If you are wondering if you can fish with live bait in your state, then you have come to the right place. Live bait is not permitted in many areas due to the possibility of unwanted species or diseases being introduced. The ban against live bait is meant to protect the native species of a water system.
Most states in the US allow live bait to be used while fishing if certain conditions are met. The states that never allow live bait include Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia. All other states either completely allow live bait or allow it with specific requirements.
To learn more about your state’s rules and if you can fish with live bait, continue reading below.
Alabama
In Alabama, anglers can fish with live bait if it is from a bait shop. However, it cannot be used if you caught it yourself.
Alaska
In Alaska, anglers can fish with live bait if it is in saltwater. If fishing in freshwater, live bait cannot be used.
Arizona
In Arizona, anglers can fish with live bait. However, the live bait cannot be sold, it must be caught by the person wishing to use it.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, anglers can fish with live bait as long as the bait is used in the same location as where it was caught.
California
In California, anglers can only use specific kinds of live bait. To learn more about what is allowed, check out Inland Fisheries.
Colorado
In Colorado, anglers can only use live bait if it was purchased from an authorized bait dealer, and if it is “on the East Slope below 7,000 feet and at Navajo Reservoir.” (Source)
Connecticut
In Connecticut, anglers can fish with live bait with few exceptions.
Delaware
In Delaware, anglers can fish with live bait.
Florida
In Florida, anglers cannot use nonnative fish as live bait. Goldfish and carp can never be used as live bait, however.
Georgia
In Georgia, anglers can fish with live bait in most areas if they use game fish.
Hawaii
In Hawaii, anglers can fish with live bait, as long as the bait is not released into areas with freshwater.
Idaho
In Idaho, anglers cannot fish with live bait if the bait can swim. If the bait cannot swim, however, the bait can only be used in the same location where it was caught.
Illinois
In Illinois, anglers can only fish with specific kinds of live bait. Read the Aquatic Life Approved Species list to learn about which kinds of live bait are allowed.
Indiana
In Indiana, anglers can use live fish as bait as long as it is used in the same location where it was caught. Carp and gizzard shad can never be used as live bait.
Iowa
In Iowa, anglers can use game fish as live bait. Transportation of live bait can only occur in clean waters. (Source)
Kansas
In Kansas, anglers can fish with live bait.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, nonnative live bait cannot be used. In addition, the blackside dace, cumberland darter, palezone shiner, relicit darter, and the tuxedo darter can never be used as live bait.
Louisiana
In Louisiana, anglers can fish with minnows, shrimp, and crawfish as live bait.
Maine
In Maine, anglers cannot fish with live bait.
Maryland
In Maryland, anglers can fish with minnows as live bait. However, there are some areas where this is not allowed as well.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, anglers cannot fish with live bait.
Michigan
In Michigan, anglers can fish with live bait. The exceptions, however, include carp, goldfish, and lamprey.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, anglers can fish with live bait with the exception of carp, goldfish, and game fish.
Mississippi
In Mississippi, anglers can fish with live bait.
Missouri
In Missouri, anglers can fish with live bait. Game fish, however, cannot be used.
Montana
In Montana, anglers cannot typically fish with live bait. In the few locations where it is permitted, however, game fish cannot be used.
Nebraska
In Nebraska, anglers can fish with bugs as live bait. The fish that are allowed to be used as live bait must be used in the same location where they were caught.
Nevada
In Nevada, anglers cannot typically fish with live bait. In locations where it is allowed, however, it is heavily encouraged to not use live bait.
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, anglers cannot fish with live bait unless a permit is acquired.
New Jersey
In New Jersey, anglers can fish with live bait in all freshwater areas.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, anglers cannot typically use live fish as bait. To learn about the exceptions, read New Mexico’s Fishing Rules.
New York
In New York, live bait is not usually permitted.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, anglers can fish with live bait. Game fish is never allowed, however.
North Dakota
In North Dakota, anglers can fish with live bait. However, the bait cannot be nonnative.
Ohio
In Ohio, anglers can fish with live bait with few exceptions.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, anglers can fish with live bait. Most areas, however, present a limit with how much live bait can be caught/used.
Oregon
In Oregon, anglers cannot fish with live bait.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, anglers can fish with live bait.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, anglers can fish with live bait. However, the live bait cannot be released into freshwater systems.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, anglers can fish with live bait. Game fish, however, is not allowed.
South Dakota
In South Dakota, anglers can fish with live bait. Carp, goldfish, and gamefish are not allowed to be used, however.
Tennessee
In Tennessee, anglers can fish with live bait with some exceptions.
Texas
In Texas, anglers can fish with live bait, with the exception of game fish.
Utah
In Utah, anglers can fish with live bait. Some locations, however, ban this practice.
Vermont
In Vermont, anglers can fish with live bait. The rules and regulations are listed here.
Virginia
In Virginia, anglers can fish with live bait, with some stipulations.
Washington
In Washington, anglers cannot fish with live bait.
West Virginia
In West Virginia, anglers cannot use live fish as bait.
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, anglers can fish with live bait. It must be used in the same location it was caught in, however.
Wyoming
In Wyoming, anglers can only fish with live bait in certain areas. Before knowing if live bait is allowed, you must do research on the specific location.
