Most states have laws restricting the transportation of live fish as well as the release of specimens OTHER than those caught and released immediately.
According the the ND webpage (http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/licenses/fishguide-2002.html#jj #10), stocking would be illegal, while transportation might be legal, as long as the fish was legally captured.
In WY, it doesn't matter. Fish stores can not legally sell the fish without a commercial hatchery license (which requires that the source of the fish be documented and tested prior to stocking the fish in our waters). The only legal way to have a channel cat in your aquarium is to purchase it from an authorized vendor and obtain the required permits.
Not saying the don't get sold illegally--the local LFS recently turned down 2 cats that were 24" + from some woman who figured she would just go dump them in a pond somewhere instead.
According the the ND webpage (http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/licenses/fishguide-2002.html#jj #10), stocking would be illegal, while transportation might be legal, as long as the fish was legally captured.
In WY, it doesn't matter. Fish stores can not legally sell the fish without a commercial hatchery license (which requires that the source of the fish be documented and tested prior to stocking the fish in our waters). The only legal way to have a channel cat in your aquarium is to purchase it from an authorized vendor and obtain the required permits.
Not saying the don't get sold illegally--the local LFS recently turned down 2 cats that were 24" + from some woman who figured she would just go dump them in a pond somewhere instead.