Popular Fishing Bait In Minnesota Is Actually Invasive Species

The Minnesota Fishing Opener is this weekend, and this is a good time to brush up on new regulations for 2025. I was scrolling through the online PDF version of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fishing Handbook when I stumbled on something that shocked me. I've been guilty of spreading an invasive species, and I didn't even know it.

The Importance Of Stopping The Spread Of Invasive Species

There's a section in the guide about aquatic invasive species. I know to clean, drain, and dry my boat before I bring it to another lake. I know how to check for vegetation or weeds on the trailer, drain my life well, and do my part to protect our lakes.

I've seen firsthand how invasive species can harm an ecosystem, so I try my best. Plus, I don't want to get a fine! But I had no idea that my go-to bait is actually an invasive species.

Night Crawlers Used For Bait Are Non-Native To Minnesota

The Minnesota DNR says the proper and legal way to get rid of your live bait is to throw it in the trash. Don't pour minnows out into the water; it can spread disease and is illegal. But what about your worms?

It turns out those night crawlers, Canadian crawlers, or earthworms are non-native to Minnesota and can damage our forests. Seriously? I remember hunting for night crawlers as a kid in the yard. How could they be non-native?

Read More: Don't Eat Fish From These Minnesota Lakes + Rivers

Earthworms came with European settlers to North America. They've spread across North America and into Minnesota over the past 500 years. Our forests developed without them, and earthworms actually are harmful to the forests. They eat the fallen leaves, which disrupt the natural decay and spongy layer of the forest. Ground-dwelling animals use this spongy layer for habitat. It affects the ability of wildflowers to grow and can even cause soil erosion.

Throw away your worms in the trash.

If you have leftover worms, don't release them into the water or dump them on land. Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.

Does it even matter anymore?

The DNR says there are many parts of the state that don't have earthworms. They also move very slowly, traveling less than half a mile in 100 years.