It's good that you haven't tried throw nets since they are illegal in Pennsylvania (except in 7 lakes where they can be used to take gizzard shad over 8 inches, assuming you have a permit).
"The use of a cast net or throw net in any other Commonwealth waters is a violation of the Fish and Boat Code and is punishable by a fine and may result in the loss of fishing privileges." -
http://fishandboat.com/fi.pub/summary/permits.html You can take suckers on rod and reel. Find a pod of them by sight (not tough in many streams) and cast ahead of them in their feeding line. Small hooks, light lines, sweet corn, red worms, maggots. The takes are usually very light, so you have to pay attention. I've caught hundreds this way in PA, from ten inchers all the way up to six pounders.
People who plan on eating them have been known to use things like spears, gigs and bows. Perhaps more efficient, but not good if you wanna use them for live bait. Keep in mind that these methods are not allowed in approved trout waters (which means a lot of prime sucker waters) or special regulation areas.
You probably won't get many with a minnow trap. Smaller ones show up among the other minnows you'll catch, but it's not a great way to target suckers specifically, especially since the opening is not allowed to be more than 1" in diameter.
I've always had luck seining smaller streams where I know suckers are present. You won't get many huge fish, but you probably don't want those anyway. This is the best method I've found to get some suckers in the 3-7" range together for bait fishing. Any suckers taken this way are considered "baitfish" according to PA laws.
Aren't Pennsylvania fishing regulations fun?
post edited by fishink - 2013/04/17 00:39:01