Abstract: A bait container, particularly useful with crustacean (lobster or crab) traps is formed with an apertured side wall in which the apertures comprise at least 35% of the surface area of the side wall. The apertures for any container are usually uniform in size and the range of aperture size is from about 250 to about 1000 microns. The size and distribution of the apertures prolongs bait life due to the controlled release of bait from the container and the added protection against unwanted predators such as arthropods. Furthermore the bait container permits the use of emulsified or minced bait produced from previously undesirable material, such as discards and non-edible fish parts taken from the fish processing industry.