I have heard this twice but can't find it in the book.

What gives?

The game warden can not tell where you got your minnows. I'm not gonna worry about a receipt until they publish the requirement in the TPWD regulations.

This is taken directly from the "Possession and Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species" section of the 2014-2015 outdoor fishing annual available on the TPWD website. Not sure if the print version has it or not, but I suspect it does.

"Transport and use of commercially purchased live bait in water while fishing from a vessel is allowed, provided persons in possession of the bait have a receipt that identifies the source of the bait. Any live bait purchased from a location on or adjacent to a public water body that is transported in water from that water body can only be used as bait on that same water body."

I'm just trying to keep some folks from a ticket; I think that fishermen should want to protect their waters and regulate themselves, but understand the need to enforce a penalty since not everyone is responsible. I just wish there was an exemption for people who raise their own bait.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdo...aquatic-species

Thanks for posting that. Someone told me to keep my receipt or I will get a ticket, I figured the law was put in place so fisherman would not use a net and catch their own bait fish.

This was published in the most recent booklet. I did not know about it until I bought some minnows and the cashier highlighted it for me. I am at work and don't have it on me but I will look it up when I get home.

It because of the zebra mussel [censored].
I think it's bs to mess with someone that has store bought minnows.
The genie is out of the bottle and now they will [censored] off people that had nothing to do with it.

Glad I only use jigs

Wow! Tks guys for posting. I suspect it's also another way to get their share of our money!!!

Are minnows considered "Exotic Aquatic Species"?

Gman

No, but the larvae of zebra mussels are, which may be in water taken from infested waters, so you might inadvertantly contaminate your favorite lake and not every realize it.

If u put your minnows in a bait well with lake water how can they prove that you didn't catch them?

Or if it's in a minnow bucket, you still could have caught them.

True. Or once you hooked your minnows and dropped it in the water if there's a larvae attached to the minnows. Then damaged has been done. In my opinion this is a losing battle against preventing zebra mussels from spreading. We're just slowing the process but in the end the lakes will be infected. Don't get me wrong but I always drain my boat before I leave the lake. I love fishing with minnows when lures don't work.

I was at lake Bob Sandlin bait shop close to the state park, lady told me you can't catch your own bait because you need a receipt to show you purchased them. This was the first I heard of it. But the link above, I see you can catch your own bait, but how do you prove that if asked for a recipt? The reg makes no sense.

The Warden will prob ask to see ur sien net or throw net for proof U did personally catch them.

OK So I get a cash register receipt which identifies the amount of purchase, the date, and location of store. It doesn't say WHAT I bought. Is that sufficient evidence or does the receipt have to specify "minnows."