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Michigan => Ice Fishing Michigan => Topic started by: Machine on Feb 02, 2016, 07:58 AM

Title: Fish Piles
Post by: Machine on Feb 02, 2016, 07:58 AM
I was told that each fisherman should keep his or her catches in separate piles so as a CO can determine who's fish are who's.  Cant find info on that in the book.  Seems odd because summer fishing is not that way.  Any info on that?
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: DR.SPECKLER on Feb 02, 2016, 08:00 AM
I keep mine separate any time of year.probably depends on the mood of big brother.lol
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: rpdog on Feb 02, 2016, 08:10 AM
Makes sense to me. You are only allowed 25 gill limit per fisherman. As for me I never put fish on the ice. They either go straight back or in my pale. If the C O told me that I would take that as a warning. Just my opinion.
Rp
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: RedShantyMi on Feb 02, 2016, 08:55 AM
If you ever fished Erie much you learn there is no such thing as  a boat limit. Same thing goes on the ice. Trick the C O's use is ask how many fish each person caught.  Two guys in the boat with ten walleye, on says he caught 4, the other said he caught 6. The guy who caught 6 gets a ticket! Same thing on the ice.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: essox hunter on Feb 02, 2016, 09:13 AM
I know of a guy last yr who got a ticket for giving a guy 3 fish when he had his limit.they came off with 25 each but co watched with binoculars and watched guy 1 give 3 fish to guy 2 then they walked off.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Icefisher40 on Feb 02, 2016, 10:03 AM
An extremely simple rule that requires very little effort for compliance.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: FilletofSoul on Feb 02, 2016, 10:19 AM
You should keep your fish by themselves, alot of people you fish with will try to get you to mix em all up with theirs, but don't give into the peer pressure. You are responsible for yourself, unless you facilitate somebody else's unlawful actions, by providing a ride or shelter.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 02, 2016, 12:41 PM
I know of a guy last yr who got a ticket for giving a guy 3 fish when he had his limit.they came off with 25 each but co watched with binoculars and watched guy 1 give 3 fish to guy 2 then they walked off.
       The limit is 25 daily, per person, catching some for your buddy, is a loyal gesture so everyone got "their" limit, but if they see you leave or throw fish to your buddy, you better hope they are not counting them as you are in deep sh**!!!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: walleyepac on Feb 02, 2016, 07:45 PM
If you ever fished Erie much you learn there is no such thing as  a boat limit. Same thing goes on the ice. Trick the C O's use is ask how many fish each person caught.  Two guys in the boat with ten walleye, on says he caught 4, the other said he caught 6. The guy who caught 6 gets a ticket! Same thing on the ice. You won't get it ticket at the limited six and I do think the limit on Lake Erie is 6
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: kevs on Feb 02, 2016, 08:06 PM
It's not what you catch but what you keep, even if it's given to someone else.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Outdoor2dacore on Feb 02, 2016, 09:32 PM
As far as I am concerned this is BS rule that looks negatively on sportsman and promotes not sharing and helping others out.  Some days, especially on the open water, say I was te only one to catch my limit of lake trout and my buddy can't buy a bite, I'm going to share those fish and regardless and we will both hopefully end up with a limit.  I can't believe we actually have COs enforcing that crap.  Thankfully I've only ever had very positive accounts with them in NW lower Michigan, if i had them ever give me a hard time about that, I don't think I would take It too well. We have way too many more serious violations occurring on a regular basic to have them spending their time girlything footing around and harassing average joes helping each other out.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 02, 2016, 09:36 PM
It's not what you catch but what you keep, even if it's given to someone else.
.        You better stay in the fort then!!  It's how many u catch!!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: BLUJBURD on Feb 03, 2016, 05:07 AM
Guess up to co, had situation where had fish in one bucket co counted asked I if all mine buddy piped up heel no and no big deal
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Icefisher40 on Feb 03, 2016, 06:02 AM
As far as I am concerned this is BS rule that looks negatively on sportsman and promotes not sharing and helping others out.  Some days, especially on the open water, say I was te only one to catch my limit of lake trout and my buddy can't buy a bite, I'm going to share those fish and regardless and we will both hopefully end up with a limit.  I can't believe we actually have COs enforcing that crap.  Thankfully I've only ever had very positive accounts with them in NW lower Michigan, if i had them ever give me a hard time about that, I don't think I would take It too well. We have way too many more serious violations occurring on a regular basic to have them spending their time girlything footing around and harassing average joes helping each other out.

