[Guest]

Situation:

Big fish is caught (in this case rainbow), you believe the size limit to be a certain length and keep the fish because it is well over the limit you very sincerely think is the actual limit. After having the fish on a stringer the rest of the day you find out the limit is actually higher than you thought. The fine for keeping an undersized fish is heavy, but do you put the already dead fish back to float, or do you keep the fish because you made an honest mistake and know you would never knowingly string up an undersized fish.

I'm not gonna go into detail, becaue I know I woujld just get slammed, but this is the first time it happened, and it was a huge dillemma.

Sorry everyone, but give me your views. It's kinda like ethical fishing against the law of fishing...releasing a dead fish and leaving it to waste, or keeping it knowing that you honestly made a mistake.

 

[hunterfishercamper]

keep it...if anyone has a problem tell them what happened and confess
releasing it just makes other fisherman think that there is something bad in the water...wait maybe you should release it!

 

[Walking Eagle]

The real decision is do you face a fine you can't afford, or do you feed the raccoons. It's really too bad about the fish and I'm sure you felt bad about it, but I think the raccoons win this one. There's no reason to think the game warden would believe your story, nor would he care one bit about the circumstances. To him, an undersize fish is an undersize fish. Period.

 

[NeWcS]

The real decision is do you face a fine you can't afford, or do you feed the raccoons. It's really too bad about the fish and I'm sure you felt bad about it, but I think the raccoons win this one. There's no reason to think the game warden would believe your story, nor would he care one bit about the circumstances. To him, an undersize fish is an undersize fish. Period.

What he said! -----^



[me=Jay_In_Parker] [/me]

 

[kirbydog]

One part of me has compassion for you and the situation. The other part says its your responsibility to know the regs. Its over and done with.

 

[James]

Knowing you from this site, I don't see you trying to break any rules. I'm also sure you'll check regs now. I would say moraly (sp ?) you did the right thing, if not according to rules. Everyone makes mistakes, and I'm sure your's was honest. Yes, you could have thrown it back to surely die, but then some people would go for the 2nd/4th legal fish. How moral is that? I fished Mary's today, and it was crowded. there were at least 4 dead fish around that people had thrown back (hoping to take home bigger fish). Sad. Althogh everyone may not agree w/ me (and in the future I'd recommend throwing back {the fine and all}  ), I think you did the right thing.
Anyway, I would'nt dwell on it. The people on this site seem to really care about fish, and fisheries. You seem like one of the most responsable out of this site,and the fact that you would worry about accidently keeping an undersized fish only backs that up. Now get out there and give us another fishing report!  ;D

 

[jamiehughes]

i'm sure that more often than not the wardens would've fined you regardless what the situation was, they make money when they fine you......

 

[hammer]

Tough dilemma, that's one of the reasons why I release all fish I catch. Besides none of my family likes to eat it.
We'd never make in the Fishinguitars household.

 

[idratherbfishing]

This is a discussion of sportsman ethics. Unfortunately all things are not black and white. A mistake has been made, what to do now. No easy correction exists. There is no answer that is 100% right.

Do what you feel is right. And suffer the consequences that fall. In this situation there are indeed consequences no matter what you do. One may include legal ramifications, the other your conscience.

Dan

 

[Guest]

hahahahah....I do enjoy eatting walleye's, catfish, and trout once in a while.....dans right there is no right answer......if nothing else this situation should be a lesson to always check the rules and regulations while fishing a new body of water........

 

[1eyered]

Mustang

Long time no speak, buddy. Like Dan said,

"there is no correct answer"

People make mistakes, man, don't let it get you down. At least you know now. I would have done the same thing. Yeah, sure you might have been better off feeding a raccoon, but what's the guarantee on that? Of course there are birds and stuff too, but what's important is that you know for sure it didn't go to waste because you consumed it. Besides, you killed it. By mistake of course.

You're a good guy, you made a decision and that's final. And you're lucky Ranger Bob didn't find you because he don't care if it was a mistake or not. He's just doing his job. You did yours and your little dillema added to your wisdom.

Keep it up, man. Keep fishing. I know you'll be making sure of the regs after this one.


1eyeReD

 

[Guest]

Descussion & Ethics,don't fell bad we all went down the same path of fishing one way or another,and life is not perfect at all.My to cents for what it's worth, make a dis. if you gonna keep it or not,you know what is right or not , in your heart,trust me on this,and this is not just for fishing.

Gunter Romeo

 

[slayerfish]

**** happens in life,we just deal with it.Next time know the regs and you'll know the diff between right and wrong.

 

[rob]

I'd keep it just not to be wasteful, and because I killed it, but if I saw a dow walking towards me I'd probably chuck it and hope it sunk.

 

[pikester]

I would have kept it and told the truth about it if I got caught and let the ranger decide my fate. Although, you would be less likely to get caught if you cleaned it, filleted it, bagged it in coffee grounds and stuffed it down your pants for the long walk back to the truck!! Hopefully that bag would stay sealed!

 

[fatfish]

That's a tuff one. I always believe in being prepared, and part of that is knowing your regs. BUT, if for some reason I didn't (what's the minimum length on tiger muskies?) I would fish catch and release only. :-[

 

[Fish Whisperer]

I tend to agree with Dan, being an ethical question with no right answer. Personally if I didn't know the regs I'd release it just to be safe, of course I tend to practice C&R except in those walleye and camping situations. Sounds like you learned your lesson and will be all the wiser for it down the road.