Statewide Fish Limits

[Phil Lilley]

We were discussing possession limits for crappie on another thread and I wanted to repost it here so that it gets more exposure.

We all want to stay legal when possessing our catch. I think there was some assumptions about the legal possession limit for crappie only being 30 fish when in fact it's 60.

http://mdc.mo.gov/blogs/fresh-afield/limiting-confusion

Here's an article that talks about limits. I don't think a lot of anglers know certain lake limits vary from statewide limits. When a lake, like Taneycomo, isn't listed with special regulations on bass and crappie, the default, state limits are in play. So there's no length limit on bass or crappie on Taneycomo and the state daily limit of 30 crappie and 6 bass, 60 crappie and 12 bass, possession, is correct.

So many anglers only fish Table Rock and/or Stockton and abide by the special limits for those lakes- that's all they know and might assume the limits are the same statewide. Many think they only can keep 30 crappie in the freezer because it's twice the Table Rock daily limit when they can really keep 60, the statewide possession limit.

As for giving fish away - I believe once those fish are out of your possession, that's exactly what they are and you can replace them. I would advise you to cross your name off those baggies and instruct the blessed friend you're giving them to to write their name on the bag before putting them in the freezer. I wonder if they need a fishing license to have fish in the ice box...?

[laker67]

A very good article indeed. In this article, it talks about having your possession limit at the cabin or the resort where you are staying. I am guessing that keeping them in a livewell on the dock would be in violation. I am talking about being on a 15 per day lake, and you having 60 in the livewell on going home day.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I read this last year and understand what Jim is saying, but it still doesn't seem right to me. But it is also the way we have always done it too.

According to the Wildlife Code the definition of Possessed and Possession is: The actual and constructive possession and control of things referred to in this Code.

So if you have 60 in your freezer and you have 30 more in your livewell, it would appear to me, according to the definition you have 90 in your possesion.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I wonder if they need a fishing license to have fish in the ice box...?

I would think so if they're native fish, I.E. not Chinese grown.

[laker67]

 

As for giving fish away - I believe once those fish are out of your possession, that's exactly what they are and you can replace them. I would advise you to cross your name off those baggies and instruct the blessed friend you're giving them to to write their name on the bag before putting them in the freezer. I wonder if they need a fishing license to have fish in the ice box...?

 

I would guess that you could not replace them in the same day.

[Phil Lilley]

I read this last year and understand what Jim is saying, but it still doesn't seem right to me. But it is also the way we have always done it too.

According to the Wildlife Code the definition of Possessed and Possession is: The actual and constructive possession and control of things referred to in this Code.

So if you have 60 in your freezer and you have 30 more in your livewell, it would appear to me, according to the definition you have 90 in your possesion.

You're right- you are by code over your limit, regardless of your intention.

[Phil Lilley]

   

I would guess that you could not replace them in the same day.

Right. Daily is daily... you can't harvest more than your daily limit even if you give them away. I see this occasionally on this lake. I've had a gentleman years ago go out and catch his limit, come back to the dock and give them away to someone not catching fish, then go back out and catch and keep another limit. Sometimes he'd give 2 or 3 limits away in the same day... he thought he was doing a good thing. May be... but it was against the code and he could have been ticketed for it.

[Chief Grey Bear]

 

  

I would guess that you could not replace them in the same day.

 

That is correct according to the Code book.

3 CSR 10-4.136 Giving Away Wildlife

Wildlife legally taken and possessed may be given to another only by the taker after completion of the day's fishing or hunt. Any wildlife given to another shall contiune to be included in the daily limit of the taker for the day when taken. Wildlife, except deer and turkeys taken in Missouri, shall be labeled with the full name address and permit number of the taker, species and the day when taken. Deer and turkeys taken in Missouri shall be labeled with the full name and address of the taker, date taken, and the Telecheck confirmation number of deer or turkey. Wildlife recieved as a gift shall be included in the possession limit of the recipient.

[laker67]

Are we labeling all wildlife or just wildlife given? I do not understand that paragraph.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Yes we have to label and date all wildlife.