Legality of collecting fish for captive care

I found this link:

http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/faq/collect.htm

But it only mentions game fish. That means that non-game fish can be collected too, right?

Stupid question?

I don't know Wisconsin laws, but the fish we're primarily interested in are probably covered under "bait fish" regulations somewhere on that same web site.

Although they appear to clearly be only directly addressing sport fish, what they seem to be saying is that if you collect it legally then you can keep it. I think it is a safe assumption that the same principle applies to all fish, including bait fish. If you collect it legally, you can keep it. I wouldn't worry about it.

Although they appear to clearly be only directly addressing sport fish, what they seem to be saying is that if you collect it legally then you can keep it. I think it is a safe assumption that the same principle applies to all fish, including bait fish. If you collect it legally, you can keep it. I wouldn't worry about it.

Okay. So what about non-bait fish that aren't sport fish either, like a bowfin or something (not that I want to get one)? Just curious.

John,

Native non-game fish can be legally caught and kept in your aquarium as long as you catch them using approved methods. Most native non-game fish are termed "minnows". The approved methods for collecting them are found on page 15 of the state fishing regs.

At last month's Southeast Wisconsin native fishes meeting, DNR game warden Ben Herzfeldt told us that this year you don't even need a fishing license to catch native non-game fish. I would buy one, though, just to be safe.

If you want more info about our native fish in Wisconsin, come to our next native fish meeting. The info for it is posted in this portion of the forum. Hope to see you there!

Native non-game fish can be legally caught and kept in your aquarium as long as you catch them using approved methods. Most native non-game fish are termed "minnows". The approved methods for collecting them are found on page 15 of the state fishing regs.

I've also heard the term "rough fish" used to refer to native, non-game, non-minnow fish. I found that in a two year old state fishing booklet.

I have a license and I use approved methods, so all's good.

Thanks, and I will check out that info you gave me. Maybe I'll see you there!

"Rough fish" are specifically named as such in the regulations. Carp, gar, bowfin, suckers, and others. There is some overlap with minnows. Rough fish have very open regulation, spearing, bow-fishing, etc. are allowed. This is pretty well outlined in the fishing regs handout.

The WI DNR FAQ was interesting. It brings pickeral back into the picture (maybe). I wonder how easy it would be to get a "scientific collector's permit". Probably requires a bit beyond, "I like fish, they are really cool." But I bet a teacher or a grad student could get one.

Most states more or less require solid scientific affiliation and purposes for the issuance of a scientific collecting permit. You have to have explicit species and locations in mind for collection for research purposes, and a plan for the disposition of species (i.e., part of a museum or university collection?). Even a state like Alabama with relaxed regulations is still very bureaucratic about issuing SCPs. I just renewed mine, and the paperwork took about a whole day's worth of work, mostly reporting exactly how many of each species I collected at a given location, GPS coordinates, and disposition of specimens (all in my own university collection, except for some darters sent to Tom Near).

Those states that allow the collection of non-game fishes for whatever purpose generally only require a fishing license for small-scale collecting, like shiners for your home aquarium.

I've also heard the term "rough fish" used to refer to native, non-game, non-minnow fish. I found that in a two year old state fishing booklet.

I have a license and I use approved methods, so all's good.

Thanks, and I will check out that info you gave me. Maybe I'll see you there!

John,

In Wisconsin, "rough fish" are: dace, suckers, carp, goldfish, redhorse, freshwater drum, burbot, bowfin, gar, buffalo, lamprey, alewife, gizzard shad, smelt, mooneye, and carpsuckers. (Regs., page 13).

Look forward to seeing you at the Discovery World trip and meeting if you can come! Please remember, if you want to come to the Discovery World trip, send me a PM or email to let me know how many people of what age groups will be in your party. Thanks!

Brian

Brian J. Torreano - Owner
BTDarters
American-Native Fish for your
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