Daily Limit Question...

[jdmidwest]

I believe in streams and lakes it is ok to continue fishing after taking a limit of trout or bass. If you catch a limit of one fish species and there are other species that you may possess a legal limit of, you can keep fishing.

Trout parks, you reach possession limit, you have to stop.

[Micheal Kyle]

I saw Mike write many tickets. That has been quite a few years ago and I can honestly say I cant remember. As I said I think he would.

Yes I have saw Agents write tickets for this on some streams in Missouri one event that comes to mind was up on the Little Sac and the guy had a Limit of White Bass and A limit of Walleye and he received a citation for fishing with the fish on his person.

As I stated in my earlier post I have had it explained to me that you must take your fish to a cooler, house, lodge what ever you have available. Then you are legal

I guess the Southwest Regional Headquarters for the MDC do not know what the laws are.

You have a great point on other streams with other fish, but you know as well as I do right now on upper Taney you are not targeting any other species than trout. I am sure you can still catch a few other species though.

[Phil Lilley]

The reason I'm so emphatic about this is that I don't want to tell any of my clients or anyone fishing in any tournaments something that's wrong and will get them in trouble. That's why I've double and triple checked on this issue.

Hopefully this will be put to bed shortly.

[Micheal Kyle]

I would say that the MDC needs to get together and make this a clear issue then we will know for sure.

I think that this issue is up to the agents and lot in how they interrupt and if Quinton says you can then you can since he will be the one that writes the citation.

Sounds good to me because I'm tiered

Even to tiered to go fishing tonight I am way out of shape for the every night thing

I need to go back to school with Duane

[jdmidwest]

If the Agent misunderstands the law, then a lawyer or a judge will decide. An agent may actually be writing a ticket for some other infraction than what you think they are.

If you are fishing in an area where there are multiple species present, like all of the streams in MO, then you can fish after you keep a limit of one certain species. There is no way you can Target one species of fish when there are multiples present, so if you accidentally catch a fish which you possess a limit of and release it, unharmed, there is no law broken. If you cull one off a stringer and replace it with one caught, you violate a law.

In trout parks, the only species you are allowed to target is the trout. The above will not apply.

Missouri laws allow you to fish a stream containing trout and catch and release them all day long with out a trout stamp. The trout stamp is for possession only.

Some Arkansas streams require a Trout Stamp to even fish them, regardless if you are targeting trout, smallies, largemouth, or bream.

[soggyfeet]

The sign at the dam states a trout stamp is required to fish that area regardless.

[jdmidwest]

Since I have only been to Taney once, it may have changed. I know Ark changed it on most streams because the trout hatcheries were losing out on revenue from trout stamp sales due to the trend in Catch and Release. The Ozark Streams in MO I normally fish do not require a Trout Stamp unless you intend to possess.

[Phil Lilley]

So we're all now clear on the code for Taney- right?

[laker67]

. The Ozark Streams in MO I normally fish do not require a Trout Stamp unless you intend to possess.

Jd,

This issue always came up on Taney prior to the mandatory requirement of the trout stamp. My question would be," at what point do you intend to possess"?Let's say you have always done C&R up to the day you catch a record fish, or fish of a lifetime, or a very large fish dies in an effort to revive it. On the dead fish, you can let it float downstream, attempt to find someone "with stamp" who even wants to fool with it. On the record fish, you can't even submit it for a record because that would be possession. Do you run to town, buy a stamp, and swear you caught it after the fact. I think some probably would. I think, if trout exist in the water you are fishing, and there is a daily limit, it should be mandatory to have a stamp.

[jdmidwest]

Well Laker, I just buy a trout stamp anyway. Always have. I have not possessed a trout in MO streams all year. But the MDC Fisheries division relies on the income from the stamp to keep up production.

There are streams like the Current River, 11 pt, Little Piney, just to name a few, where the Smallies and other game fish overlap the Trout areas. There are people that fish the streams without ever targeting a trout.

When they did away with the physical stamp, I had second thoughts about even buying one, but I did anyway. The physical stamps were a part of the heritage of the trout program like duck stamps are to waterfowl hunters. Competitions for the artwork. Selling of the prints. And the additional sales of stamps to persons that collect the stamps. But now all we have is another line on our license.

As long as you have pictures, witnesses, and measurements you can replicate your trophy without killing the fish and have it qualify for IFGA records I believe. If in the off chance you catch a State record book trout, then it will have to die in order for you to get your moment of fame. It will have to be weighed on a Certified Scales.