SB 121 Indiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Restrictions on using nets or traps for minnows.

Summary

Prohibits the use of specific devices to take minnows from a waterway unless certain conditions are met. Provides an exemption for bait dealers and individuals with a scientific purposes license. Requires, not later than July 1, 2030, that the department of natural resources submit a report to legislative council regarding Sugar Creek's environmental condition and the status of the fish and wildlife population at Sugar Creek.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Jan 2025

Senate Passage

Jan 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Mar 3, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Senate Bill (H) → Senate Bill (S) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to simplify minnow bait regulations by removing specific equipment requirements (trot line, limb line, free-float line) and expanding the possession limit from a fixed 24-minnow cap to a 'reasonable daily use' standard. The Sugar Creek reporting requirement was removed entirely, eliminating the mandate for the Department of Natural Resources to submit an environmental report by July 1, 2030. These changes reduce regulatory burdens on anglers while maintaining core restrictions on prohibited fishing devices and waterway protections.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the Sugar Creek-specific reporting requirement and the equipment diversity requirements, making the regulations more uniform across all waterways.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement to possess trot line, limb line, or free-float line equipment, keeping only pole and line requirement.

Changed minnow possession limit from a fixed 24-minnow cap to a 'reasonable daily use' standard before end of day.

Modified minnow return requirement from 'before leaving the waterway' to 'at the end of the day'.

TIMELINE

Eliminated the requirement for the Department of Natural Resources to submit a Sugar Creek environmental report by July 1, 2030.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 30, 2025

How they voted

44–4

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 50

Jan 30, 2025

D Democratic10

7 Yea 2 Nay 1

70% Yea

R Republican40

37 Yea 2 Nay 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 43: yeas 44, nays 4

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendment #1 (Deery) prevailed; voice vote

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report: do pass, adopted

upper

4 primary · 2 co-sponsors