With Spring in swing, the fish are in constant increase of their activity and you need bait! Well, for me a minnow trap is my best friend. A good way to save yourself some money on bait is to consider a Live Bait Trap. But, there are rules...those regulations...all that stuff. So, let's take a look at what it offers and what you can or cannot do around Lake of the Ozarks. But, we need to clear some things up for using one at Lake of the Ozarks. For me, I have a natural creek that feeds directly into the Lake of the Ozarks in the backyard, so have a season supply of usable bait within a proper natural body of water. For those around or on Lake of the Ozarks - you CAN use these traps in the Lake, but, like everything in life - there are rules. Which, brings up another rule of thumb; if you're trapping from another body of water - NEVER DUMP YOUR LEFTOVERS INTO THE LAKE! That's bad....mmmm'kay?!?!? While we are semi-consistent with species around our state, our waterways are finicky and new species, no matter how innocent it may seem, can place havoc into a natural ecosystem. While I gather from the creek; that creek is also dumping the same species into the body of water I am fishing. So, if you're using a trap or seine with a natural creek that feeds the lake, or, getting from the lake itself you're alleviating any questions or concerns around upsetting the balance of a lake and it's own ecosystem. When you begin to stray outside of that, well, questions come into play - usually with unfavorable answer. Whether it's a body or water, the forest, or wherever, always remember the sensitivity to the ecosystem within that particular environment. It really is the small things we do that go a long way, especially with our outdoor environment. Always keep that in mind because doing so REALLY does go a long way, a long way into our future and the next generation - teach now to pay dividends down the road.
But, the rules around bait traps within Lake of the Ozarks are as follows (Brief Summary):
Live Bait
Live bait includes: crayfish, freshwater shrimp, southern leopard frogs, plains leopard frogs, cricket frogs and nongame fish . Bullfrogs and green frogs taken under season limits and methods listed on Page 14 also may be used as bait .
◾ Bighead carp and silver carp may not be used as live bait but may be used as dead or cut bait .
◾ Live bait taken from public waters of Missouri may not be sold or transported from the state .
◾ Game fish or their parts may not be used as bait .
◾ New! Live crayfish may no longer be purchased for bait . Frozen or preserved crayfish still may be purchased for bait, and live crayfish may be taken for bait under the methods and limits listed below .
Methods
◾ Live bait may be taken by trap, dip net, throw net, pole and line or seine .
◾ Live-bait traps must have a throat opening not more than 11/2 inches in any dimension, and must be labeled with the user’s full name and address, or Conservation Number .
◾ Traps must be removed if they cannot be checked at least once every 24 hours .
◾ Seines must not be more than 20 feet long and 4 feet deep, with a mesh of not more than 1/2 inch bar measure . ◾ Live bait, except fish, may be taken by hand .
◾ Crayfish also may be taken by trap with an opening not to exceed 11/2 inches by 18 inches .
*Read more HERE! Know the rules...it makes life easier in doing so. Ya know.
Ok. I read it, I get it, I'm following it...what now?
There are many options for you to either obtain or even make your own Minnow/Live Bait Trap. Personally...I simply went the route of buying one. But, there are many options out there for making your own, from using two liter bottles to mason jars or like mine - wire wrapped. If you want to make your own, follow this link and you will see many options. The picture posted above is what I use, meets all the rules, regulations, and while it wasn't "hands on" for making your own - usable right out of the box. I should also mention that conventional wisdom (and State Regs/Rules) says - DO NOT go putting your Live Bait Trap in someone else's space, creek, or whatever. Not good. Following a few simple things will take you through the season with good bait, and, good fishing all without any hassle.
Bait the trap...?
Well, you'll read about or develop your own method for baiting the trap. Some swear by this, others by that, my advice - do what works best for you. For me? I am noticing I have to vary back and forth between dog food (dry) and crackers (Saltines). I can put the Live Bait Trap out with dog food for a couple of rounds with good results, but, they must be finicky eaters since I notice a need to change my bait...to get the bait. You can play around with this on your own; bread rolled in a tight ball, dog or cat food (I've read of folks having success with canned foods), Crackers, even Cheetos! So...see what works best for you. A bit of pre-feeding before putting the Live Bait Trap out will give you a good idea of what your bait likes to eat, this is also a bit of a 'lead in' before you place the trap. You may need to go back and forth with bait, especially if like me and pulling the bait from the same creek; seems like they get used to the bait (food) and it becomes a 'burned out' scenario. This time around I'm trying Saltines to see if that increases numbers in the trap. The first few times with dry dog food it filled the bait bucket, numbers gradually declined while using the same dog food. So, now trying crackers. I'll update with results. A good rule of thumb if using bread - roll into ball, let it go hard/stale; simple reasoning behind it since doing so means the stale or hard bread will last longer in water. But, again, experiment on your own and please let us know what works in comments! Sharing information means good fishing for all!
