Some call it sushi, some call it bait, I call it plant food.

There are many plants in a high calorie garden that can be heavy feeders. Corn is one example. With organic gardening a lot of mulch, compost, manure, etc. is used. But in many places in the world fish played an important role in growing crops. In the Midwest there are actually a lot of places to catch fish the two problems are contamination of the waters fish live in and size of fish. In most states consumption advisories will be issued for what is safe to eat, in what quantities, and how often it can be consumed. However, many times fish that is safe to eat can be found in farm ponds or small streams that feed river systems. The fish most likely to be found are what most people call bait fish. This bait fish can be used to make a very good fish fertilizer. So I am thinking small when it comes to fish.

Recipes for Fish Fertilizer

Homemade Fish Fertilizer
http://theunconventionalfarmer.com/recipes/fish-fertilizer/

Making Your Own Fish Emulsion
http://www.shenandoahrosesociety.org/id13.html

Contaminants in fish

Much of the toxins in fish seem to accumulate in the fats. It has been suggested the boiling or cooking may be one way to remove fat that may contain harmful toxins. However, if the fish is not safe to eat it is not really safe to use to make Fish Emulsion. Stores that sell live or whole fish may be a source for guts, bones, and heads that can also be fermented to create fish emulsion and fertilizer. Also think crayfish and other crustaceans for fermenting. Safer fish to eat and use in fertilizer are crappie, yellow perch, blue gill, sun fish, green, longear, redear.

Trimming and Cooking Fish to reduce contaminates. The key is getting the fat out.
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/fishadvisory/index.aspx#145214737-meal-preparation

Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/portals/35/fishadvisory/fishadvisory_pamphlet.pdf

Links about Ohio sports fishing rules.

Ohio Sport fishing Regulations 2014-2015
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/wildlife/pdfs/fishing/fishingregulations_2014_2015.pdf

CAST NETS

Forage fish and minnows may be taken with cast nets. It is unlawful to use a cast net with a square mesh less than ¼ inch or larger than 1 inch on a side, or with a diameter greater than 10 feet. It is illegal to use a cast net within a distance of 1,000 feet downstream from any dam posted with Division of Wildlife signs indicating cast net use is prohibited.

Using a casting net for shad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mf9xLqYuko

CASTNET BASICS HOW TO Choose a Cast Net for Live Bait
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnHve2YNn7M

How To Catch More Shad (And Stay Safe): 8 Cast Net Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf-HKU5kuVE

How To Make Bony, Invasive Shad Fish Taste Delicious
http://www.opb.org/news/blog/ecotrope/making-bony-invasive-shad-fish-taste-delicious/

Minnow or Bait Fish Traps

It is illegal for anglers to possess or use a minnow or bait fish trap larger than 24 inches in length and 12 inches in width. Additionally, possessing or using a minnow or bait fish trap with an opening larger than 1 inch is illegal. A tag must be attached to the trap with the owners name and address, or the customer identification number.

Minnow Trapping Sucker, Shad, Shiners, Dace Fathead Minnows Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMhCv87nBWs

Minnow Trapping, Suckers, Shad, Dace, Chubs, Fatheads Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIgCx3qP9JM

Catch of the day: Baitfish, eating minnows
http://archive.news-press.com/article/20080731/ENT13/807310323/Catch-day-Baitfish

 

Trotlines

Trotlines must be marked with the name and address or customer identification number of the user. Trotlines must be anchored. Wire or cable may not be used. Not more than three trotlines are permitted in any one body of water in the Inland Fishing Distric. Not more than 50 hooks per trotline are permitted in any tributary of Lake Erie. Trotlines may not be used within 1,000 feet down stream of any dam. All trotlines must be checked once every 24 hour.

Trotline in the ohio river
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIiwSD6363Q

Forage Fish

Forage fish means freshwater drum (sheepshead), common carp, grass carp (in water NOT stocked b the Division of Wildlife for vegetation control as indicated by signs), bighead carp, silver carp, black carp, quillback, suckers, bowfin, gar, buffalo, gizzard shad, and goldfish. These species may be taken by any method except by means of explosives, poisions, firearms, electricity, chemicals, nets, seines, traps, or by snagging within 1,000 feet downstream of a dam. Gizzard shad and rainbow smelt may be taken with a minnow seine, minnow dip net, or hand landing net.

How to Catch the BEST BIG Musky & Flathead Live Bait with Creek Seine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsb5gNpW5mQ

Making a Crayfish trap

How to Build a Crayfish Trap for Under $5

Part 1 - Design and Cutting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIcrWG_bEDM&list=PLiUEq78Q_BhEqZFJaVrUiyONZYHCso9C8

Part 2 – Assembling the trap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vipAA16F9Ks&list=PLiUEq78Q_BhEqZFJaVrUiyONZYHCso9C8&index=2

Part 3 - Finishing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_6pP_ZCoH8&list=PLiUEq78Q_BhEqZFJaVrUiyONZYHCso9C8&index=3

Part 4 - Building a Bait Box
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQcM2wGBCOc&list=PLiUEq78Q_BhEqZFJaVrUiyONZYHCso9C8&index=4

Part 5 - How to Use the Trap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxWehg_L698&list=PLiUEq78Q_BhEqZFJaVrUiyONZYHCso9C8&index=5