Targeting out of season species

[fishnowworknever]

Ok I just called the DNR...that CO was somewhat wrong.

You can party fish, but once you have your limit you cannot target that species. I'm just the messenger here, that's what the guy just told me on the phone.

Oh well, didn't matter to us I guess we were still catching walleyes.

[Craigums]

"You can party fish, but once you have your limit you cannot target that species"

...That's incorrect

[fishnowworknever]

This is exactly why they just need to spell it out in the regs. Maybe have a FAQ section or something in there.

I don't see anything in the regs stating you cannot keep fishing once your limit is caught.

[TruthWalleyes]

Like on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd page of this thread.....The ONLY WAY you get ticketed for out of season fishing is if you ADMIT that is what you are doing.

I see NOTHING in the regulations that states you can not catch and release walleyes (Even if you already have a limit in your boat, or freezer).

Just FISH and forget the rest!

[John478]

I believe where they can get you. Is if you have your limit of fish and then you catch another fish of the same species and bring it into the boat to unhook it. Technically you are now over your limit.

[neptune]

Page 13 of the 2013 Fishing Regulations, " Once a daily or possession limit of fish has been reached, no culling or live

well sorting is allowed. "

[ClownColor]

"You can party fish, but once you have your limit you cannot target that species"

...That's incorrect

No, he's right...once a limit has been caught you can NOT target them anymore.

[fishnowworknever]

I believe where they can get you. Is if you have your limit of fish and then you catch another fish of the same species and bring it into the boat to unhook it. Technically you are now over your limit.

Only if that fish is in your possession, catching, a quick picture and immediately releasing a fish does not count towards your possession limit.

[Alagnak]

Page 13 of the 2013 Fishing Regulations, " Once a daily or possession limit of fish has been reached, no culling or live

well sorting is allowed. "

We're not talking about culling or sorting. We're talking about fishing. There's no law that says you have to stop FISHING. I have a FISHING license.

[neptune]

We're not talking about culling or sorting. We're talking about fishing. There's no law that says you have to stop FISHING. I have a FISHING license.

Good clarification. I like that interpretation better. Thanks.

[Craigums]

No, he's right...once a limit has been caught you can NOT target them anymore.

[John478]

Only if that fish is in your possession, catching, a quick picture and immediately releasing a fish does not count towards your possession limit.

Possessing Fish

• Daily and possesion limits are the same unless otherwise noted. Fish are in an angler’s possession whether on hand, in cold storage, in transport, or

elsewhere.

Now in the same section of the hand book it says

While on or fishing waters with size restrictions it is illegal to possess any fish outside legal length limits

Now we all know in this case its ok to catch the fish take a picture, measure it and release it.

I agree its a bit of a fuzzy area. But I have read on this site a number of times of people getting ticketed for this.

For myself if the bite is good and I want to keep fishing I stay shy of the limit by one fish until I'm ready to leave

[ClownColor]

Quote:

Prove it, tell me exactly were it says in the regulations that I can't keep fishing (catch and release) for a species even though my limit is filled.

Quote:

I don't make the rules but here's where you'll get busted. Read the bottom of page 20:"Any fish that is caught and will not be utilized must be immediately returned alive back into the water. A person cannot wantonly waste a fish that is

caught by leaving it or any usable portion on the ice, thrown up on the

bank, or intentionally killing it and returning it back into the water unless authorized.

They claim you can't gurantee you won't kill a fish or gut hook one. and if you do, you already have your limit. Now, what about size restrictions? well-nothing you can do about that cause you can't target 16-18" walleyes...but you can control the fact that you already have a limit.

Don't get angry with the messenger

[ClownColor]

Ok I just called the DNR...that CO was somewhat wrong.

You can party fish, but once you have your limit you cannot target that species. I'm just the messenger here, that's what the guy just told me on the phone.

Oh well, didn't matter to us I guess we were still catching walleyes.

And did people not see this guy emailed the DNR and they said it was ILLEGAL to target after a limit was caught?

[Markula]

I've always disliked this subject.

Here's my view...

If you have a limit of (for example) 6 walleyes in your livewell and continue to fish for them, C n R only, they (DNR) claim if you catch one you are in possession of one over the limit, #7. Against the law?

If you are fishing on Mille Lacs, catch and bring aboard a 15 inch walleye(illegal to possess), you are still breaking the law. According to the DNR, you are in possession of an illegal fish. Is catching short fish and releasing them against the law??

[ClownColor]

What if you have your six fish and keep targeting them and kill one? Say blow it's bladder, exhaust it to death, gut hook it bad and it floats when you release it...

Not that I agree here with the law but that's what it states.

[Craigums]

Your intentionally blurring the line. If you catch a fish, unhook it and put it back in the water, and it floats to the surface. that fish is not considered in your possession or count towards your limit. It is also not wanton waste because you attempted as an angler to release it.

If it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy to stop fishing altogether once you've gotten your limit by all means do it. But it doesn't mean it's illegal to continue to C&R.

[Slabasaurus]

If it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy to stop fishing altogether once you've gotten your limit by all means do it. But it doesn't mean it's illegal to continue to C&R.

It's the intent. You cannot legally target a fish you have a limit of.

You don't have to stop fishing altogether.

[Craigums]

It's the intent. You cannot legally target a fish you have a limit of.

You don't have to stop fishing altogether.

You absolutely can continue to target a fish you have a limit of. You just cannot keep anymore. You cannot cull or shuffle your bag either. You catch the fish, you unhook it and it goes back into the water.

[Slabasaurus]

You absolutely can continue to target a fish you have a limit of. You just cannot keep anymore. You cannot cull or shuffle your bag either. You catch the fish, you unhook it and it goes back into the water.

You can, sure. Just not legally

I know we've had this discussion here before....

[amateurfishing]

I understand it as "technically" since you were 2 2 short of your total party limit you can still target them until the 3rd person in party has kept limit, essentially meaning you or second person in group could catch keeper for the 3rd guy that does not have limit, mn law allows "party" limits, this is the reason mom or dad can take kids without license and the family group can keep individual limit x number in party that can "fish" on their own.

[DTro]

[CaptainMusky]

I think people are getting confused by this quote: "Possessing Fish

• Daily and possesion limits are the same unless otherwise noted. Fish are in an angler’s possession whether on hand, in cold storage, in transport, or

elsewhere."

On hand in this instance does not mean the "7th walleye" you just reeled in, it means the 6 you already have in the livewell. You are only in possession of that "7th" fish if you a) put it in your livewell or cooler or c)hidden storage in the boat or d) trunk of your car, etc

[ClownColor]

Your intentionally blurring the line. If you catch a fish, unhook it and put it back in the water, and it floats to the surface. that fish is not considered in your possession or count towards your limit. It is also not wanton waste because you attempted as an angler to release it.

If it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy to stop fishing altogether once you've gotten your limit by all means do it. But it doesn't mean it's illegal to continue to C&R.

Okay...I guess you have your own rules.

Does it make me feel warm and fuzzy? I could care less what people do but the law is the law.

Call the dnr yourself then and ask. Have fun when the DNR meets you with a full limit and PLEASE tell them you are still targeting that species...I want to hear what happens next

[Craigums]

Okay...I guess you have your own rules.

Does it make me feel warm and fuzzy? I could care less what people do but the law is the law.

Call the dnr yourself then and ask. Have fun when the DNR meets you with a full limit and PLEASE tell them you are still targeting that species...I want to hear what happens next

It's not the law if you just make it up. Again show me in the regulations were it says that I can't continue to fish for a fish that I already have a limit of and I'll eat my crow.