This is one of my favorite sections on MFK, Native Fish. What is making me start to hate it is when someone makes a post about native fish, the MFK DNR folks feel the need to tell them this and that, in almost every new post, it gets very old, very fast. So here are the rules and regulations for each and every state that I could find so we can clean up some of the useless posts and have more helpful posts in this section. Its ultimately up to the member/OP to abide by the rules, not other MFK members.
Please note that the rules and regulations can change at any time so please check with your state website periodically. Should you not find your answer on your states DNR website, you should contact them for your definite answer, not necessarily a member from MFK that may be talking of the top of their head. Even though your answer may be embedded somewhere on their site already, it could be hard to find. When I cant find my answer, I email or call my State DNR.
I will be posting several links per state depending on how they have their information spread out. One page may have the size limits, creel limits while another page may list a possession limits, legal and illegal to poses, etc.
I do realize some sites have what is allowed, not allowed, prohibited species, etc. But since that can be changed at any time without notice its best to have a direct link to the site itself rather than worrying about updating outdated information.
If anything needs to be added please do so and make sure to post a live link to the source so we have 100% confirmation otherwise it will not be used.
Dont assume just because its not listed, mentioned, stated, etc. that it is legal or illegal. You should always contact your state DNR first.
Alabama
http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/
http://www.outdooralabama.com/research-mgmt/regulations/reg220-2-26.cfm
http://www.outdooralabama.com/watchable-wildlife/regulations/nongame.cfm
Alaska
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishregulations.main
Arizona
http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/fishing_rules.shtml
http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/h_f/regulations/FishingRegulations.pdf
http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/documents/2011-2012 Laws and Rules Book.pdf
Arkansas
http://www.agfc.com/fishing/Pages/FishingRegulations.aspx
http://www.agfc.com/licenses/Pages/LicensesFishing.aspx
California
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/regulations.asp
Colorado
http://wildlife.state.co.us/fishing/seasondatesandfees/Pages/SeasonDatesAndFees.aspx
http://www.flipseekpubs.com/publication/?i=99616
Connecticut
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2696&q=322716
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2704&q=323512&depNav_GID=1511
Delaware
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/fisheries/pages/recfishsizeseasoncreel.aspx
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Fisheries/Documents/Summary rec regs 2012.pdf
Florida
http://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/
http://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/general/
Georgia
http://www.georgiawildlife.com/fishing/regulations
Hawaii
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/regulations.html
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/regulations_special_provis.html
Idaho
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/
Illinois
http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/fishing/Pages/default.aspx
Indiana
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2347.htm
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2362.htm
Iowa
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/FishingLicensesLaws.aspx
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/FishingLicensesLaws/AdditionalRegulations.aspx
Kansas
http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/
http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Statewide-Creel-Length-Limits
http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Legal-Bait
Kentucky
http://fw.ky.gov/navigation.aspx?cid=203&NavPath=C101
http://fw.ky.gov/fishlimits.asp
Louisiana
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/regulations
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/proposedregulations
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/aquatic-species
Maine
http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/regulations_seasons/index.htm
http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/species/index.htm
Maryland
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/table.asp?c=recreational
http://dnr.maryland.gov/service/fishing_license.asp
http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishing_guide/guide.pdf
http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/no_page2.asp?page=http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishforms.html
Massachusetts
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/regulations_exotic.htm
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/fishing/fishing_home.htm
Michigan
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_52261_52262---,00.html
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_18958---,00.html
Minnesota
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/pubs/
Mississippi
http://www.mdwfp.com/
http://www.mdwfp.com/fishing-boating/fishing-regulations.aspx
Missouri
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/do-not-harvest-list
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/fish-id-and-measuring
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/general-fishing-rules
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/general-fishing-rules/general-fishing-methods
