Fishing responsibly with live baitfish

Anglers are on the front lines of protecting Maine’s waters. Using live bait responsibly helps prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Help protect Maine's fisheries: 

• Always check fishing regulations to ensure live baitfish/live smelts are allowed to be used in that water. Remember, live baitfish laws are different in the North and South Zones - learn more.
  
  
• At the end of the day or if rebaiting, never put old bait in the water body or down your hole. Dispose of it on land or in the trash where it cannot get into the water. 
  
  
• Dispose of unused worms in the trash, not in the water or on land.
  
  
• Nonresident anglers visiting Maine are reminded that it is illegal to bring baitfish into the state of Maine, and those who do are subject to a $10,000 fine. This law prevents new species of fish and invasive hitchhikers in the bait bucket water from being introduced and harming Maine’s fish communities.

With an estimated 90% of baitfish sales occurring during winter, it’s important for anglers to be aware of Maine’s live-bait regulations. Because of the importance of our freshwater ecosystems, we walk a fine line trying to prevent the illegal introduction of harmful fish species while allowing anglers to continue Maine’s cultural tradition of using live baitfish where appropriate.

Can I use live fish as bait?

The answer to this question depends on if you are fishing in the North Zone or South Zone:

SOUTH ZONE: If you are fishing in the South Zone, use of all legal forms of bait (including live baitfish/smelts), artificial lures, and artificial flies is PERMITTED under General Fishing Law.

Exception: Some waters in the South Zone have the “S-4” Special Law Code, meaning use or possession of live fish as bait is prohibited (the use of dead fish, salmon eggs, or worms is permitted) or other live bait prohibitions. To see if the water you intend to fish in the South Zone has this special law, look in the Special Fishing Laws to see if the water is listed and has the S-4 code or other prohibition. If the water is not listed under special fishing laws then it falls under General Law and live bait is allowed, if the water is listed but does not have the S-4 code, then live baitfish is allowed.

NORTH ZONE: Under the North Zone General Fishing Law, the use or possession of live fish as bait is PROHIBITED, unless the individual water contains Special Fishing Laws to allow the use of live fish as bait. This conservation approach helps protect the abundant native resources in this part of the state.To determine if the North Zone water you wish to fish allows the use of live baitfish, find the water in the Special Fishing Laws section and look for the “S-11” Special Law Code indicating that the use or possession of live baitfish/live smelts is permitted.  If your water is in the North Zone, and has that “S-11” Special Law Code, you can use live baitfish/live smelts.

North and South Zone: Waters in both the South and North Zones with Special Law Code "ALO" do not permit live baitfish, smelt, worms, or dead baitfish. These waters are artificial lures only.  

You can also find which waters have Special Fishing Laws using the FLOAT tool. Click here to open FLOAT. 

View answers to other frequently asked questions.