I don't think a CO would care "how well you took it."  You'd be paying a fine for over-limit and restitution fees all the same. LOL!

Love it when guys try the tough-guy persona with COs. It makes their day.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 03, 2016, 06:05 AM
I don't think a CO would care "how well you took it."  You'd be paying a fine for over-limit and restitution fees all the same. LOL!

Love it when guys try the tough-guy persona with COs. It makes their day.
                The more you act like a di**, the better they like it, its their job to enforce, otherwise they wouldn't have a job!!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: FilletofSoul on Feb 03, 2016, 06:52 AM
I've seen alot of people catch fish for their less skilled fishing companions, so they can limit out too. Do you shoot extra deer for your good friends too, whats the difference. If you like getting fines and tickets, then have at it, but there ain't no we and there ain't no us.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Hermin on Feb 03, 2016, 07:00 AM
Comparing deer that have 1-3 fawns a year to a fish that can produce thousands of off spring a season is just stupid.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: FilletofSoul on Feb 03, 2016, 07:08 AM
You're stupid, way to take things out of context. Do you have anything to add? There was no comparison made, was talking about tickets and fines. So maybe I should have said rabbits, so the internet police didnt have to chime in.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: rpdog on Feb 03, 2016, 07:20 AM
I just hope we can get on some comfortable ice again. Then we won't have to argue. As for the law it is pretty straight forward.
  Rp
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: DaveSS1 on Feb 03, 2016, 08:09 AM
A few years ago, I saw a situation played out on a very popular bluegill destination in West MI.  There was a group of 3 guys fishing throwing their fish in a pile.  CO, who was very friendly, asked them how many fish they have.  Basically the guys couldn't answer him and tried to assure him that they did not have their limit.  He mentioned to them it was their responsibility to know how many fish they have in possession and to keep the fish by each person in order not to mix up the possession.  The guys were arguing with him saying its no different than having the fish in a livewell where they are all mix together and the CO wouldn't change his position so the guy finally said " go ahead and count them" in which then the officer told them to reel up their lines and stop fishing.  Luckily for them they only had 72 fish on the ice meaning no one had reached their limit and could still fish and said that he could of written one of the guys up (probably the guy giving him the most grief) if there was 73 for continuing fishing while having a limit. 
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Tree Toad on Feb 03, 2016, 08:17 AM
I've seen alot of people catch fish for their less skilled fishing companions, so they can limit out too. Do you shoot extra deer for your good friends too, whats the difference. If you like getting fines and tickets, then have at it, but there ain't no we and there ain't no us.
Its not poaching if your only helping a friend-yes it IS poaching but people can always find a way to justify what they do.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 03, 2016, 08:20 AM
A few years ago, I saw a situation played out on a very popular bluegill destination in West MI.  There was a group of 3 guys fishing throwing their fish in a pile.  CO, who was very friendly, asked them how many fish they have.  Basically the guys couldn't answer him and tried to assure him that they did not have their limit.  He mentioned to them it was their responsibility to know how many fish they have in possession and to keep the fish by each person in order not to mix up the possession.  The guys were arguing with him saying its no different than having the fish in a livewell where they are all mix together and the CO wouldn't change his position so the guy finally said " go ahead and count them" in which then the officer told them to reel up their lines and stop fishing.  Luckily for them they only had 72 fish on the ice meaning no one had reached their limit and could still fish and said that he could of written one of the guys up (probably the guy giving him the most grief) if there was 73 for continuing fishing while having a limit.
                     If they would have been over, and nobody claimed the extra fish, they will all get a ticket for over limit I'll bet!!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Machine on Feb 03, 2016, 08:21 AM
Wow!! I am sorry I asked. I did not mean for this to turn ugly, I was just curious.  I live near the DNR office and will get an answer from them and report back.  I really only ask because when we have a good day it makes a pretty cool picture to see a nice bunch of fish even if its not limits.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 03, 2016, 08:23 AM
Wow!! I am sorry I asked. I did not mean for this to turn ugly, I was just curious.  I live near the DNR office and will get an answer from them and report back.  I really only ask because when we have a good day it makes a pretty cool picture to see a nice bunch of fish even if its not limits.
            You can take pictures when you get home, when on the lake, you can "have" 25 that you caught
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: DaveSS1 on Feb 03, 2016, 08:25 AM
Wow!! I am sorry I asked. I did not mean for this to turn ugly, I was just curious.  I live near the DNR office and will get an answer from them and report back.  I really only ask because when we have a good day it makes a pretty cool picture to see a nice bunch of fish even if its not limits.
I think its good that you asked.  It brings some awareness and it also related to a thread that was posted earlier this season about fishing while having your limit.  I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a picture of your "limits" in a pile provided you are done fishing and don't have a line in the water for that targeted species.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: motocross269 on Feb 03, 2016, 08:25 AM
I fully support the COs and the rules and regulations but this is a weak way to enforce the limit regulations..... ...I can guarantee you that Charter captains of all species do not mark their fish for their clients as they go into the livewell.....  If a CO ran up to a Charter Captain and asked him who had caught what fish the Charter captain would be SOL,,,,Especially a perch charter...
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: pyro261 on Feb 03, 2016, 08:28 AM
Unless the CO has been watching you all day long I'd tell him to prove it.  As long as we're not over the limit as a group I'm still going to catch fish if my buddies want me to keep some for them.  There are times when fish are only biting one specific color and one person out-fishes the others 5:1.  If he can prove I caught 26 gills and my buddy only caught 24 of the 50, fine give me a ticket you deserve to for that kind of persistence.

