Bass Fingerling

I have a smallmouth bass that was caught from a private pond and was 5 inches at capture. He has grown to 13 inches in 2 years of night crawlers, bluegill, and fatheads. He is in a 50 gallon tank. His name is Charlie and he is the meanest fish you have ever seen. He will take food out of your hand, but you better be careful. He was originally put in the tank with some other bluegill, green sunfish, and minnows. He ate every one of them. My kids are scared of him.

I can't see how raising a fish from a private pond would be illegal, but if it is I guess I am in violation. I plan on growing him up a bit more and releasing him this spring in my little pond.

If you read the fishing guide, it tells you. If you catch a legal size bass, you can keep it and do what you want with it. Including keeping it alive and feeding it. Goes the same if you catch a minnow - since catching minnows and using them as bait (killing them) is legal if you have a fishing lic. You CAN NOT release them back into public waters tho (unless its from the same place you got them out of). However, Cbass - what you did is illegal, since it was not legal size when you took it. But, I don't care if you don't :D

I've got an idea, grow the bass to like 7-8 pds then mount it!.........lol

[QUOTE=Legato;350929]However, Cbass - what you did is illegal, since it was not legal size when you took it. But, I don't care if you don't :D[/QUOTE]

Private pond, no DNR rules apply.