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/general-fishing-provisions/possession-and-length-limits
Montana
http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/regulations/
http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/exotics/
http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/speciesOfConcern/
http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/ais/
Nebraska
http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/fishing/guides/fishguide/fgregs.asp
http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/fishing.asp
http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/fishing/guides/fishguide/fgregs.asp
Nevada
http://www.ndow.org/
http://www.ndow.org/fish/index.shtm
http://www.ndow.org/law/regs/fishregs/index.shtm
Nevada
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm
http://www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/fishing/freshwater/
New Jersey
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fishing.htm
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/njregs.htm#fishing
New Mexico
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/recreation/fishing/index.htm
New York
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7917.html
North Carolina
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing.aspx
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/LawsSafety.aspx
North Dakota
http://gf.nd.gov/fishing/
http://gf.nd.gov/fishing/aquatic-nuisance-species
http://gf.nd.gov/fishing/2012-2014-fishing-regulations-guide
Ohio
http://www.ohiodnr.com/
http://ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/fishing.aspx
http://ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/fishing_sites.aspx
Oklahoma
http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishing.htm
http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishing/fishspecies.htm
Oregon
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/reg_changes/index.asp
Pennsylvania
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/
http://fishandboat.com/fishing.htm
http://fishandboat.com/regs_fish.htm
Rhode Island
http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bpoladm/manserv/hfb/index.htm
http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bpoladm/manserv/hfb/fishing/fishing.htm
http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/index.htm#FandW
South Carolina
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/fishing.html
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/fishspecies.html
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/water/envaff/aquatic/index.html
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regulations.html
South Dakota
http://gfp.sd.gov/fishing-boating/
http://gfp.sd.gov/fishing-boating/rules-regs.aspx
Tennessee
http://www.tn.gov/twra/rulesandregs.html
http://www.tn.gov/twra/fish/fishmain.html
Texas
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/fishreport.phtml
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/aquaticspecies/inland.phtml
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations/fish_hunt/
Utah
http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/
http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/fishing.html
http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/fishing/guidebooks.html
Vermont
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish_sportfish.cfm
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/lawsdigest.cfm
Virginia
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/fish/
Washington
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/freshwater.html
West Virginia
http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/fishing.shtm
http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/Fishing_regs.shtm
http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/Regs12/regs_FishID.pdf
Wisconsin
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/regulations_index.html
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/hookline.html
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/documents/FishingRegs12-13_web.pdf#fishrestric
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/documents/FishingRegs12-13_web.pdf#urbanfish
Wyoming
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/home.aspx
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/fishing-1000428.aspx#fishregs
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/fishing-1000206.aspx
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/fishing-1000216.aspx
Please note that the rules and regulations can change at any time so please check with your state website periodically. Should you not find your answer on your states DNR website, you should contact them for your definite answer, not necessarily a member from MFK that may be talking of the top of their head. Even though your answer may be embedded somewhere on their site already, it could be hard to find. When I cant find my answer, I email or call my State DNR.
I will be posting several links per state depending on how they have their information spread out. One page may have the size limits, creel limits while another page may list a possession limits, legal and illegal to poses, etc.
I do realize some sites have what is allowed, not allowed, prohibited species, etc. But since that can be changed at any time without notice its best to have a direct link to the site itself rather than worrying about updating outdated information.
If anything needs to be added please do so and make sure to post a live link to the source so we have 100% confirmation otherwise it will not be used.
Dont assume just because its not listed, mentioned, stated, etc. that it is legal or illegal. You should always contact your state DNR first.