If you're bringing out your kids and wife who don't even like to fish for very long just so you can catch a multi person limit, that's a little more shady though.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 03, 2016, 08:31 AM
Unless the CO has been watching you all day long I'd tell him to prove it.  As long as we're not over the limit as a group I'm still going to catch fish if my buddies want me to keep some for them.  There are times when fish are only biting one specific color and one person out-fishes the others 5:1.  If he can prove I caught 26 gills and my buddy only caught 24 of the 50, fine give me a ticket you deserve to for that kind of persistence.

If you're bringing out your kids and wife who don't even like to fish for very long just so you can catch a multi person limit, that's a little more shady though.
   I will tell you that if its your word against his, you WILL lose that, will cost you more to fight than the fine!!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: DR.SPECKLER on Feb 03, 2016, 08:43 AM
its pretty simple all my buds catch their own fish.we each take home what we caught personally.limit or not.id rather throw a fish back for the future than throw it in a buddies pile that cant fish.hahaa
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: TK81 on Feb 03, 2016, 08:44 AM
I fully support the COs and the rules and regulations but this is a weak way to enforce the limit regulations..... ...I can guarantee you that Charter captains of all species do not mark their fish for their clients as they go into the live well.....  If a CO ran up to a Charter Captain and asked him who had caught what fish the Charter captain would be SOL,,,,Especially a perch charter...

