OutdoorNebraska

16 | Fishing Info: 402-471-0641 Bait Regulations Baitfish, listed amphibians and crayfish may not be sold, except by permit. The following regulations apply only to bait obtained for personal use. For commercial purposes (bait dealers, private aquaculturists and nonresident fish dealers), refer to the regulations supplied with your permit. • It is unlawful to take baitfish, listed amphibians or crayfish from any public lake, reservoir or bayou unless otherwise stated below. • Digging and trapping for bait or any other purpose is prohibited on all state-owned or controlled areas. • It shall be unlawful for any individual or bait dealer to transport away from the river any live fish to be used for bait that has been collected on the Missouri River downstream below Gavins Point Dam to the Kansas border and all other rivers and streams located east of U.S. Hwy. 81 from the South Dakota border to York, north of Interstate 80 from York to Lincoln, and east of to a line extending from the east end of the south cement wall of the discharge canal northwest to the east end of the north wall of the discharge canal. (See image on page 14.) Also: • All inland waters are closed to paddlefish harvest. Requirements – Snaggers must have in their possession an unfilled paddlefish tag while actively snagging, in addition to a valid fishing permit, if required. From Gavins Point Dam to 0.6 miles downstream, snaggers must possess a valid Nebraska resident or Nebraska nonresident snagging permit or a South Dakota resident snagging permit. A South Dakota nonresident fishing permit/tag is not valid in this area. In the remainder of the river open to snagging, South Dakota nonresident permits are valid. Possession – Paddlefish harvested by snagging may be possessed only on the Missouri River during the open season in the designated open area. Minimum Age – Applicants must be 12 years old by Oct. 1 to be eligible to apply for a snagging permit. Hooks – Only one hook may be used when snagging, and the gap between the point of the hook and the shank may not exceed one- half inch. Bag and Possession Limits – The daily bag and possession limits are the total number of tags issued to an individual. Casting and Hooking – All paddlefish anglers are required to cast for and hook their own fish. Length Limit – All paddlefish between 35 and 45 inches long (measured along the centerline of the fish, lying flat, from the front margin of the eye to the natural fork of the tail), must be returned to the water immediately. Gaff Hook – It is unlawful to use a gaff hook or other penetrating device while landing snagged paddlefish. TAGGING, CLEANING AND TRANSPORTATION A paddlefish must be tagged immediately in the dorsal fin with the angler's tag upon addition to the creel. Any paddlefish tag that is locked before attachment, altered or modified shall be void and will not be replaced. Anglers harvesting a paddlefish are allowed to process the fish down to two whole fillets after completion of the fishing trip and upon leaving the Missouri River with both the closed paddlefish tag and paddlefish permit remaining with the fillets. DISCARDING NONGAME FISH It is unlawful to discard nongame fish on the bank. U.S. Hwy. 77 from Lincoln to the Kansas border. (See map.) The use of baitfish seined by anglers from these rivers and streams may only be used at the body of water from which they were captured. • Seining for baitfish, listed amphibians or crayfish is allowed on streams located on state recreation areas and wildlife management areas unless the stream is listed as closed. • It is illegal to possess while fishing or use for bait Red Swamp Crayfish, White River Crayfish or Rusty Crayfish. If you suspect that you have either collected or purchased one of these species, bring them to a Game and Parks office. • All non-baitfish taken while netting or seining for bait must be returned immediately to the waters from which taken. • The bag and possession limit for personal use is 100 baitfish and 25 listed amphibians. NOTE: Anglers who seine their own baitfish must properly identify the fish species collected to avoid transfer of invasive species. It is illegal to dump baitfish or water from the seining location into a different water body as that could transfer invasive species and fish diseases. Seined baitfish must be transported in domestic water to reduce the chance of transporting diseases or aquatic invasive species. Gizzard Shad and Alewife – May be taken for use as bait by legal dip nets from lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and below dams and other artificial obstructions for a distance of 200 yards below such obstructions. • Live shad and alewife may be used only in the body of water from which they were captured. • Shad and alewife may be taken by legal seine or dip net in

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