Live Bait

PURPOSE: This rule establishes seasons, methods, and limits for taking species defined as live bait. (1) Daily Limit: In the aggregate, one hundred fifty (150) crayfish, freshwater shrimp, and those species of fish not defined as game fish in 3 CSR 10-20.805; and five (5) each of the following amphibians: southern leopard frog, plains leopard frog, and cricket frog. Bighead carp, common carp, goldfish, grass carp, and silver carp may be taken and possessed in any number. (2) Methods. (A) Live bait may be taken by a trap with throat opening not to exceed one and one-half inches (1 1/2") in any dimension, dip net, throw net, pole and line, or a seine not more than twenty feet (20') long and four feet (4') deep, of a mesh not more than one-half inch (1/2") bar measure. (B) Live bait, except fish, may be taken by hand. (C) Crayfish may also be taken by trap with an opening not to exceed one and one-half inches (1 1/2") by eighteen inches (18"). (3) Seasons: Throughout the year. (4) Length Limits: All bluegill, green sunfish, and bullheads more than five inches (5") in total length and other fish more than twelve inches (12") in total length must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught by the methods prescribed in this rule, except there are no length limits for invasive fish, common carp, grass carp, gizzard shad, and goldfish. (5) Live bait, when purchased or obtained from a source other than the waters of the state or a licensed commercial fisherman, must be species listed in the Approved Aquatic Species List (3 CSR 10-9.110) and may be possessed in any number. (6) Invasive fish may not be used as live bait but may be used as dead or cut bait. (7) Live bait, as defined in this code, obtained from waters of the state, may not be transported from the state or sold. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const. and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed June 13, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995. Amended: Filed May 30, 1995, effective Jan. 1, 1996. Amended: Filed April 25, 1996, effective March 1, 1997. Amended: Filed May 9, 2002, effective March 1, 2003. Amended: Filed Sept. 29, 2004, effective Feb. 28, 2005. Amended: Filed Sept. 14, 2005, effective Feb. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed Oct. 2, 2006, effective Feb. 28, 2007. Amended: Filed Sept. 27, 2007, effective Feb. 29, 2008. Amended: Filed Sept. 30, 2010, effective March 1, 2011. Amended: Filed March 2, 2020, effective Aug. 30, 2020. Amended: Filed Jan. 22, 2021, effective Aug. 30, 2021. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.