What a trammel net is and how it catches fish
A trammel net is a three-layer net that traps fish by tangling them in the innermost mesh rather than by the gill-net method of blocking their gills. The outer two layers are large-mesh netting, and the inner layer is much finer mesh. When a fish swims into the net, it pushes through the outer layer, then gets caught in the fine inner mesh and creates a pocket that prevents it from backing out. The fish ends up tangled rather than gilled.
Trammel nets are typically set on the bottom in shallow to moderate depths and left to fish passively. They work well in areas with structure — rocky bottoms, kelp beds, or around pilings — because fish moving through those spaces are more likely to encounter the net. A single trammel net can be 100 to 300 feet long and 6 to 10 feet deep, depending on the fishery and local rules.
The advantage over a gill net is that trammel nets are less selective by size. A gill net's mesh size determines which fish can pass through; a trammel net's fine inner layer catches a wider range of sizes. This makes trammel nets useful in mixed fisheries where you want to land several species at once, but it also means they can catch undersized fish and non-target species more easily — which is why their use is heavily restricted in most places.
Key Takeaways
- Trammel nets use three layers of mesh to tangle fish rather than gill them, and they work best on structured bottoms in shallow to moderate water.
- Most U.S. states and provinces ban trammel nets in freshwater entirely, and coastal states restrict them to specific zones, seasons, and species.
- Where legal, trammel nets usually require a commercial license and written permission from the fishery manager, not just a standard recreational permit.
- Bycatch of undersized fish and non-target species is the main reason trammel nets face strict regulation, even in places where they remain lawful.
Where trammel nets are legal in North America
Trammel nets are banned in freshwater across nearly all of the United States and Canada. The few exceptions are limited to specific tribal fisheries or research programs, and even then only under direct permit from the managing agency.
In saltwater, the picture is more varied but still restrictive. California allows trammel nets in coastal waters for specific species — mainly halibut, white seabass, and corbina — but only in designated zones and with a commercial fishing license. Oregon permits them for sturgeon in the Columbia River estuary under a separate endorsement. Washington State allows limited trammel netting for certain groundfish in Puget Sound, but the fishery is tightly managed and often closed. Alaska permits trammel netting for herring and other species in specific regions, but again with strict seasonal and area limits.
Atlantic coast states are generally more restrictive. Most have banned trammel nets outright or limit them to research and tribal use. A few states allow them for specific species like striped bass or shad, but only in narrow windows and with a commercial license. The Gulf of Mexico states vary: Louisiana and Texas permit trammel nets in certain bays and estuaries under commercial license, but Florida bans them in state waters entirely.
Before setting a trammel net anywhere, contact the state or provincial fishery agency directly. Regulations change, and what is legal in one zone may be illegal 10 miles away. Many states require written permission from the fishery manager before you even purchase or deploy the net.
Licensing and permits you need
A recreational fishing license is not enough. If trammel nets are legal in your area, you will need a commercial fishing license at minimum, even if you are fishing part-time or for personal use. The cost varies widely — from $100 to $500 per year depending on the state and the species you target.
Beyond the commercial license, most states require a separate gear endorsement or net permit specific to trammel nets. This is a second document that authorizes you to use that particular type of gear. Some states bundle it with the commercial license; others charge an additional fee. A few states require you to apply for and receive written approval from the fishery manager before you can even buy the endorsement.
If you are fishing in tribal waters or on tribal land, you may need tribal permission as well as state permission. Tribal fisheries often have their own rules and licensing systems that run parallel to state regulations. Contact the tribe's fisheries office before you fish.
Regulations on mesh size, net length, and soak time
States that allow trammel nets specify the exact dimensions you can use. Outer-layer mesh size is typically 3 to 5 inches (measured as the distance between knots), and inner-layer mesh is usually 1 to 1.5 inches. Net length limits range from 100 to 300 feet depending on the state and species. Some states also limit how many nets you can set at once — often to one or two per person.