Alabama
http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/
http://www.outdooralabama.com/research-mgmt/regulations/reg220-2-26.cfm
http://www.outdooralabama.com/watchable-wildlife/regulations/nongame.cfm
Alaska
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishregulations.main
Arizona
http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/fishing_rules.shtml
http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/h_f/regulations/FishingRegulations.pdf
http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/documents/2011-2012 Laws and Rules Book.pdf
Arkansas
http://www.agfc.com/fishing/Pages/FishingRegulations.aspx
http://www.agfc.com/licenses/Pages/LicensesFishing.aspx
California
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/regulations.asp
Colorado
http://wildlife.state.co.us/fishing/seasondatesandfees/Pages/SeasonDatesAndFees.aspx
http://www.flipseekpubs.com/publication/?i=99616
Connecticut
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2696&q=322716
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2704&q=323512&depNav_GID=1511
Delaware
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/fisheries/pages/recfishsizeseasoncreel.aspx
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Fisheries/Documents/Summary rec regs 2012.pdf
Florida
http://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/
http://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/general/
Georgia
http://www.georgiawildlife.com/fishing/regulations
Hawaii
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/regulations.html
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/regulations_special_provis.html
Idaho
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/
Illinois
http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/fishing/Pages/default.aspx
Indiana
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2347.htm
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2362.htm
Iowa
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/FishingLicensesLaws.aspx
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/FishingLicensesLaws/AdditionalRegulations.aspx
Kansas
http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/
http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Statewide-Creel-Length-Limits
http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Legal-Bait
Kentucky
http://fw.ky.gov/navigation.aspx?cid=203&NavPath=C101
http://fw.ky.gov/fishlimits.asp
Louisiana
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/regulations
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/proposedregulations
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/aquatic-species
Maine
http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/regulations_seasons/index.htm
http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/species/index.htm
Maryland
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/table.asp?c=recreational
http://dnr.maryland.gov/service/fishing_license.asp
http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishing_guide/guide.pdf
http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/no_page2.asp?page=http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishforms.html
Massachusetts
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/regulations_exotic.htm
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/fishing/fishing_home.htm
Michigan
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_52261_52262---,00.html
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_18958---,00.html
Minnesota
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/pubs/
Mississippi
http://www.mdwfp.com/
http://www.mdwfp.com/fishing-boating/fishing-regulations.aspx
Missouri
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/do-not-harvest-list
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/fish-id-and-measuring
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/general-fishing-rules
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/general-fishing-rules/general-fishing-methods
http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/general-fishing-provisions/possession-and-length-limits
Montana
http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/regulations/
http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/exotics/
http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/speciesOfConcern/
http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/ais/
Nebraska
http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/fishing/guides/fishguide/fgregs.asp
http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/fishing.asp
http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/fishing/guides/fishguide/fgregs.asp
Nevada
http://www.ndow.org/
http://www.ndow.org/fish/index.shtm
http://www.ndow.org/law/regs/fishregs/index.shtm
Nevada
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm
http://www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/fishing/freshwater/
New Jersey
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fishing.htm
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/njregs.htm#fishing
New Mexico
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/recreation/fishing/index.htm
New York
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7917.html
North Carolina
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing.aspx
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/LawsSafety.aspx
North Dakota
http://gf.nd.gov/fishing/
http://gf.nd.gov/fishing/aquatic-nuisance-species
http://gf.nd.gov/fishing/2012-2014-fishing-regulations-guide
Ohio
http://www.ohiodnr.com/
http://ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/fishing.aspx
http://ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/fishing_sites.aspx
Oklahoma
http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishing.htm
http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishing/fishspecies.htm
Oregon
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/reg_changes/index.asp
Pennsylvania
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/
http://fishandboat.com/fishing.htm
http://fishandboat.com/regs_fish.htm
Rhode Island
http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bpoladm/manserv/hfb/index.htm
http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bpoladm/manserv/hfb/fishing/fishing.htm
http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/index.htm#FandW
South Carolina
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/fishing.html
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/fishspecies.html
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/water/envaff/aquatic/index.html
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regulations.html
South Dakota
http://gfp.sd.gov/fishing-boating/
http://gfp.sd.gov/fishing-boating/rules-regs.aspx
Tennessee
http://www.tn.gov/twra/rulesandregs.html
http://www.tn.gov/twra/fish/fishmain.html
Texas
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/fishreport.phtml
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/aquaticspecies/inland.phtml
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations/fish_hunt/
Utah
http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/
http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/fishing.html
http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/fishing/guidebooks.html
Vermont
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish_sportfish.cfm
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/lawsdigest.cfm
Virginia
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/fish/
Washington
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/freshwater.html
West Virginia
http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/fishing.shtm
http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/Fishing_regs.shtm
http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/Regs12/regs_FishID.pdf
Wisconsin
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/regulations_index.html
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/hookline.html
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/documents/FishingRegs12-13_web.pdf#fishrestric
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/documents/FishingRegs12-13_web.pdf#urbanfish
Wyoming
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/home.aspx
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/fishing-1000428.aspx#fishregs
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/fishing-1000206.aspx
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/fishing-1000216.aspx