How to Raise Maggots for Fish Bait

maggots image by Anton Chernenko from Fotolia.com

Maggots are fly larvae and are sometimes used as fish bait. While you can purchase fresh maggots from many bait and tackle shops, raising your own at home will save you a little money. The process is simple, as all you need to do is attract flies and then harvest their larvae. However, you might want to do this in a secluded spot of your yard because attracting flies requires the use of rotten food.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

1 cup milk
2 russet potatoes
Pot
Water
Stove
Fork
Large bowl
Wheat bran
Shallow container

Step 1

Set 1 cup milk in a warm place for at least 12 hours. The milk will become warm and curdled.

Step 2

Peel two medium-size russet potatoes. Boil the potatoes in a pot of water on the stove until a fork easily pierces the potatoes.

Step 3

Drain the water and mash the potatoes with a fork or a potato masher.

Step 4

Transfer the mashed potatoes to a large plastic or metal bowl. Pour the curdled milk over the potatoes.

Step 5

Place the bowl outside on a warm day to attract flies.

Step 6

Monitor the bowl once a day until you see maggots wriggling in the mixture.

Step 7

Pour wheat bran into a shallow container to cover the bottom of the container.

Step 8

Pluck the maggots from the bowl outside and place them in the container with the wheat bran.

Step 9

Keep the maggots in a cool, dry place and replace the wheat bran bedding when it begins to emit a foul odor.

Tips & Warnings

You do not need to cover the maggot container, but if you do decide to cover it, poke holes in the lid so the maggots can breathe.

Article Written By Kittie McCoy

Kittie McCoy has been a freelance writer since 2008. She is also a part-time personal trainer and licensed entertainer in Las Vegas. She enjoys sharing her love of physical fitness and experience in the entertainment industry via her writing.

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