Important partners in helping to prevent invasive species introductions
Invasive species cause recreational, economic and ecological damage—changing how residents and visitors use and enjoy Minnesota waters. Businesses in the live plant and animal trades can take these actions to protect Minnesota waters from new introductions of invasive species.
Do you use live bait? Visit our responsible buyers page.
Ensure your business does not buy or sell prohibited invasive species
The following prohibited invasive animals have been documented in the bait trade and are illegal to possess or sell in Minnesota. Additional species that are illegal to possess and sell include all Minnesota prohibited invasive species, state and federal noxious weeds and federally-listed injurious wildlife.
- Faucet snail (Bithynia tentaculata)
- Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
- Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)
- Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)
- Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
- Tubenose gobies (Proterorhinus spp.)
- Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)
- White perch (Morone americana)
Remind your customers to dispose of bait in the trash
It is illegal to release most non-native animals and plants into a free-living state in Minnesota. Remind your customers not to release bait into the environment. A recent survey found that around 30% of anglers had released bait. In order to keep bait for use at a later time, bait bucket water must be exchanged with tap or bottled water prior to leaving any water body (except when fishing through the ice. The exception for ice fishing does not apply when fishing on Lake Superior). The best actions to take if you have unwanted bait are to dispose of the bait in the trash or give it to another angler.
Sign up for our Bait Trade email list
Sign up for the DNR’s email list specifically for bait-related businesses to stay up-to-date on new information, resources, and changes in regulations related to invasive species.
