Out of season record fish?

[chack22]

I've been viewing this board for quite some time and thought I would throw this thought out as some pals and I were discussing it. What are the regs on catching a fish out of season, which you were not fishing for, and having it verified as a state record? There have been plenty of times where I was jigging for crappies and hooked into a wandering LM or 'eye and the question came up as what if you hooked a record? Is it valid, can you really take that fish from the lake and have it verified by the DNR? Along the same lines, some lakes have a all 12" and longer LM must be immediatly released into the water. Same question, what if you pop grandma LM and want to have it verified. We were all over the place with responses and valid points, just wanted to hear some different views.

[BDR]

The regs say it must be immediatly returned to the water.

No time for verification.

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I'd rather be skunked than follow the crowd!

Brian Rogers

JR's Tackle

[Northlander]

BDR is correct. It must go back emediately!

[minneman]

Id like to think im speaking for most here on this, but a trophy would have to be a leagal catch, in season, where ever you are.

[Surface Tension]

Any fish that is caught out of season isn't eligible for the record books.

[chack22]

Thats what I was trying to argue, it seems some of the people that I was discussing this with thought that a once in a lifetime catch (aka state record) would be able to be verified. Just wanted to get some other opinions outside of our little circle. BTW, this web site is an unbelievable resource and I will be sharing it with everyone that will listen.

[walleyehawk]

It would be a nightmare for the DNR to enforce. How many once in a lifetime catches can some guys get.

There is usually a good reason to close the season, such as spawning fish.

Part of the luck aspect of fishing I guess. Catching it in season.

[chack22]

Some arguments were that the DNR is very interested in seeing some of the records broken, however I believe that that may entice some people to go after fish out of season. We just thought it was an interesting topic, we argued back and forth for about five hours... well about ten pitchers worth.

[wishiniwerefishin]

I would say that an out of season fish, regardless of size, would not count and has to be returned to the water immidately. However, if there is a maximum size, i would have to say that if you wanted to get it verified and then release it, the DNR would turn their head.

[Northlander]

Wishin, I seriously doubt the DNR will just turn their head to a blatant violation like that! I dont know any that would!

[BDR]

I have to agree with Northlander on that one. In regards to any slots the regs read. Fish outside of a harvest slot must be immediately released.

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I'd rather be skunked than follow the crowd!

Brian Rogers

JR's Tackle

[wishiniwerefishin]

You guys are probably right, i guess it was just wishful thinking on my part. I personally think there should be an exception to this rule, but dont think there ever will be.

[psegriz]

It would be too easy for people to take advantage of a rule like that. I'm sure the DNR wouldn't be thrilled about trying to enforce it either.

GRIZ

[CrappieJohn]

Chack22....First off, Welcome aboard! Good topic, but easy to define. Any fish to be recognized as a "record" has to be taken legally....by rod and reel, within the line class and within the specified season for that particular fish. To help clarify the statement made that " the DNR would probably turn their head"....this may be true- after handing the appropriate ticket to the one-who-thinks-I-am-silly who approached them in the first place. Again, welcome on deck and a good topic to clear up for those who don't know.

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Plastics...making better fishermen without bait! Good Fishing Guys! CrappieTom

Culprit Tackle Crappie Pro Staff
[email protected]

[JP Z]

"Yeah, I swear I was crappie fishing........oh that...........of course I use a Flippin' Stick with 25lb and a 1/2 oz Jig and Pig for Crappie....doesn't everyone?"

That would be what the DNR would be hearing a lot more of if they "turned their head."

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Tight Lines,

JP Z

[icehousebob]

This topic brings to mind something that happened at a fishing contest years ago. It was the week after gamefish closed, so we showed up with our panfish rigs. Several people had heavy rods and tip-ups. Someone asked one of the officials what they would do if Northerns were caught. They announced that they would be weighed for the contest and released. I told them that I was going to make a chunk of money turning them into the DNR tips line for breaking the law. When they found I was serious, they changed the rules to allow panfish only. That was the last year for that contest.

[wallyH]

I'd be willing to bet that the DNR would be more interested in a record walleye laying her record amount of eggs than to see a record broken.

Wally

[Coldfeet]

This reminds me of something I witnessed about 15 years ago. My family was camping on Little Elbow Lake (about 20 miles east of Waubun, MN) in what used to be a state park. There was a game warden there that was always coming around and chatting with people. There was a family camped next to us who had a kid that was a few years younger than me (I was about 12 or 13 at the time) who was fishing from shore with a plain hook and worm with a bobber. The game warden had stopped by and was talking to me and my brothers who were also fishing from shore. Then we hear a spash and look over to see this kid fighting a MONSTER Bass and he actually lands the fish. The game warden tells him to hold onto it for a minute while he grabs his hand held scale out of the truck. I don't remember the exact weight of the fish, but it was over 8 lbs. Then he informs the lad that bass season doesn't start until the following weekend and he must release the fish, which he does. His parents were out on the lake at the time and I don’t' think anyone got a picture of it. Anyway, to make the story even more interesting, my dad catches a northern pike the same day and the game warden measured it on the same hand held scale which showed it to be a little over 8 lbs, which my dad doesn't believe, so he takes his northern down to the Tulibee Lake store about 5 miles away (they have an "official" scale) and the northern weighs over 10 lbs. I've always wondered if I did indeed witness a catch and release of what would still be a state record Largemouth Bass. I guess I'll never know.

I've gone back to that lake several times, but It froze out about 6 or 7 years ago and I haven't seen a bass in there for quite a while. It used to be an awesome bass and crappie lake.