Culling Fish

[Overweight]

I figured this would be a great place for this question considering all the tourney fisherman on here. Explain with WI no cull rule, how you go about bringing in your biggest fish. If you can weigh 5 can you have up to 10 in your well at one time and release the small ones when coming in? I know you can't take 1 out of your 10 and replace it, but if you only have 10 can you throw the smaller ones back in.
I am confused I guess what culling is and isnt considered.

[stevefellegy]

Although tournament directors should be the ONLY ones clarifying this type of question, I will say that in past PWT events at Winnebago, we have been able to "hold" up to ten fish in the livewell. Upon reducing the tenth fish to the livewell or possession, in a sense, you have to QUIT fishing. You CANNOT take a fish from the livewell to reduce the number of fish in possession or to replace it with a bigger one. You weigh your best five from the total you have in the livewell. Most wait until arriving back at the weigh-in to do the final "sorting". Having two livewells, this is easily done as the day progresses since one "usually" knows which will be good ones or not. Wonderful "no cull" events....catch'em in the right order or else!

[walter]

A simple answer to your question is YES.

You are correct when you state than it is illegal to replace a fish. What you do with the 10 fish limit in your livewell is up to you. You can weigh them, fillet them, or throw them back if you want. Just don't replace them with another fish that day.

[Eyez]

I think these cull laws should be clarified, by changing the term "keep" to "reduce to posession".

In most no cull states, SD included where I fish, You can weigh 5 fish, have 7 or 8 in the boat (depending on the tournament). Once you put it in the livewell, it's part of your daily limit, whether you take it home or throw it back later.

I make it a point not to toss my extras back till after we get back to the ramp, I don't want people to see me taking fish out of my livewell and throwing them back while I'm in a tournament Even though I'm not doing anything wrong, it could make for an odd situation if someone thinks I'm culling.


Eyez

[reddog]

The reasons behind culling laws, if I'm not mistaken, (it does happen) is to put an end to high grading of fish in the livewell, correct. Another reason would be to eliminate the non tournament angler from releasing fish that have been in the livewell for a long duration. While it may be legal to LDR (long duration release) as long as you're not culling, I feel it is somewhat of a contradiction to the intent of the law. LDR definitly is necesary for tournaments or it just turns into gambling on catching and releasing the correct fish.

The way the law reads now, If I have a limit in the livewell, I can continue to catch and release, but cannot high grade(cull) my fish in the well with a new fish. What if I have a limit in the well, and catch a fish that is mortally wounded becuse of a gill rip or whatever. By law, I am bound to release that fish, as it would be illegal to replace him in the well with a healthier fish, more capable of survival.

[Dave in Mpls]

I'm not sure what state your in, but in MN, when you reach your limit, you're DONE fishing (for that species, which opens up a whole different can of worms!) Might want to check the regs to be sure.

Regards

[reddog]

Youre right Dave, another "gray" area .

[Jesse-WI]

Wisconsin is the same way.

[Eyez]

Yah, long duration release is probably somewhat contradictory to the spirit of the law, but it's alot better than letting someone sort 30 fish through their livewell in a day. Not disagreeing with you, just adding to your point.

That touches on another subject. If I thought that the fish I release at the end of a tournament day would not live, I would not release them. That falls under most state's wanton waste laws. I know we're not always correct, but if the fish looks healthy and active, and swims away good, it goes back. Otherwise, I eat it ;)


Eyez

[reddog]

I certainly agree with ya Eyes.

[Marty]

In New York, once you're in possession of a limit, you may continue to fish for that species but must release all fish of that species that are subsequently caught (except for bass, which are cullable).