Fish cleaning question

[Bob Jensen]

Was watching a fishing show on television the other day, the group was ice-fishing. They caught some perch, cleaned them on the ice, then fried them.

I think that in some states it is illegal to clean fish on the ice or in the boat. If the fish are cleaned then eaten, it makes it difficult to keep track of daily limits.

My question is, are there states in the Midwest that allow fish to be cleaned on the ice or in the boat?

Thanks.

Best Fishes,

Bob Jensen

[Juls]

I can't answer your question, but I would think that if they kept the carcasses they could be counted. It's illegal to dispose of the fish carcasses on the ice too, right? So, my guess is they kept them in a bucket or garbage bag.

Not sure if that's legal, but those tasty fillets were probably worth the risk of being caught. LOL :cheers:

Juls

[Hot Runr Guy]

Bob,
Along the same lines, what about shore lunches? I think that some of the state statutes are worded "daily limit", so what about the fish that disappear in the frying pans, and the carcasses disposed of?
Hmmmmmmm?
HRG

[Larry Mac]

I do not know about the States but in Ontario Canada you shore lunch is part of your daily limit.

Thank you,
Larry Mac

[Blackmacs]

In Minnesota you can but as you say it counts toward your daily limit. Plus if on a lake with size restrictions you have to keep the fish as intact as possible so the carcass can be measured.

[Lundexp]

From all the different state regulation booklets i've read, all have stated that cleaning fish on the ice was illegal though the regulations are constantly changing. I'm not sure about the site where those guys caught and fried up those fish. Would be stupid to film and do so if it was illegal to do so in that area

[Bill Krejca]

Bob,

Not to mess up your thread, but along the same "line", there are several resorts in Ont. that cook a shore lunch for their clients in a little different manner.

The scenario: the clients bring their fish into camp and the fish are cleaned. Next day, the owner brings the fish taken yesterday, out to an island and everyone at camp shows up for a nice time. One fellow has been doing this for quite a while and it seems to have worked out and he hasn't gotten in trouble (that I am aware). This could raise some issues over possession, etc, etc.

I am not being judgemental, saying this is wrong, either morally or legally, but it sure could complicate things.

Bill Krejca

[SwimJig]

We stayed in a sleeper shack on Mill Lacs years ago for a weekend of Perch fishing. We thought we'd catch em dureing the day, clean em after dark and go home with bags of fillets. The folks we rented the shack from told us it was not legal to clean fish on the ice. After a 7 hour drive home, it sucked to have to clean 200 Perch in one sitting, when we had all the time in the world to do it on the ice (in the shack) after dark.

[guest]

I think "game fish" is the key here. I Missouri Perch isnt considered a game fish and so there is not limit on them. I belive they are a baitfish that people use to fish for catfish, muskie, and bass sometimes.