Do You Have Too Many Minnows in Your Bucket?

The Pa Fish and Boat Commission is going to start counting minnows in your bucket.  It appears that some people net as many minnows as they can, not knowing that this practice is illegal.  Remember, your PA fishing license only entitles you to have a total of 50 minnows in your bucket and in possession; unless your minnows were purchased from a licensed commercial bait dealer. 

If you do purchase your minnows, make sure that you keep a receipt if you have more than 50 minnows in your bucket.  The receipt can be thrown away (please keep it out of the water) once your minnows are dumped back into the lake or disposed of. 

If you would like to catch more than 50 minnows a day, you can now purchase a netting license for $10.00.   This annual license allows you to net 200 minnows a day and have a total of 200 minnows in possession.  If you do not have this license and you net minnows, expect to be checked.  I do not know what the fine is for having too many minnows in your bucket is, but I would not risk it.  You could probably lose your fishing privileges or get slapped with a hefty fine.  For more information on this new netting license, please visit: 

Lake Erie Cast Net Permit Application

NOTE:  This license only applies to those who fish Lake Erie and Presque Isle Peninsula waters.  Other areas of the state must have a different net permit.  Minnows taken out of Lake Erie or the bay must only be fished in Lake Erie or the bay.  They cannot be legally transported to other waters in or out of the state.