rules interpretation please.

[novice]

I have fished for mackinaw @ Odell lake for a few years now with very limited success. Last year I got the bright idea to mooch a kokanee and fish as if I were using herring for salmon. Well... Fish On....
I have never seen anyone else fishing this way @ Odell(Illegal??)
Now, after telling a few friends of my success the issue of legality came into play. Everyone I talked to told me I caught the fish illegally. There are no bait restrictions for Odell lake. The issue of using one game fish to catch another got me thinking so I called the local game cop who informed me I did nothing wrong or unethical.
Now, at Crescent Lake this would be illegal because there is a bait restriction for that lake.
Is this an unethical way to CnR macks????
Is it any different than catching some shad and then going gator fishin???
thanks

novice

[Bait O' Eggs]

Novice - I dont doubt you when you tell me Cresent lake has a bait restriction. I have never fished it and wouldnt know one way or the other. I just looked at the regulations and dont see the bait restriction. Where is it stated cresent lake is artificial only? I was looking at Cresent lake in Klamath Co.

I would guess the use of a kokanee to catch a makinaw would be illegal. I didnt research this in the regs.

[novice]

It was explained to me by the warden that bait is bait. Worms or otherwise. If you the fisherman want to catch a kokanee and use it as bait it is fine. As long as it comes from the same body of water.
I believe last years synopsis had the bait restriction for Crescent.. Maybe they changed it for this year.

[Joe Schwab]

Dead game or non game fish may be used for bait period. this is not wanton waste. Wanton waste is when you toss a perfectly good usable fish into the garbage or alongside the road or elsewhere. Yes it is legal to use legally taken trout for sturgeon bait. It is also legal to use legally taken salmon for sturgeon or crab bait.

[orsturgeon]

The Capt. is correct. It is legal. I too may give this a try.

[img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Phish_on]

I think you're good to go if the kokanee is dead:

(general regulations)
Use of Fish for Bait
1. It is unlawful to transport live fish between bodies of water.
2. Live fish may not be used or held for use as bait, except live nongame fish may be used in the ocean, bays and tidewa-ters
when taken from the waterbody in which they will be used.
3. Dead fish, preserved fish, or parts of fish, shellfish and fish eggs may be used as bait.

You want to use one of your SMALLER kokanee I guess ? I just might give your secret method a try!

[SailCat]

Hi, novice-

My concern with the scenario, even given that a body of water has no bait restrictions whatsoever, is that the use of kokanee for bait would be construed as a "wanton waste of gamefish" which is illegal state-wide.

Good luck to you wherever and however you decide to fish!

~Michael T.

[OR Coast Range]

Using salmon for crab bait???

Maybe the carcass [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[novice]

thanks for the info guys..
Can't wait for memorial weekend.
Anyone with any other tricks for catching Mackinaw can sound off or email me please.
Trick will be to catch a small enough kokanee to rig up..
I am glad my interp. of the regs were correct.
Thanks
novice


It's time for a big mack attack!!!!!