day or week later? :fish:

[fishman210]

instead of using the water in the same well keep the minnows in a bucket. its not hard to keep the 2 seperate, you just have to be smarter than the fish.:xzicon_sm most people have enough common sence to know that the water in the well might be contaminated, so why dump the minnows in there in the first place. always keep them seperate and with the reciept if you are traveling lake to lake.

[walleyesteve2]

:coolgleam Hey guys, I realize the state is trying to stop the spread of VHS, and I don't mind doing my part, but I have a boat where the minnow well sits in the same water as the livewell. If I buy "certified" minnows at a bait shop by Lake St. Clair, put them in my bait well and then put diseased fish I caught in the adjacent livewell, I've possibly contaminated my "certified" bait. I wonder how many guys realize (or care) about that and transfer their minnows to an inland lake a day or week later? :fish:
Fortunatly the "Reds" are "NOT" on the "LIST"-because they are concidered a "Fat Head or Mud minnow"-of bait species that are affected buy the transport law. The above post "Certified" Shiner's "Can" be purchased and transported to a inland lakes is Incorrect! I AM 99.99% SURE OF THE LAW-I WORKED AT A CERTIFIED BAIT SHOP! There is a map with a Boundery "LINE" that "Certified" bait Cannot be taken accross! See DNR Regulations for 110% accuracy. The fine for violating this law is $1000-I believe. Demand! a reciept for Shinner's or Don't Purchase Them! There is a probability that the Shinner's are "NOT CERTIFIED" if the shop will not provide you with a certification reciept! Because the fine will be "YOUR'S" not the bait shop-because without a reciept you cannot prove where the Shiners came from! I posted a VHS info thread on ICESHANTY.COM, may be worth check'n that out as well. If your unsure of the regulation check out the DNR site for bounderies. I know I don't have a extra $1000 for not being informed!

[doublell]

I recently sent an e-mail to the ask the DNR a question site inquiring about transporting legally caught minnows from a river or stream on the west side of the state to fish the detroit river. l also asked what you do about the fact that you would not have a receipt for them. I also stated that any left over minnnows would be disposed of properly which to me is far from shore on land for the gulls and local cats. So I get a partial answer of yes it is legal to use them however "if my minnow bucket hangs over the side of my boat and touches the water in the detroit river I would have to leave the minnows and the BUCKET"and I should not release the minnows alive into the river. Also did not address my question of no reciept and how do you handle that if checked by a LEO. Their bottom line advise just buy them in detroit. I have sent a follow up question re the receipt question and also asking if they were serious on the minnow bucket statement saying my boat and trailer would be "touching" the water in the detroit river and that I had no intention of leaving them there either.:dizzy: when I get the answer I will share.

[Ninja]

. The above post "Certified" Shiner's "Can" be purchased and transported to a inland lakes is Incorrect! I AM 99.99% SURE OF THE LAW-I WORKED AT A CERTIFIED BAIT SHOP! There is a map with a Boundery "LINE" that "Certified" bait Cannot be taken accross! See DNR Regulations for 110% accuracy.

Sorry, but your info above is incorrect.
I own a bait shop, I have attended several MDNR and Dept. of Ag meetings concerning this issue, I have spoken with Gary Towns and Gary Whelan extensively on this subject, I have spoken with LED in Lansing countless times on this subject, and I KNOW the Law.

Here is a link showing the reg's in the easiest format to read and understand.

Read it carefully, and pay special attention to the bottom of Pg. 2.

You CAN use CERTIFIED baitfish, or baitfish you have harvested yourself from a VHS FREE Management Area, ANYWHERE, on ANY waters, in the ENTIRE STATE.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Attention_Anglers_Flyer_203624_7.pdf


WalleyeSteve2,
Can you provide the link to the post about VHS on IceShanty? I'm a member there too and must have missed it.

Also...how about a link to this "Map" you spoke of???

[lakeerierobalo]

I fished up north at Thumb lake and was checked by an officer, he stated that as long as you have a receipt it is legal. Then I was check at the Lake Erie Metro Park and the officer said that the bait must come from a local shop. The regs are so complex that I have no idea what to think!

[love2fish93]

Can you buy bait downstate and transport it up north to be used while fishing an inland lake?

I wanted to try the red minnows up north, but noone up there carries them.

Any info would be great...Thanks.

my best advice is to not get stopped.:lol:

[Ninja]

I fished up north at Thumb lake and was checked by an officer, he stated that as long as you have a receipt it is legal. Then I was check at the Lake Erie Metro Park and the officer said that the bait must come from a local shop. The regs are so complex that I have no idea what to think!


Read the link I posted above.....print it out and keep it with you.
The Officer at the Erie Metro was wrong.

Call LED in Lansing for further clarification of what I posted above.

Once again......CERTIFIED MINNOWS CAN BE USED ANYWHERE IN THE STATE!!!

(yes....I was yelling this time!!! :D)