BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota's Game and Fish Department is reminding anglers that fathead minnows, sticklebacks and creek chubs are the only legal live baitfish species that can be used in most North Dakota waters.
The exceptions are the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers, where white suckers are allowed, and 23 state waters where it's illegal to use any live baitfish.
Fisheries Chief Greg Power says that for years the department has worked with the bait industry to help ensure anglers are buying clean and legal minnows at their local bait shops. He says that while today's bait is much cleaner, it's still the responsibility of anglers to possess only legal live baitfish.
Specific regulations regarding bait use can be found in the 2014 to 2016 North Dakota Fishing Guide.