A bill for an act relating to noodling licenses.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Imposes a noodling license for catfish by hand, with a 3-fish limit, 10-in minimum, daylight-only, gear bans, and fines for violations.

Subcommittee recommends passage.

#catfish #fishing

HF 832 — Noodling Licenses (Summary)

What the bill does (purpose and intent)

HF 832 would introduce a licensing requirement for noodling, the method of fishing for catfish using bare hands or feet. The bill defines noodling and sets basic rules governing when and how it may be conducted, with the state’s natural resources commission empowered to establish the license terms and fee by rule. The goal appears to be to regulate noodling activity for wildlife management and safety purposes while generating license revenue.

Key provisions

Definition: “Noodling” is defined as fishing for catfish using bare hands or feet.

Licensing requirement: A person noodling must purchase a noodling license.

Restrictions under the license:

Timing: Noodling may occur only during daylight hours.
Harvest cap: No noodling may harvest more than three catfish per license.
Size limit: Each harvested catfish must be at least 10 inches in length.
Equipment: Special equipment may not be used, including scuba gear, fins, bait, gloves, breathing tubes, and other items the commission may specify.

Regulatory authority: The state natural resources commission must establish, by rule, the tenure (licensing duration) and the applicable fee for the noodling permit.

Fines and enforcement (per bill explanation)

Unlawful taking: Scheduled fine of $35.

Attempted unlawful taking: Scheduled fine of $20. Note: The fines appear in the bill’s explanatory text rather than the main statutory language, so their exact incorporation would depend on final bill drafting.

Administrative process and timeline

Introduced: March 7, 2025.

Referred to: Ways and Means.

Subcommittee: Wulf, Behn, and Jacoby.

Subcommittee action: On April 8, 2025, the subcommittee recommended passage.

Current status: Subcommittee recommendation to pass.

Who is affected

Potential noodlers who fish for catfish using hands/feet.

The state’s natural resources commission (to establish license tenure and fees via rulemaking).

General public benefits from wildlife management, safety, and potential license revenue.

Practical implications and considerations

Regulation and oversight: Creates a formal regulatory framework for noodling, including limits on daily harvest, fish size, and prohibited gear.

Revenue: License fees will be determined by the commission, creating potential new state revenue tied to noodling activity.

Compliance and enforcement: Clear penalties exist for unlawful acts, with defined fines for unlawful or attempted unlawful noodling.

If you’d like, I can add a concise comparison to other fishing license regimes or map out potential fiscal impacts based on estimated license uptake.