I pulled this from the DNR website. This is contradictory to what I’ve heard and what I’ve been doing. I always thought you did not pinch the tail on a sturgeon. Seems like this should be further clarified. The diagram in the 2008 regulation book is just plain confusing.
Quote:
Total length measurement
To determine the legal length of a sturgeon, lay it flat on it’s belly as shown in
diagram below. Then squeeze the tail from tip to tip, and measure from the nose to
the farthest tip of the tail when fully extended