Wild Animals

Live Bait Use in Fishing and Welfare

Using live fish, worms, and other animals as fishing bait raises animal welfare concerns that are often overlooked.

Key Facts

Hooking live baitfish through the back or lip causes pain and distress
Worms and other invertebrates used as bait may have capacity for pain
Keeping baitfish in buckets causes stress from confinement and poor water quality
Many anglers switch to artificial lures without significant reduction in catch rates
Some countries restrict or ban live bait fishing on welfare grounds

Welfare Considerations

The welfare impacts of live bait use in fishing deserve greater consideration. Baitfish experience the pain and distress of being hooked and kept in confined conditions. As evidence grows for fish sentience, the casual use of live fish as bait requires ethical scrutiny and consideration of artificial alternatives.

What You Can Do

Switch to artificial lures or dead bait as a welfare-friendly alternative
Handle any baitfish minimally and keep them in aerated, appropriately sized containers
Advocate for consideration of live bait welfare in fishing regulations
Support research into the sentience of commonly used bait species