Thread: Florida Citation Crappie

I’m not an attorney, although I seem to argue like one , but I question the legitimacy of officer Wild’s citation. While it was certainly cordial to issue a warning in lieu of a costly citation it clearly states in Code 68A-4.004(3) that the no fillet, head and tail removal rule only applies to waters where a size or slot limit exists. I’m only able to find a size limit for crappie for Lake Okeechobee and catfish are not even included in this code. Unless I’m wrong about there not being a size limit for crappie on Lake Monroe I think we have a slam dunk for an acquittal here.

We can all rejoice in the fact that officer Wild is out there trying to help protect resources for our sportsmen and insuring that the resource will continue to be available for our kids and grandchildren, but proper education of the actual rules are paramount to the success of wildlife conservation .

For Up2specks -Now that I done pretending to be F Lee Bailey, if my rant is hogwash then just toss it out with that catfish head . But if my argument holds water and we can legally fillet crappie and catfish in Lake Monroe then my fee for counsel would be that next time I fish Lake Monroe I’d like some good advice about where to go and how to fish for those specks .





68A-4.004 Possession of Wildlife or Freshwater Fish or the Carcasses Thereof.
(1) Whenever the taking or possession of wildlife or freshwater fish is prohibited, the possession of any carcass or portion of the carcass of such wildlife or freshwater fish is prohibited. The possession of any wildlife or freshwater fish showing evidence of being taken by any unlawful method is prohibited. Wildlife or freshwater fish lawfully taken during the open season and properly identified may be possessed and stored in freezers or freezer lockers except when otherwise provided in Rule 68A-12.004 or 68A-23.006, F.A.C.
(2) No person shall possess the carcass or parts thereof of any member of the species felis concolor (cougar or panther), unless such carcass or parts thereof is of an animal for which possession was permitted under Rule 68A-6.002 or 68A-6.0011, F.A.C., or was lawfully acquired outside this state and is possessed in accordance with subsection 68A-12.004(10), F.A.C.
(3) Black bass, striped bass and white bass or their hybrids, peacock bass, or black crappie and panfish (for black crappie and panfish, only in waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits for these fish apply) may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed, until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
(4) The prohibition in subsection (1), does not apply to deer carcass or parts thereof from a deer that was killed by accidental collision with a vehicle.
(5) No person shall possess the carcass or parts thereof of any black bear, unless such carcass or parts thereof is of an animal for which possession was permitted under Chapter 68A-6, F.A.C. or was legally taken or acquired and is possessed in accordance with subsection 68A-12.004(12), F.A.C.
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 6-4-81, 6-21-82, Formerly 39-4.04, Amended 5-10-87, 7-1-89, 7-1-96, Formerly 39-4.004, Amended 7-1-00, 7-1-10, 7-29-15.

here here

Originally Posted by Crappie Scott

I’m not an attorney, although I seem to argue like one , but I question the legitimacy of officer Wild’s citation. While it was certainly cordial to issue a warning in lieu of a costly citation it clearly states in Code 68A-4.004(3) that the no fillet, head and tail removal rule only applies to waters where a size or slot limit exists. I’m only able to find a size limit for crappie for Lake Okeechobee and catfish are not even included in this code. Unless I’m wrong about there not being a size limit for crappie on Lake Monroe I think we have a slam dunk for an acquittal here.

We can all rejoice in the fact that officer Wild is out there trying to help protect resources for our sportsmen and insuring that the resource will continue to be available for our kids and grandchildren, but proper education of the actual rules are paramount to the success of wildlife conservation .

For Up2specks -Now that I done pretending to be F Lee Bailey, if my rant is hogwash then just toss it out with that catfish head . But if my argument holds water and we can legally fillet crappie and catfish in Lake Monroe then my fee for counsel would be that next time I fish Lake Monroe I’d like some good advice about where to go and how to fish for those specks .





68A-4.004 Possession of Wildlife or Freshwater Fish or the Carcasses Thereof.
(1) Whenever the taking or possession of wildlife or freshwater fish is prohibited, the possession of any carcass or portion of the carcass of such wildlife or freshwater fish is prohibited. The possession of any wildlife or freshwater fish showing evidence of being taken by any unlawful method is prohibited. Wildlife or freshwater fish lawfully taken during the open season and properly identified may be possessed and stored in freezers or freezer lockers except when otherwise provided in Rule 68A-12.004 or 68A-23.006, F.A.C.
(2) No person shall possess the carcass or parts thereof of any member of the species felis concolor (cougar or panther), unless such carcass or parts thereof is of an animal for which possession was permitted under Rule 68A-6.002 or 68A-6.0011, F.A.C., or was lawfully acquired outside this state and is possessed in accordance with subsection 68A-12.004(10), F.A.C.
(3) Black bass, striped bass and white bass or their hybrids, peacock bass, or black crappie and panfish (for black crappie and panfish, only in waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits for these fish apply) may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed, until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
(4) The prohibition in subsection (1), does not apply to deer carcass or parts thereof from a deer that was killed by accidental collision with a vehicle.
(5) No person shall possess the carcass or parts thereof of any black bear, unless such carcass or parts thereof is of an animal for which possession was permitted under Chapter 68A-6, F.A.C. or was legally taken or acquired and is possessed in accordance with subsection 68A-12.004(12), F.A.C.
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 6-4-81, 6-21-82, Formerly 39-4.04, Amended 5-10-87, 7-1-89, 7-1-96, Formerly 39-4.004, Amended 7-1-00, 7-1-10, 7-29-15.