Technically, as long as that 30 inch fish is in your freezer, you can only keep 3 fish in the 14-16 inch slot. No different than any other fish in your possession. Once you hand it off to the taxidermist, I’d have to say that would be pretty much the same as eating the fish and you could go back to a 4 fish limit.
Interesting question.
Wouldn’t the four fish possession limit have to be ON Mille Lacs. Otherwise, who could prove the fish didn’t come from a different lake if it was in your freezer? …even if you live on Mille Lacs? Once out of your boat on Mille Lacs, wouldn’t regular MN fish and game laws apply? I don’t plan to test my questions myself. I have a 30″ being replicated right now so I too, have and would let the real thing go.
Let’s say for example that you have 4 Mille Lacs slot fish in your freezer at home in St Paul. You are limited out and cannot legally fish on Mille Lacs until at least one of those fish is eaten. Then, when that one fish is put in the livewell, you are done. No more fishing!
But, who is going to challenge the frozen fish in your possession? Nobody! That’s where ethics comes in.
The Law states that fish in cold storage are counted towards your daily limit. Daily and possession limits are the same.
J.
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