Is it illegal to use cast nets to catch game fish?
Cast nets are not an approved gear for catching game fish in any Indiana waters (312 IAC 9-7-2 and 9-7-16). Cast nets are only legal for taking bait fish, or minnows, in most waters. However, cast nets cannot be used within two hundred (200) yards below any dam on the Ohio River (312 IAC 9-7-16d). Cast nets in most waters cannot be larger than 10 feet in diameter and the mesh stretch is no larger than 3/4 inch. Cast nets used to take minnows from the Ohio River must not exceed nine (9) feet in diameter nor have mesh size larger than three-eighths (3/8) inch bar mesh (312 IAC 9-7-16e4). Minnows taken for bait must not be of any species considered endangered or threatened. Bag limits and size limits for sportfish must be followed regardless of the means of catching fish. Any fish that does not meet these restrictions must be released immediately.