Keep your eye on the blog for our new series of "Fishing around Forbes Lake of the Ozarks Park". We'll cover the five miles of shoreline around here along with our own private lakes and ponds. In the meantime - Cheers to good fishing!
But, the rules around bait traps within Lake of the Ozarks are as follows (Brief Summary):
Live Bait
Live bait includes: crayfish, freshwater shrimp, southern leopard frogs, plains leopard frogs, cricket frogs and nongame fish . Bullfrogs and green frogs taken under season limits and methods listed on Page 14 also may be used as bait .
◾ Bighead carp and silver carp may not be used as live bait but may be used as dead or cut bait .
◾ Live bait taken from public waters of Missouri may not be sold or transported from the state .
◾ Game fish or their parts may not be used as bait .
◾ New! Live crayfish may no longer be purchased for bait . Frozen or preserved crayfish still may be purchased for bait, and live crayfish may be taken for bait under the methods and limits listed below .
Methods
◾ Live bait may be taken by trap, dip net, throw net, pole and line or seine .
◾ Live-bait traps must have a throat opening not more than 11/2 inches in any dimension, and must be labeled with the user’s full name and address, or Conservation Number .
◾ Traps must be removed if they cannot be checked at least once every 24 hours .
◾ Seines must not be more than 20 feet long and 4 feet deep, with a mesh of not more than 1/2 inch bar measure . ◾ Live bait, except fish, may be taken by hand .
◾ Crayfish also may be taken by trap with an opening not to exceed 11/2 inches by 18 inches .
*Read more HERE! Know the rules...it makes life easier in doing so. Ya know.
Ok. I read it, I get it, I'm following it...what now?
There are many options for you to either obtain or even make your own Minnow/Live Bait Trap. Personally...I simply went the route of buying one. But, there are many options out there for making your own, from using two liter bottles to mason jars or like mine - wire wrapped. If you want to make your own, follow this link and you will see many options. The picture posted above is what I use, meets all the rules, regulations, and while it wasn't "hands on" for making your own - usable right out of the box. I should also mention that conventional wisdom (and State Regs/Rules) says - DO NOT go putting your Live Bait Trap in someone else's space, creek, or whatever. Not good. Following a few simple things will take you through the season with good bait, and, good fishing all without any hassle.
Bait the trap...?
Well, you'll read about or develop your own method for baiting the trap. Some swear by this, others by that, my advice - do what works best for you. For me? I am noticing I have to vary back and forth between dog food (dry) and crackers (Saltines). I can put the Live Bait Trap out with dog food for a couple of rounds with good results, but, they must be finicky eaters since I notice a need to change my bait...to get the bait. You can play around with this on your own; bread rolled in a tight ball, dog or cat food (I've read of folks having success with canned foods), Crackers, even Cheetos! So...see what works best for you. A bit of pre-feeding before putting the Live Bait Trap out will give you a good idea of what your bait likes to eat, this is also a bit of a 'lead in' before you place the trap. You may need to go back and forth with bait, especially if like me and pulling the bait from the same creek; seems like they get used to the bait (food) and it becomes a 'burned out' scenario. This time around I'm trying Saltines to see if that increases numbers in the trap. The first few times with dry dog food it filled the bait bucket, numbers gradually declined while using the same dog food. So, now trying crackers. I'll update with results. A good rule of thumb if using bread - roll into ball, let it go hard/stale; simple reasoning behind it since doing so means the stale or hard bread will last longer in water. But, again, experiment on your own and please let us know what works in comments! Sharing information means good fishing for all!
Keep your eye on the blog for our new series of "Fishing around Forbes Lake of the Ozarks Park". We'll cover the five miles of shoreline around here along with our own private lakes and ponds. In the meantime - Cheers to good fishing!
Author
FrostyMelon; A guy who enjoys fishing and helping others to share in the same enjoyment