Possession And The Law

[Feathers and Fins]

From the MDC regulation Book:

Any fish you catch is included in your daily limit unless you release it

unharmed immediately. You may not replace smaller fish in your possession

with larger ones caught later. You need to make a keep-or-release decision

as soon as the fish is caught.

There is one exception: If, from September through June, you are a

participant in a bona fide catch-and-release black bass tournament (one

after which all bass are released alive), which requires entrants to have a

boat livewell with adequate capacity and a pump constantly adding fresh or

recirculating water, the black bass you release unharmed from the livewell

need not be included in your daily limit. At no time may the daily limit be

exceeded.

Daily and Possession Limits

You may possess no more than the daily limit of any given species while you

are on waters, or on the banks of waters, where daily limits for those species

apply. Where only catch-and-release fishing is allowed, fish must be returned

unharmed immediately to the water after being caught.

Possessed and Possession:

The actual and constructive possession and control of things referred to in the Wildlife Code.

Keep in mind if you are fishing and have a limit of (5) or whatever the limit is. To take another fish of that species limit would be over limit by definition of “possessed / possession.” The only exception to this rule is for black bass tournaments as shown above. From September to June only.

Some area regulation also require and angler to stop fishing once a limit has been attained altogether. Check the regulations for the water you are on for specific information.

[hoglaw]

You would not be over limit to continue fishing for and continue catching fish of the same species of which you already have a limit in the cooler. If you have five bass on ice (I assume that's the limit) in a non-tournament setting, you can continue fishing so long as you immediately release all additional fish you catch. You cannot "cull" except in a tournament, but this rule does not mean that you are over limit by catching another fish if you already have a limit so long as that fish is released. "Any fish you catch is included in your daily limit unless you release it unharmed immediately."

[ollie]

Was there a problem somewhere? Ok, I know it is a problem somewhere with someone, but why the posting?

[Feathers and Fins]

Hog I respectfully must point out that indeed to continue fishing for species after a limit is taken is in clear violation of the regulation is certain areas and why I posted to check the regulations.

You must stop fishing for all species when you have four trout in possession.

Please remember there are very clear regulations for certain areas and after certain species are kept.

[Feathers and Fins]

Na Ollie just had a few people asking question awhile back so i did some reading this morning and figured i would post it up. actually another thread reminded me of it. Posted here and called the guys who were asking about it.

You really have to read all the regs and take them as a whole, Like the trout deal you have to stop fishing after you have a limit. or the culling if not in a tournament. I wish the MDC would just make a simple one paragraph law for all species.

[eric1978]

We saw a guy at Baptist on the Current last weekend, first thing in the morning with a big brown on a stringer. That's his limit. He hadn't even shoved his canoe off to start his float. Does this mean he couldn't legally fish the rest of the day?

[Kayser]

Also, interestingly enough by this rule, there should be no culling of black bass in tournaments, PERIOD, in July and August. It would be a "instant decision" kind of tourney, like some of the walleye tournies I've watched on tv over the years.

[Feathers and Fins]

Like I said it would be nice for MDC to clear it up. But like alot of the regs you have to read the entire book to find out you might be in violation of one part from another part.

Eric without looking up the specific regs for that area i dont know

Kayser thats the way it reads.

[Smalliebigs]

"We saw a guy at Baptist on the Current last weekend, first thing in the morning with a big brown on a stringer"

that sucks.....think of how many we throw back.....all of them for me...oh well, it's legal.

[eric1978]

Eric without looking up the specific regs for that area i dont know

The daily limit on the Blue Ribbon section of the Current is 1>18. By your rationale, the guy was illegal as soon as he put that fish on a stringer and made another cast. Not saying you're right or wrong, and I'd be happy to hear you're right, but that seems a little strange if it is indeed the case.