Game Fish as pets

[Jbyrd]

Ok is a small pond in your yard an outside aquarium. Does this mean no native fish ? . I believe if the fish is of legal size well , i don't know what if they spawn in your yard pond then the fry are not legal if there is a size limit

[fishNnut]

Does the "legal size" limits pertain to private waters in Kentucky?

[slimshad09]

In Indiana there is no size limit on bass in creeks. I had several smallmouth, warmouth, rockbass, largemouth, and gills in mine for awhile. The problem is it is hassle to keep clean. Maybe my pump wasn't big enough. We got creek rock and built walls with holes and it was cool. Good luck and post some pics

[kydonky]

As pet game fish go, I'm looking for a retriever/tracker. One that I can let out on the lake and will lead me to the school or the lunkers. Are they difficult to train?

[RoadToad]

Does the "legal size" limits pertain to private waters in Kentucky?

Yes. Also the requirement to have a license to fish in it, unless you own or live on the property. If it's a farm pond, anybody who owns or lives on the property, or works at the farm, can legally fish it without a license.

[fishNnut]

Thanks RoadToad. A lot different than Indiana. It seems that if you own a pond and stock it yourself, the state wouldn't be able to tell you what you can keep and not keep out of it.

[nonamesleft47]

Here's what fish and wildlife says:

As long as you follow the size and creel limit where ever you’re getting them from you should be fine according to Fisheries.

[RoadToad]

Thanks RoadToad. A lot different than Indiana. It seems that if you own a pond and stock it yourself, the state wouldn't be able to tell you what you can keep and not keep out of it.

Actually, creel limits might only apply if you've had Fish & Wildlife stock it, I'm not sure. But I know the license requirement applies no matter what. Then again, I'm not sure if there's another legal way to stock a private pond in KY. It's definitely illegal to catch fish and transplant them to another body of water, private or not, but I don't really know if there are privately-owned hatcheries out there from which you can legally buy game fish.