Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If you want access to members only forums on HSO, you will gain access only when you Sign-in or Sign-Up .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member. ?

Eating Fish On The Ice

eyepatrol

By eyepatrol
in Ice Fishing

 Share

Recommended Posts

eyepatrol Grand Master

eyepatrol

Posted
Posted

There may be a number of you who already know this, but I contacted the DNR in Bemidji to discuss the laws of eating fish while out on the ice in a perm. ice house (sleeper house). Me and a buddy are headed up to LOTW in 2 weeks and I wanted to have a clear understanding of what the laws are pertaining to this...no ambiguities. Here's the response I received:

Quote:

The deciding factor is whether or not the lake in question is designated as a lake with "special regulations". If the lake is

NOT a special regulation lake with size restrictions you can legally have a fish fry on the lake, as long as you do not exceed your limit for the day - all fish, even those consumed, apply to your limit.

Now, if the lake is a special regulation lake with size restrictions, then the situation is different. On page 10 of the 2006 Fishing Regulations book, at the very bottom of the page it says "While on or fishing waters with size restrictions, all fish for which the size restriction applies must have their heads, tails, fins, and skin intact and be measurable . . . ." Since Lake of the Woods has size restrictions on both walleye and northern pike (see page 44 and 45 of the Fishing Regs), you would NOT be allowed to have a fish fry with either walleye OR northern. However, a fish fry with sauger or perch would be acceptable, as long as the skin was available as proof of species, which of course it would be since depositing fish parts into public waters is prohibited (page 13). Remember that the daily/possession limit still includes the consumed fish.

So, as you can see, on LOTW we can certainly eat saugers and perch, but not walleyes and pike. However, a follow-up question I had for them in a phone conversation was....since the laws require us to keep the skins of the fish we eat, how are we to prove the following day that those fish were eaten the day before? Would the skins of the fish we ate the day before still be counted as part of our daily/possession limit?

The response I got was this: when the fish are cleaned and left in bones/skins, then they are no longer considered a part of your possession limit as long as the fillets have been eaten. If you keep the fillets, then by all means, the fillets are part of your possession limit. But, if all you have left are the bones and skins, then the day after you've eaten the fish, you can replace that part of your limit.

Hope this is helpful/useful info!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Orlip Rising Star

Orlip

Posted
Posted

I am still confused, I have taken this from your conversation,

"If the lake is

NOT a special regulation lake with size restrictions you can legally have a fish fry on the lake, as long as you do not exceed your limit for the day - all fish, even those consumed, apply to your limit."

So if all fish consumed apply to your limit that would make a lot of us catch and release for the rest of the season real quick does it not? But I see in your next conversation with them they contradicted themselves saying consumed fish do not apply. confused.gifconfused.gifconfused.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites
veximan Apprentice

veximan

Posted
Posted

Orlip,

I believe what it means is that if you have a daily limit of 6 walleye and you eat 3 on the ice, you can only bring home 3 walleye. This would be on all lakes except for LOW, Mille Lacs, etc that do observe slot restrictions with Pike and Walleye.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
eyepatrol Grand Master

eyepatrol

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Orlip - not sure if I fully understand your concern, but the consumed fish apply only to the limit for the day you ate the fish. Say for example you were fishing lake "x" that had no special size restrictions (except of course for the state-wide size reg). And you catch your 6 fish walleye limit. That evening in your perm house you eat 2 of them. The next day you can catch and keep 2 more 'eyes. The fish that you cleaned and ate in the house are no longer a part of your limit....on the day after you caught and ate those fish. So, let's say Saturday you caught 6 'eyes, Saturday evening you ate 2 of them...then on Sunday you could catch and keep 2 more....the 2 you cleaned and ate on Saturday are no longer a part of your limit. It would be illegal though to catch 6 on Saturday, eat 2 Saturday evening, then catch and/or keep 2 more Saturday night. That would be considered taking 8 fish in one day.

A perm ice house is similar to your home. You can bring home your limit, eat however many you want, and the next day replace those fish that you ate.

Does that make sense and answer your question?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
The_Duckslayer Mentor

The_Duckslayer

Posted
Posted

Quote:

Say for example you were fishing lake "x" that had no special size restrictions (except of course for the state-wide size reg). And you catch your 6 fish walleye limit. That evening in your perm house you eat 2 of them. The next day you can catch and keep 2 more 'eyes.

Couldn't you catch 6 more the next day? Isn't the posession limit 12? Then the third day if you did not eat any more you would be allowed only 2 as that would bring you back up to your posession limit? Or am I missing something? Have a good one and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

ADDED: Never mind, the daily limit IS the posession limit on Walleye and Sauger I just went and looked. Sorry about that././Jimbo

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Orlip Rising Star

Orlip

Posted
Posted

Quote:

Orlip - not sure if I fully understand your concern, but the consumed fish apply only to the limit for the day you ate the fish. Say for example you were fishing lake "x" that had no special size restrictions (except of course for the state-wide size reg). And you catch your 6 fish walleye limit. That evening in your perm house you eat 2 of them. The next day you can catch and keep 2 more 'eyes. The fish that you cleaned and ate in the house are no longer a part of your limit....on the day after you caught and ate those fish. So, let's say Saturday you caught 6 'eyes, Saturday evening you ate 2 of them...then on Sunday you could catch and keep 2 more....the 2 you cleaned and ate on Saturday are no longer a part of your limit. It would be illegal though to catch 6 on Saturday, eat 2 Saturday evening, then catch and/or keep 2 more Saturday night. That would be considered taking 8 fish in one day.

A perm ice house is similar to your home. You can bring home your limit, eat however many you want, and the next day replace those fish that you ate.

Does that make sense and answer your question?

That is what I was assuming they meant but the way the first CO said it I was a little confused.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites
FrontenacPike Proficient

FrontenacPike

Posted
Posted

Last weekend we got checked by a C.O. and he asked us if we had a fish fry and what we had eaten. We told him that we had a couple walleyes the night before. He told us that since there is a slot limit you can't eat any of that specie on the ice. Luckily this C.O. was in a good mood and didn't ticket us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
eyepatrol Grand Master

eyepatrol

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Glad to hear the CO was in an understanding mood. That pretty well reflects exactly what the DNR had responded to me about. If there's special size regulations on a specie of fish (i.e. - slot limit), then you are not allowed to fry them up on the ice. The bodies must be left whole/in tact. If there's no special size regulations (no slot), then you're okay to eat whatever specie of fish.

This has been a question/concern that has always been on my mind and I know it's been discussed in other posts in other forums. I'm glad the DNR stated exactly what the rules are.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      Random Daily Pics

      By smurfy · Posted

      got that right Leech!!!!!! theres a group of guys from the cold spring area that goes out and hunts them..........i heard they had 32 a few weeks back!!!!!!!
    • chaffmj
      Random Daily Pics

      By chaffmj · Posted

      I missed the northern lights but here is a sunrise in Ely about a week or so ago.  
    • leech~~
      Random Daily Pics

      By leech~~ · Posted

      This person needs to be thanked for their service! Saved a lot of small game and fawns around there! 👍
    • Canon Guy
      Random Daily Pics

      By Canon Guy · Posted

      My app shows they probably are not visible south of Winnipeg tonight. 
    • Macgyver55
      Random Daily Pics

      By Macgyver55 · Posted

      Spent the day on Lake Havasu and ran the Colorado river up to Topock.                   Man there was some BIG money on the lake today!    
    • Wanderer
      Random Daily Pics

      By Wanderer · Posted

    • Wanderer
      Random Daily Pics

      By Wanderer · Posted

      The NOAA forecast for the lights is pretty weak this far south and like @Mike89 mentioned, the clouds have drifted in.  77% covered now.   Took a drive anyway cuz why not.  Never know what you might see.  I saw 14 coyotes.
    • leech~~
      From Full-Time to Weekend Warriors: The Pros and Cons of RV Camping Lifestyle

      By leech~~ · Posted

    • AnnieNicky
      From Full-Time to Weekend Warriors: The Pros and Cons of RV Camping Lifestyle

      By AnnieNicky · Posted

      RV camping is a popular way of enjoying the great outdoors while still having the comfort and convenience of home. It's a lifestyle that many people are choosing, from full-time RVers to weekend warriors who use their RVs for occasional getaways. In this essay, we'll explore the pros and cons of RV camping lifestyle and how it can impact your life.   Pros of RV Camping Lifestyle Flexibility: One of the biggest advantages of RV camping is the flexibility it offers. You can go wherever you want, whenever you want. There's no need to worry about booking accommodation or sticking to a schedule. You can change your plans on the fly and explore new places without any restrictions.   Cost Savings: RV camping can be more cost-effective than other forms of travel or traditional home ownership. You don't have to pay for hotels or restaurants, and you can save on rent or mortgage payments. RVs can be a great way to travel without breaking the bank, especially if you're a full-time RVer.   Outdoor Adventure: RV camping is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. You can explore national parks, forests, and other natural wonders. RVs allow you to camp in remote areas that you wouldn't be able to access with traditional vehicles or accommodations.   Social Connections: RV camping can be a great way to meet new people and make friends. You'll find communities of like-minded people in RV parks, and many RVers are eager to share their experiences and knowledge with others.   Cons of RV Camping Lifestyle   Maintenance: RVs require regular maintenance, which can be time-consuming and expensive. You'll need to perform routine tasks like checking the tires, changing the oil, and winterizing the RV to keep it in good condition.   Limited Space: While RVs can be quite spacious, they are still limited in terms of living space compared to a traditional home. This can be challenging for full-time RVers who are used to having more space.   Driving: Driving an RV can be intimidating, especially if you're new to it. RVs are larger than traditional vehicles, and they require more space to maneuver. This can be stressful for some people, especially in crowded areas or tight spaces.   Limited Amenities: RVs may not have all the amenities of a traditional home, such as a full-sized kitchen, washer and dryer, or bathtub. This can be a drawback for some people, especially those who are used to having these amenities at home.   How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Comfort of RV Camping   RV camping is a great way to experience the great outdoors while enjoying the comforts of home. However, the cost of an RV camping trip can quickly add up, and it can be challenging to stick to a budget. In this essay, we will explore tips on how to save money on an RV camping trip without sacrificing comfort.   Plan ahead: Planning ahead is essential when RV camping on a budget. Research campsite fees, fuel costs, and any other expenses associated with your trip. Make a budget and stick to it.   Choose budget-friendly campsites: There are plenty of budget-friendly campsites available that offer basic amenities, such as water and electricity hookups. National parks and state parks are great options for affordable camping. Some private campgrounds also offer lower rates than others, so do your research and find the best deals.   Cook your meals: One of the biggest expenses on an RV camping trip is eating out. Cooking your meals in your RV can save you a lot of money. Pack a cooler with food that can be easily cooked on a stove or grill. Consider meal planning ahead of time to make grocery shopping more efficient and cost-effective.   Use free amenities: Many campsites offer free amenities such as hiking trails, beaches, and playgrounds. Take advantage of these amenities and plan activities around them. Instead of paying for activities outside the campsite, use the free amenities offered.   Pack Efficiently: Space is limited in an RV, so pack efficiently. Make a list of everything you'll need and pack only what's necessary. When camping during winter, utilizing rechargeable hand warmers is advisable. These hand warmers come in various shapes and sizes, making them easy to carry around in a pocket or bag. Ocoopa provides excellent rechargeable hand warmers that also work as portable power banks, enabling you to charge other devices. These hand warmers come with various heat settings, allowing you to control the temperature to your preference.   Save on fuel: Fuel costs can be a significant expense on an RV camping trip. To save on fuel costs, plan your route ahead of time and choose the most fuel-efficient route. Keep your RV well-maintained, ensure tires are properly inflated, and avoid speeding, as these factors can impact fuel efficiency.   Reduce energy consumption: Energy costs can add up quickly when RV camping. Consider using LED lights, which are more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs. Use natural light during the day to avoid using lights. Also, unplug electronics when they are not in use to save on energy consumption. Rent instead of owning: If you only plan to go RV camping once or twice a year, consider renting an RV instead of owning one. Renting an RV can be a more affordable option than owning, as you only pay for the time you use the RV.
    • chaffmj
      Random Daily Pics

      By chaffmj · Posted

      Speaking of birds. Here is a grouse that was out along the side of the driveway this afternoon. I am getting ready to go out and look for the northern nights. I missed them last night.

  • Topics

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept