OutdoorNebraska

OutdoorNebraska.gov | 17 streams, except those streams closed to the taking of baitfish or bait by such method, but cannot be transferred alive and used in other waters. Below Dams – The seining of baitfish, listed amphibians or crayfish is unlawful for a distance of 200 yards below any dam or spillway. In these waters, baitfish, listed amphibians and crayfish may be taken by legal baitfish dip nets for personal use only. Restricted Species – It is unlawful to sell, transport or offer for sale as bait, any live carp, carpsucker, buffalo, gar, quillback, gizzard shad or alewife. Live fish of those species may be used for bait only in the same waters from which they are legally taken. Dead carp, carpsucker, bullhead, buffalo, gar, quillback, gizzard shad or alewife may be transported for use as bait. Live black bullhead, yellow bullhead and green sunfish legally caught may be used for bait in the same waters from which they are taken and in any stream or river. Sport fish may be used for bait if: • they are purchased from a bait dealer that has acquired them legally from a licensed aquaculturist or a nonresident fish dealer. The angler must keep a legible receipt or invoice from the dealer listing the date, seller's name and address, and number and size of each species sold. • they are captured using hook and line and used at the body of water from which they were captured. Anglers must follow both the length and bag limits for that body of water. Importation – It is unlawful for individuals to import live baitfish from out of state for use in inland waters. This does not include the Missouri River. It is unlawful to import or transport live carp, carpsucker, buffalo, quillback, gar, gizzard shad or alewife into the state for use as bait. Special permits are required for a person to import and sell bait or baitfish. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES It is unlawful to take by seine, dip net or trap any baitfish in the following streams, which contain threatened and endangered fish species: Cherry County – Brush Creek, Gordon Creek, Leander Creek and Sandy Richards Creek Dawes County – Niobrara River east of Box Butte Reservoir and west of U.S. Hwy. 385 Keya Paha County – Cottonwood Creek, East Holt Creek and Holt Creek Madison County – Taylor Creek NO-LIVE-BAITFISH AREAS The following areas do not allow the use or possession of live baitfish: Southeast: • Bennington Lake • Big Elk Lake • Conestoga Lake • Duck Creek Recreation Area • Flanagan Lake • Forest City Recreation Area • Glenn Cunningham Lake • Hedgefield Lake • Holmes Lake • Iron Horse Trail Lake • Mad Bear Recreation Area • Marlin Petermann Recreation Area • Meadowlark Lake • Olive Creek Lake • Portal Lake • Prairie Queen Recreation Area • Stagecoach Lake • Standing Bear Lake • Wagon Train SRA/WMA • Wehrspann Lake • Wilber Reservoir, • Wildwood Lake • Yankee Hill Lake South-central: • Ansley City Lake • Arnold Lake Bethphage Pond • Bowman Lake • Cottonmill Lake • Crystal Lake (Adams County) • Holdrege City North Lake • Kirkpatrick Lake • Lake Helen • Melham Lake • Plum Creek Park Lake • Ravenna Lake • West Cozad WMA • Yanney Park Lake Southwest: • East Sutherland WMA • Frenchman WMA • North Platte I-80 Lake • Rock Creek Lake SRA Northwest: • Avocet WMA • Clear Lake (Brown County) • Crescent Lake NWR • Frye Lake • Defair Lake WMA • Rat and Beaver Lake • Valentine NWR Northeast: • Chalkrock Lake • Kramper Lake • Pibel Lake • Skyview Lake • TaHaZouka Park Pond OTHER BAIT RESTRICTIONS White Perch – It is illegal to transport or possess live white perch. The introduction of white perch into new bodies of water may destroy the quality of the fish community and may require the total renovation of the fishery. Dumping – It is illegal to release baitfish or any fish caught from a different body of water into public waters. Exportation – Up to 100 legally captured baitfish and/or 25 listed amphibians may be exported by a resident for personal use for fishing outside the state if allowed by the destination state. Licensed aquaculturists may transport an unlimited number of baitfish that have been artificially propagated in man-made impoundments out of state if allowed by the destination state. Baits and Scents – Cutbait is legal if the fish used has been legally acquired and the size, bag and possession limits for that species and body of water have been followed. It also is legal to chum for fish using nonharmful baits. Anise oil and other scents that do not stun, kill or harm fish are permitted. Leopard Frogs and Barred Tiger Salamanders – All regulations that cover the legal use of baitfish also apply to these species. Leopard frogs can only be collected for individual use, not commercial use. Crayfish – There is no daily possession limit on crayfish. Anyone over the age of 16 must have a bait dealer's license in order to sell crayfish. Crayfish may be captured by hook and line, by hand or by legal fish nets and traps as described below. No permit is needed to collect for personal use.

• Cover