I can tell you from personal experience that you will get a ticket if you have a limit in your boat and cull. I learned the hard way when I was in my early twenties fishing with my wife. We had our limit and were culling. The warden pulled up and asked to see our liscense, life jackets etc. then he got our fishs out and counted them. We had our limit and i told him we were culling. He politely told me i to put my rods down and we couldnt fish any more. If we caught another fish we were breakin the law. