Eating Walleye On The Lake

  • Kyhl
    Savage
    Posts: 749
    #1662664

    I’m pretty sure it has been this way for years. I know I’ve had this discussion for years. D

    I think we can assume ‘limit’ means maximum number of fish in possession. Hopefully we have enough grasp of the language to not have to define every word used in the regs. But they do define “possession” for us.

    Trent W
    Chatfield, MN
    Posts: 186
    #1662668

    This is straight from MN Law. Not every letter of every fish and game law is in the fishing rule book. Note Subpart 5C states that fish caught after a limit is reached must be immediately released. To me, that statement implies that fishing for the species that was limited out can still be targeted.

    6262.0100 GENERAL RESTRICTIONS ON TAKING FISH.

    Subp. 5. Possession of fish while on state waters.
    A. Fish that are taken by angling and not immediately released into the water after capture are considered to be in possession. Once a limit of fish has been reduced to possession, no culling or live well sorting (the act of replacing one fish with another one) of that species is allowed.
    B. A person shall not angle for, including catch-and-release, or reduce to possession any species during its closed season.
    C. Once a person or persons fishing as a party as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 97C.317, retain a daily limit for a species, all fish of that species that are subsequently taken must be immediately released into the water after capture.
    §D. While on or fishing in state waters with size restrictions that differ from statewide regulations, including experimental waters, special management waters, boundary waters, or any other waters with size restrictions, all fish for which the different size restrictions apply must be undressed and measurable when in a person’s possession, regardless of where taken, except under the following conditions:
    (1) when a watercraft is docked or moored to shore or when on the ice and a person is in the act of preparing and using the fish for a meal; or
    §(2) when a person is on an experimental or special management water and the fish were lawfully taken, have been packaged and labeled by a licensed fish packer, are to be prepared for a meal while on the ice or shore of that water body, and do not otherwise exceed the statewide possession limits.
    When fish are consumed under subitem (1), the angler must maintain the carcass of a fish with size limits in such a way that the carcass may be readily unpacked, unwrapped, and separated so that the carcass may be examined, measured, and counted to ensure compliance with size restrictions for that day, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 645.45.
    E. It is unlawful for a person to have in possession, regardless of where taken, any fish in excess of or outside of the limits for that water body when fishing in that water. A person must immediately return to the water any fish that is taken by angling that is in excess of or outside the limits. This item does not apply to a person who is on an experimental or special management water and the fish were lawfully taken, have been packaged and labeled by a licensed fish packer, are to be prepared for a meal while on the ice or shore of that water body, and do not otherwise exceed the statewide possession limits.
    F. A person who is in transit on the water, taking the most direct route back to the person’s lodging or docking, and not fishing, may possess fish outside of or in excess of the limits for that water body, if the species were legally taken from connected waters.

    Kyhl
    Savage
    Posts: 749
    #1662830

    Thanks Trent. That is the way I understood it under letter C. Once a limit is met you can continue to C&R, no culling.

    Jon Jordan
    Keymaster
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 6013
    #1662902

    Conservation officer checked us on LOTW this year and we asked all these questions.
    1) Possession and limits are the same, and you count the ones in your stomach as possession.
    2) Once you catch your limit your done for that species, no catch and release.

    We had our limit and he said “let me give you my talk” he went on to tell us the rules. Then he said “now if you were perch fishing” and at that moment 31lifer pulls up a 13″ jumbo. Priceless!

    I have had this same discussion with CO’s on Mille Lacs. This has always been my understanding of the rule. I can’t count the number of times we quit fishing walleye because of the “One and done” reg on Milly. (Or 2 guys get their one keeper)

    These CO’s did not have it right according to this reply from the DNR:
    ================================================================================

    From: Abernathy, Jim M (DNR) [mailto:[email protected]]
    Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2017 4:29 PM
    To: Jordan, Jon K.
    Subject: RE: Regulation Question.

    Good Afternoon
    Yes, you could continue fish for walleye(using your example).
    But it would be catch and release for any additional walleye caught.
    You would not be able to cull.
    Jim

    James Abernathy
    Customer Service Specialist Intermediate
    Information Center/OCO
    Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
    500 Lafayette Rd
    St. Paul, Mn, 55155
    Phone: 651-296-6157

    From: Jordan, Jon
    Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2017 3:15 PM
    To: *Info (DNR) <[email protected]>
    Subject: Regulation Question.

    Is it legal to intentionally continue to fish once you have reached your possession limit? For example, if I have a limit of walleye in my possession, can I continue to target walleye?

    Thank you,

    Jon Jordan
    St Paul, Mn

    Kyhl
    Savage
    Posts: 749
    #1662923

    I bet they get that question a lot. Maybe they should spell it out more clearly in the regs to save everyone some grief.

    Eelpoutguy
    Farmington, Outing
    Posts: 10386
    #1662946

    Nothing like getting the proper answer!
    If the CO’s don’t know the rules, how the heck are we suppose to know them?

    Brian Fredlund
    Posts: 1
    #1665377

    Nothing like getting the proper answer!
    If the CO’s don’t know the rules, how the heck are we suppose to know them?

    The walleye season was catch and release all summer…but you could target them and not worry about being “over your limit”. Keep your one slot fish and if asked : fishing for perch, pike, tullies, or pout !

    Walleyestudent Andy Cox
    Garrison MN-Mille Lacs
    Posts: 4484
    #1665390

    <div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eelpoutguy wrote:</div>
    Nothing like getting the proper answer!
    If the CO’s don’t know the rules, how the heck are we suppose to know them?

    The walleye season was catch and release all summer…but you could target them and not worry about being “over your limit”. Keep your one slot fish and if asked : fishing for perch, pike, tullies, or pout !

    Brian…shssshhh…! wink

    Attachments:
    1. walleye_basic_frying_650.jpg

    riverruns
    Inactive
    Posts: 2218
    #1665393

    <div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Brian Fredlund wrote:</div>

    <div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eelpoutguy wrote:</div>
    Nothing like getting the proper answer!
    If the CO’s don’t know the rules, how the heck are we suppose to know them?

    The walleye season was catch and release all summer…but you could target them and not worry about being “over your limit”. Keep your one slot fish and if asked : fishing for perch, pike, tullies, or pout !

    Brian…shssshhh…! wink

    Your missing a fillet in that pan. Only 5? I’m pretty sure you’ll need to be accountable for that last fillet.

    More than likely you will have your house and freezers gone through by the wardens to search for that fillet? Maybe it was attached to the skin and you forgot to save it. WASTED the fish then. Another ticket.

    Sounds like a place for an out of state person would just love to come and support on a regular basis?

    Walleyestudent Andy Cox
    Garrison MN-Mille Lacs
    Posts: 4484
    #1665448

    <div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:</div>

    <div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Brian Fredlund wrote:</div>


    <div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eelpoutguy wrote:</div>
    Nothing like getting the proper answer!
    If the CO’s don’t know the rules, how the heck are we suppose to know them?

    The walleye season was catch and release all summer…but you could target them and not worry about being “over your limit”. Keep your one slot fish and if asked : fishing for perch, pike, tullies, or pout !

    Brian…shssshhh…! wink

    Your missing a fillet in that pan. Only 5? I’m pretty sure you’ll need to be accountable for that last fillet.

    More than likely you will have your house and freezers gone through by the wardens to search for that fillet? Maybe it was attached to the skin and you forgot to save it. WASTED the fish then. Another ticket.

    Sounds like a place for an out of state person would just love to come and support on a regular basis?

    This was just an attempt at some humorous observation reporting. In no way do I practice this, only pointing out that as most of us are aware…this is going by some that believe it’s their “entitlement”! coffee

    Eelpoutguy
    Farmington, Outing
    Posts: 10386
    #1665449

    <div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eelpoutguy wrote:</div>
    Nothing like getting the proper answer!
    If the CO’s don’t know the rules, how the heck are we suppose to know them?

    The walleye season was catch and release all summer…but you could target them and not worry about being “over your limit”. Keep your one slot fish and if asked : fishing for perch, pike, tullies, or pout !

    I as on LOTW.

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