I fish for perch with two other guys in my boat frequently.  Been checked a couple times and never once has a CO asked how many fish each guy had in the live well.  I have offered that we need "X" amount more to make a limit.  Happened with walleye once on Drummond.  My friend and I had nine in the live well and were both still fishing.  The CO that boarded us just said good job and asked what we were using.  And the response above is perfect...this is the way the big lake guys roll....whether they are charters or just regular John Does.  That said, yes if you are obviously filling somebody else's limit and the CO is watching you do it...or if you tell the CO that you kept 35 gills and your buddy kept 15...you are asking for a ticket.  Take your lumps and learn a lesson.  I always keep my fish separate on the ice, its so easy.  The boat is another story.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: rpdog on Feb 03, 2016, 09:00 AM
Good post Machine makes people aware of the law.
  Rp
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: shibes24 on Feb 03, 2016, 09:13 AM
Slightly different angle.  I've never really thought about it but if I've reached a limit, isn't it still legal to fish as long as I do not keep any?  That would be like a bass tourney when someone has their fish limit but is searching for a bigger fish?
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Tree Toad on Feb 03, 2016, 09:40 AM
Slightly different angle.  I've never really thought about it but if I've reached a limit, isn't it still legal to fish as long as I do not keep any?  That would be like a bass tourney when someone has their fish limit but is searching for a bigger fish?
I wouldn't want to gamble the cost of a ticket to find out
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 03, 2016, 11:41 AM
I fish for perch with two other guys in my boat frequently.  Been checked a couple times and never once has a CO asked how many fish each guy had in the live well.  I have offered that we need "X" amount more to make a limit.  Happened with walleye once on Drummond.  My friend and I had nine in the live well and were both still fishing.  The CO that boarded us just said good job and asked what we were using.  And the response above is perfect...this is the way the big lake guys roll....whether they are charters or just regular John Does.  That said, yes if you are obviously filling somebody else's limit and the CO is watching you do it...or if you tell the CO that you kept 35 gills and your buddy kept 15...you are asking for a ticket.  Take your lumps and learn a lesson.  I always keep my fish separate on the ice, its so easy.  The boat is another story.
             You are talking about 2 different seasons here, soft water which is harder to keep fish separate, because of spoilage, and hard water, very easy to keep "your" fish separate, that's prolly why the boat is different!!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: DR.SPECKLER on Feb 03, 2016, 11:46 AM
most boats have 2 livewells.if I have 3 guys in my boat I bring a fish basket also.im not getting any tickets or giving them my interpretation of the law.you wont win  against the law.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 03, 2016, 11:52 AM
most boats have 2 livewells.if I have 3 guys in my boat I bring a fish basket also.im not getting any tickets or giving them my interpretation of the law.you wont win  against the law.
              This guy knows what he is talking about!!  Each officer is different, but trying to tell them the way the law is, will pi** them off!!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: DR.SPECKLER on Feb 03, 2016, 12:07 PM
              This guy knows what he is talking about!!  Each officer is different, but trying to tell them the way the law is, will pi** them off!!
lets just say in my younger days I fought the law and the law won..many times.i follow rules a lot better now that im older but still don't like authority that much.lol
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: RedShantyMi on Feb 03, 2016, 12:16 PM
Again there is no boat limit in Mi. Also their is no culling of fish allowed. Fishing tournament need an exemption in order for contestants to size up.  Any released fish must be  returned immediately to the water.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Machine on Feb 03, 2016, 12:18 PM
talked with a C.O. today and he said they will not bother to ask who caught what so long as you are under limit. Being as there are so many people fishing in shanties keeping fish separate is not necessary. I also ask about weather or not you can use three tip ups. I knew you could but asked because I saw a question about that, The answer is yes, You can fish with three lines no matter how you do it. One last question I asked is weather or not if I have friends or relatives fishing with me using my tip ups do they have to be marked with their address, He told me no so as long as each person can say which ones they are using. I hope this is useful. Thanks
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 03, 2016, 12:20 PM
talked with a C.O. today and he said they will not bother to ask who caught what so long as you are under limit. Being as there are so many people fishing in shanties keeping fish separate is not necessary. I also ask about weather or not you can use three tip ups. I knew you could but asked because I saw a question about that, The answer is yes, You can fish with three lines no matter how you do it. One last question I asked is weather or not if I have friends or relatives fishing with me using my tip ups do they have to be marked with their address, He told me no so as long as each person can say which ones they are using. I hope this is useful. Thanks
.
            They do here, as I said each officer is different!!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: DR.SPECKLER on Feb 03, 2016, 12:32 PM
            They do here, as I said each officer is different!!
yes I agree. each officer could have a different interpretation of the law even depending on their mood that day lol.just because one officer said that does not mean the whole fleet thinks that.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Machine on Feb 03, 2016, 12:46 PM
I agree, please do not take what I said as gospel,  The truth is you are allowed 25 pannies and any thing different is subject to the COs word. I just wish the laws were more clear on some issues
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Machine on Feb 03, 2016, 12:52 PM
I might also add that I ran a charter boat on Lake Erie for 20 years and never once was asked to identify whos fish were whos , Even in Canadian water. Heck I guess after all of that I have not really been much help. Sorry
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Beats sittin at the house on Feb 03, 2016, 03:39 PM
Well guess I'm no help to this situation.......gotta catch alot of fish to worry about it! :'(
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Outdoor2dacore on Feb 03, 2016, 03:52 PM
I don't think a CO would care "how well you took it."  You'd be paying a fine for over-limit and restitution fees all the same. LOL!

Love it when guys try the tough-guy persona with COs. It makes their day.

Skippy,

I never once said I would give the CO a hard time or be confrontational.  I just wouldn't be happy, my success in positive encounters with COs comes from letting them do their job and being good to them, they are folks just like us with families, they are just doing their jobs.  What I am more or less saying it that I really disagree with them following the letter of the law in this instance and feel most will use their better judgement and won't knit pick it. 

By the way, how's the fishing been up at Northern? I spent 6 years up there and miss it greatly sometimes, some awesome memories on the water up there. 
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Ice Scratcher on Feb 03, 2016, 06:03 PM



It's not what you catch but what you keep, even if it's given to someone else.

Correct ^

.        You better stay in the fort then!!  It's how many u catch!!

Wrong^

I can catch an give away 24 gills to anyone, and catch 50000 more legally as long as I don't keep any more...

<°)))>{
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Ice Scratcher on Feb 03, 2016, 06:08 PM
             You are talking about 2 different seasons here, soft water which is harder to keep fish separate, because of spoilage, and hard water, very easy to keep "your" fish separate, that's prolly why the boat is different!!

I looked everywhere and there is nothing that says the law changes with the weather....

Actually I did look because that line of thought is preposterous!

<°)))>{
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 03, 2016, 06:20 PM
I looked everywhere and there is nothing that says the law changes with the weather....

Actually I did look because that line of thought is preposterous!

<°)))>{
                    You can do anything you want, if you want to stretch the rule, but where I fish you will pay if you "give any fish to anyone" with 24 or so in your bucket, and by the way numerous guys have found out the hard way!!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Ice Scratcher on Feb 03, 2016, 06:25 PM
                    You can do anything you want, if you want to stretch the rule, but where I fish you will pay if you "give any fish to anyone" with 24 or so in your bucket, and by the way numerous guys have found out the hard way!!

I didn't keep any, gave away 24, and caught and released 200 more...

Perfectly legal, and not stretching anything...

<°)))>{
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 03, 2016, 06:29 PM
I didn't keep any, gave away 24, and caught and released 200 more...

Perfectly legal, and not stretching anything...

<°)))>{
             That's legal!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: dgb on Feb 04, 2016, 06:24 PM
Why throw them on the ice...do you want attention? I always put them in my bucket or creel to keep the sight fisherman away.... ;D
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: TK81 on Feb 05, 2016, 04:36 AM
Why throw them on the ice...do you want attention? I always put them in my bucket or creel to keep the sight fisherman away.... ;D

Bingo, we have a winner.  Only if I am alone on a lake and out of sight do I leave my fish laying on the ice.  And the only reason I do it is if I am hole hopping a relatively small area, I will leave the fish by the hole I caught them from...gives me an idea of which holes are the best. 

The reason I brought up the soft water analogy is because I think guys routinely put all their keepers in the live well and I have not heard of a CO asking multiple guys in a boat how many each kept.  All I have heard is that they just count total fish and make sure the group isn't over.  That's my experience and the experience of a couple of my friends that run charter businesses.  I'm sure that some CO's may look at things differently, but I have not seen nor heard of that scenario. 
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: bigrich on Feb 05, 2016, 08:36 AM
If the CO writes a ticket that you feel is in error fight it in court. People fight tickets every day. You may lose but that is the best place to argue your case, not on the ice.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 05, 2016, 08:39 AM
If the CO writes a ticket that you feel is in error fight it in court. People fight tickets every day. You may lose but that is the best place to argue your case, not on the ice.
      The bad thing is it would probably cost at least twice as much, which if you won would be great, but if lost be a double whammy!!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: bigrich on Feb 05, 2016, 08:50 AM
      The bad thing is it would probably cost at least twice as much, which if you won would be great, but if lost be a double whammy!!



True but the option is still there.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: fishinbro on Feb 05, 2016, 09:31 AM
Two people one licence 1 pale, count fish to meany for for 1 licence,"busted"

   
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: carver1 on Feb 05, 2016, 03:16 PM
 ** TRUE STORY*** I took my boat out on detroit river to ice fish the back basins... We all got a limit of perch and had em in our bucket... We kept 49 each to play it safe... This hardass CO made us dump our buckets out and counted... He was doing it to everyone. We were legal so no ticket... But the CO said with a very cocky voice " Your lucky you guys separated the fish otherwise the boat owner would be getting a ticket for being over his limit"... again this guy was a total prick.... I said what about walleye when I jig and 3 of us go, I have to bring 3 coolers?? He said YES or you better know what fish belongs to what person, he actually said to tag them with a sharpie..... So the answer is

 Yes you are suppose to keep em separate, yes you CAN get a ticket..... NO you CANNOT tell the CO to prove it... Its the other way around, you have to prove to them what is yours.

 That being said most CO's if you are polite and respectable would not fine you for this but they CAN if they wanted
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: GILL GETTER 357 on Feb 05, 2016, 05:55 PM
SAD SAD WORLD WE LIVE IN. >:(
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Icefisher40 on Feb 09, 2016, 11:44 AM
Skippy,

I never once said I would give the CO a hard time or be confrontational.  I just wouldn't be happy, my success in positive encounters with COs comes from letting them do their job and being good to them, they are folks just like us with families, they are just doing their jobs.  What I am more or less saying it that I really disagree with them following the letter of the law in this instance and feel most will use their better judgement and won't knit pick it. 

By the way, how's the fishing been up at Northern? I spent 6 years up there and miss it greatly sometimes, some awesome memories on the water up there.

You name a species, and it's biting. Probably the best season I've had yet.

Lakers, Rainbows, and Walleye have been my most recent targets. Getting tired of eating gills and perch.

Still looking for those elusive brookies/Browns.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: TheMightyKraken on Feb 09, 2016, 12:45 PM
Never met a CO that would do this, they are always decent peeps

Now maybe if you are acting like an idiot or drunk and obnoxious he or she may write tickets.

When did everyone suddenly become a lawyer?
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Gills-only on Feb 09, 2016, 03:48 PM
I have never had any problems either!!
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Hollywood703 on Feb 15, 2016, 10:56 PM
It's not what you catch but what you keep, even if it's given to someone else.

If you dont throw a fish you catch back in the hole you caught it from then you kept it and count it. Pretty simple.
Title: Re: Fish Piles
Post by: Hollywood703 on Feb 15, 2016, 11:04 PM
Slightly different angle.  I've never really thought about it but if I've reached a limit, isn't it still legal to fish as long as I do not keep any?  That would be like a bass tourney when someone has their fish limit but is searching for a bigger fish?

In a tournament, usually they apply for a culling exemption. Otherwise once you decide to keep a fish, it counts for your limit. So in a tournament they can keep fishing an cull as needed. But other than that, if you have limit, You likely could be sited as you have your limit, once you pull that 1 over limit out of water, regardless of intention to immediate release, you are over your possession limit by definition.....cited for it? depends on CO.