Dead Farm-raised Trout for Bait in Lakes and Streams

March 15, 2012

Question: Is it legal to use dead farm-raised trout for bait in inland waters? When I read the regulations it seems like only “live trout” is called out. Costco has farm-raised rainbow trout for sale at a great price and I was thinking it might make great catfish bait for my kids. (Marcus)

Answer: No. Trout may not be used for bait (CCR Title 14, sections 4.00-4.30).

When processing the trout, ie, into Sashimi, can it be used as bait? It says that processed foods may be used for bait, and it is not in the exception. When we process the fish like salmon and trout, processing such as filleting it, we will have waste products such as the head, skin, guts, bones, roe, I have seen various people in Oregon and Alaska use them as bait for halibut and crabs. In California, I have seen fishermen use these fish waste products from fish processing as bait. Is it illegal to use when it says that processed food may be used as bait?

If the trout is farm raised in an ocean and is dead, it is a dead ocean fish by all definition and in the 2014-2015 DFG printed regulations  Section 4.00 (f) SUPERSEDES the ruling in 4.20 that prohibits using of trout or salmon. This means that you can use a dead ocean fish, whatever that fish is, even if it is a trout or salmon as in 4.20, it is superseded.

If this is not what the DFG really intended, the language of the regulation should be rewritten very clearly.


4.00. BAIT-GENERAL.
Legally acquired and possessed invertebrates, mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians (except salamanders), fish eggs and treated and processed foods may be used for bait, except:
(a) No species specified as endangered, threatened, candidate, fully-protected, or otherwise protected under state and federal law may be used as bait. (b) No salamander may be used as bait. See section 5.05 for other amphibians that may be used as bait. (c) See Section 5.35 for restrictions on crayfish;
(d) See Section 7.50(b)(74) for restriction on bait collecting in Hat Creek;
(e) No trout may be maintained or possessed in a live condition in any container on or attached to any boat;
(f) Except for restrictions listed under special regulations, dead ocean fish may be used as bait statewide. This section supersedes the provisions of sections 4.10, 4.15, 4.20, 4.25 and 4.30.

trout aren't raised in the ocean.

Spotted Seatrout

That's not a trout.  It's a weakfish isn't it?

Also, trout and salmon can be used as bait - in the ocean.  Just not inland in certain areas.

1.86. TROUT.
Includes all trouts, chars, steelhead, kokanee salmon and grayling.

So a kokanee is a trout, not a salmon   

Cut Sac pike or suckers are excellent bait for monster rainbows !