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I was curious about other states though. Can those from Texas, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, Ohio, Indiana etc that frequently discuss bringing home their catch (fresh and saltwater) and putting it in their pond on this forum give some idea on how their local ordinance allows this or perhaps their laws are vague like ours in Michigan?

I believe it is illegal here in Indiana to move fish from one public waterway to another public waterway, without a permit. Moving a fish from a public waterway to a private waterway, (provided that fish is not considered invasive), seems to me to be no different than harvesting it for the table. If the fish was taken legally, and not relocated to another public BOW, then as far as I know it's yours to do with as you please.....eat, or restock into private waters. How would the powers that be know what happened to that fish once it left the public lake in your possession?

Hopefully someone else who knows for certain will speak up and correct me.

I cant speak for all states but most of this info is published online. Texas is ok as long as you follow size and bag limits.


https://tpwd.texas.gov/faq/landwater/fisheries/

Can I catch fish in public water and take them home to stock my pond?

Fish that are legally harvested from public water may be stocked in a private pond. “Legally harvested” fish are caught by someone who holds the required fishing license, observing all applicable length limits, daily bag limits, and gear restrictions. For more information on licenses and regulations, see the Texas Outdoor Annual.

Here in MN there is no question as to how the laws read. Transporting fish alive without a permit is illegal from any body of water public or private.

3 cheers for Texas for spelling it out on their web page in a clear manner!!!

MNfish, do you mind showing us the link or doing a cut and paste so we can see the letter of the law?

sprkplug, I agree with you, if it is not illegal to have it in your possession based on bag limits, season, appropriate fishing license, then how can they regulate you putting it in your private pond or private swimming pool or stock tank? And if that is strictly forbidden, shouldn't that be spelled out in an easy to find place in the state code?

Mnfish- lets say you are on the way home from fishing and you get pulled over. Your cooler is filled with ice and fish, and one fish is still flopping around in your cooler ( yes -still alive). Guesss you could be in trouble??? Do they require fish to be cleaned at point of take out?

A fish hauler was arrested not too long ago going into Canada because fish were iced with no water and one was still able to flop around.

On ice would be fine. They don't have to be cleaned. It's about the fish AND the lake water. We have such a problem with invasive's like zebra mussels. Our DNR is really trying to slow down the spread.

Tony,

I know at one time it was legal to move fish from public waters to private within Indiana. I think that is still the case unless that has changed. However it is not only illegal to move fish from public to public or from a private source to public without a permit, but it is now illegal to move fish from the Great Lakes into any body of water in Indiana due to the VHS situation.

As far as the question of drum not being on the prohibited list in Michigan, that is a moot point as Drum are on the VHS susceptible list, so they have to have VHS testing to be brought across state lines.

If you can find wild source within the state that is not from the Great Lakes perhaps you would be fine.

And Canada fined Mark, I believe it was $5000.00, they confiscated the fish, and sold them at a nice tidy profit.