Fishing Trap Regulations FAQ

Fishing Trap Regulations FAQ

We get a lot of questions about whether our bait traps are legal in certain states. Here are answers to the most common questions to help you fish with confidence and stay on the right side of the law.

Is your bait trap legal in my state?

It depends on your state, county, and the specific body of water you plan to fish. Fishing trap regulations vary widely across the US — some states have no restrictions, while others regulate trap opening sizes, trap types, the number of traps you can set, or require a permit for use on public waters.

It is always the buyer’s responsibility to check their local regulations before purchasing and using any bait trap. We recommend contacting your state’s fish and wildlife agency for the most accurate and up-to-date rules.

My state restricts bait trap opening sizes. Can I still order?

Yes! That’s exactly why we created our Uncut Series. These traps ship with no pre-cut bait openings, so you can cut your own openings to whatever size your state legally requires.

→ Shop our Ship-to-Any-State Uncut Traps

What are the openings on the uncut traps?

The only openings on our uncut traps are the doors used to remove your catch after you pull the trap. These are built into the trap design and are not bait entry points. There are zero pre-cut bait openings — you cut those yourself to your local legal size.

How do I cut the openings on an uncut trap?

It’s straightforward:

  1. Look up your state’s required bait trap opening size at your state fish and wildlife agency’s website
  2. Mark the wire where you want to cut using a marker
  3. Measure twice, cut once — double-check your measurements before cutting
  4. Use Kobalt 7" diagonal cutting pliers (available at Lowe’s) to snip the wire — they cut cleanly and easily

Where can I find my state’s fishing trap regulations?

The best source is your state’s official fish and wildlife agency website. Search for “[your state] fish and wildlife bait trap regulations” to find the most current rules. A few examples:

For all other states, search “[state name] fish and wildlife” to find your agency’s website.

Still have questions?

Feel free to reach out through our Contact page and we’ll do our best to help!