Soak time — how long the net can stay in the water — is sometimes restricted as well. A few states require nets to be checked every 24 hours, and some prohibit overnight soaking in certain areas. These rules exist to reduce the number of dead fish and non-target species that end up in the net.
Seasonal closures are common. Many states open trammel net fisheries only during specific months when target species are abundant and non-target species are less likely to be present. For example, California's halibut trammel net season typically runs from March through June, and Oregon's sturgeon season is fall and winter. Check the current regulations for your state before you set any net.
Species you can and cannot target
Where trammel nets are legal, they are usually restricted to a short list of species. California allows them for halibut, white seabass, and corbina. Oregon permits them for sturgeon. Washington allows them for certain groundfish. Louisiana and Texas permit them in bays for species like mullet and catfish, though the exact list changes by area and season.
You cannot use a trammel net for salmon, trout, or most other game fish in any state. You also cannot use them for species that are listed as threatened or endangered, and many states prohibit them for species that are already under population pressure.
The fine print matters. Some states allow trammel nets for a species in one zone but ban them in another. Some allow them only during certain months. And some require you to release certain sizes or species immediately if you catch them. Read the specific regulations for your target species and your fishing area — not just the general trammel net rule.
How trammel nets compare to other restricted nets
Trammel nets are less selective than gill nets because they catch a wider range of fish sizes, but they are also less efficient at high volumes. A gill net set for a specific mesh size will catch fish of that size reliably; a trammel net will catch anything that swims into it hard enough to push through the outer layer. This makes trammel nets better for mixed-species fisheries but worse for targeting a single size class.
Compared to cast nets or dip nets, trammel nets are passive — you set them and wait. This means less physical effort but also less control over what you catch. Compared to seines, trammel nets are smaller and more portable, but seines are legal in more places because they are easier to monitor and control.
In most places where both gill nets and trammel nets are legal, gill nets are preferred for commercial work because they are more efficient. Trammel nets are usually allowed only in specific situations where their lower selectivity is actually an advantage — like in bays with mixed bottom types and multiple target species.
Why trammel nets face such strict regulation
The main reason trammel nets are banned or heavily restricted is bycatch. Because the fine inner mesh catches fish of many sizes, trammel nets regularly trap undersized fish, juvenile fish of non-target species, and protected species. Even if you release them immediately, many will not survive the tangling and handling.
Trammel nets also tend to stay in the water longer than other gear, which increases the time fish spend trapped and the likelihood of predation or decomposition before the net is checked. In areas with high biodiversity — like kelp forests or estuaries — this bycatch problem is severe enough that most states have banned trammel nets entirely.
States that do allow trammel nets typically restrict them to areas and seasons where bycatch is minimal: offshore zones with low species diversity, or narrow seasonal windows when target species are abundant and non-target species are scarce. The regulations are designed to keep the net legal while minimizing the damage it does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a trammel net in saltwater if it is banned in freshwater?
Yes. Most states ban trammel nets in freshwater but allow them in specific saltwater zones under a commercial license. The rules are completely separate. Check your state's saltwater fishing regulations — they will specify which areas and species allow trammel nets.
What happens if I catch an undersized fish or a protected species in my trammel net?
You must release it immediately. Most states require you to handle it as gently as possible and return it to the water right away. Some states require you to report the catch to the fishery agency. Failure to release protected species or undersized fish can result in fines or loss of your license.
Do I need a separate license for each trammel net I own?
No. One commercial license and one net endorsement cover all the trammel nets you own. However, many states limit how many nets you can set at once — often to one or two — regardless of how many you own. Check your state's rules on the number of nets allowed per person.
Can I fish trammel nets at night?
It depends on the state and the specific fishery. Some states allow night fishing; others prohibit it. Some allow it only in certain zones or seasons. Check the regulations for your target species and area before you fish after dark.
How deep can I set a trammel net?
Trammel nets work best in shallow to moderate depths — typically 10 to 40 feet — because they rely on fish swimming into them. In deeper water, fewer fish encounter the net, and it becomes less efficient. Most state regulations do not specify a depth limit, but practical fishing depth is usually under 50 feet.