I was looking at the government of ontario regulations and could only find information on the use of live bait, does anybody know the links concerning dead bait? I'm wondering if I can use frozen fish from the grocery store, or do I have to have a receipt for a bait store? thanks.
Noob question about bait
- Thread starter apz245
- Start date
Help Support Ontario Fishing Forums:
FishingNoob
Well-Known Member
I'm pretty sure, you can use frozen shrimp. Not sure about fish though.
CanadianAngler87
Well-Known Member
As Rusty said the live bait regulations are to stop invasive fish entering a water system. For example, a guy goes and catches his own bait fish from a local river. He then takes the live bait to an other system and fishes with them. At the end of his fishing day he has left over bait so he dumps the remainder in the water. Now that system has bait fish thay may not have been there before. Using a dead herring or something from a grocery store elimnates that as the bait isn't going to magicaly come back alive and invade the body of water. However maybe there are other reasons? Bacterias from the dead fish? Its a good question!
AaronKrick
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2012
- Messages
- 2,462
I have used frozen shrimp before. As the other guys stated, the MNR is worried about species invading. You could probably use frozen fish, but i don't know if you'd catch anything with it though.
dockmuskie
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2012
- Messages
- 150
deleted post
topwaterjoe
Well-Known Member
I do not recall ever seeing anything published by the MNR in regards to using dead bait.
Check out this link:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/198684.html
From their you can find out about what is savvy for live bait, but again, it does not mention anything about dead bait.
BPS sells vacuum sealed bags of dead shiners and I've heard folks in NY state like to squeeze flat-fish lures into sardines, herring and smelt. Also heard of channel cat anglers using dead fish for cut-bait.
CanadianAngler87
Well-Known Member
An old guy that fishes Pike at a spot I frequent regulary in the spring(before the crowds show) uses packed fish from the store. He gets fish on them but I have never seen him catch anything but Pike. And the spot is more knowen for its walleye. However I think he wants the Pike but its hard to understand him through his thick accent lol.
Seems logical, and in response to your second post.. Basically I'm only thinking of doing this for Pike, I've heard smelly frozen fish like herring, smelt, and others are really good at attracting Pike, and Catfish too!
Thanks for all the responses.
What were you using frozen shrimp for? The only reason I could think the ministry would have something against it is maybe its unsportsmanlike? i dunno, I don't why it would be though.
I did a pretty thorough search, I made this post out of frustration, unable to find anything on the ministry regulations, and google search just led me to confusing threads from other websites on the same topic.
I'll search again when I have more time, I dunno if its worth risking unless I find something concrete. I have an idea, maybe I'll call the ministry myself. (If I do, I'll make sure to post any information I get from them.)
AaronKrick
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2012
- Messages
- 2,462
I was fishing for catfish :grin:
munkinstein
Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2012
- Messages
- 5
Dead bait don't work? Really, its what I've used to catch 20 + lb pike in the U.K. It's all anyone uses really.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFd2X8mwx0A
Some nice pike in this vid, Hope it works out for me like that lol; I just want to give it a couple of tries, I hear it can be really productive.
muskyman
Member
large frozen sardines do wonders on a tip up for hardwater pike...well has worked for me, dont thaw them out though they get too soft and fall off the hook 
