Limit/Law/Game Warden Question

[Shad Ball Buster]

If I fish till midnight and catch a limit by law or a game warden can I start keeping fish after midnight? My thoughts are as long as I keep them on separate stringers I should be good because it is technically a different day, as long as I don't break the possession limit.

I anyone knows for sure I would appreciate some incite.

like I'm gonna catch a limit, I couldn't catch my butt with 2 hands! Lol

[Jerry Rapp]

very good question, I have asked a similar question about night bass fishing tournaments in Missouri when they have the idiotic cull limit in place. I have never got an answer. IMHO, a new day, is a new day, and you should be allowed to start over.

[fishinwrench]

They'll go ahead and write you a citation and tell you to hash it out with the judge.

Then the judge will inform you that you need an attorney. If you had just paid the fine you'd be 2000.00 ahead.

[Phil Lilley]

I've heard of ONE person getting out of a similar situation with white bass on Bull Shoals years ago but I wouldn't recommend it.

Clean the fish, store them then go back out after midnight.

[Shad Ball Buster]

I figured I wouldn't take any chances, just save myself the hassle. If I'm lucky enough to catch a limit then I'm lucky enough!

[Bucksbybow]

Taken from the

Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations effective March 1, 2015

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."

[Jerry Rapp]

Taken from the

Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations effective March 1, 2015

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."

so what, I had a daily limit I caught on Saturday before midnight, and a daily limit I caught on Sunday after midnight. Since I fished two days, I should be allowed 2 limits. Way too many stupid laws out there, and not enough of common sense.

[Crappie Catcher]

I had the same question so I asked the game warden and he said if he checked me he would write me a ticket. He said take the first limit back to truck/ camp and go catch another limit after midnight he would not have a problem with that.

[jdmidwest]

Funny thing the way laws are written.

I can drive to Arkansas, catch 5 trout, put them in a cooler. Then I can stop in MO and catch 4 more legally.

But, if I get checked with 5 trout in a cooler in a parking lot with 4 more on a stringer, I will be breaking a law. The 5 in the cooler are perfectly legal, but since they are near a stream with a lesser limit in another state, they are illegal, by the letter of the law.

It happened many times in the past, I would travel to Spring River and catch my limit. Arkansas has always been one more trout than MO. On the return trip, I would stop in on the 11 PT and fish MO waters. Many times I would catch more trout and keep a few. I never ran across a warden, but I asked one if I was in violation. He said, yes and no. The violation was if I left the cooler in the truck in the parking lot. If I dump the cooler off before I park and fish, I would be fine.

[MOPanfisher]

It is pretty plainly written, you can only have one limit in your possession while on the water. Not confusing in the slightest. What would you expect a Conservation Agent to do if he checks you early in the morning and you have a limit of crappie plus 14 more?