AbstractWe compiled regulations on the bait industry in 1992 from 12 states in the north central United States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Variation and inconsistency existed in the regulations among states. We believe anglers, management agencies, the bait industry, and the aquatic resource would benefit if states would review their bait regulations to attempt to reduce variation in regulations while maintaining regulations to protect and conserve aquatic resources.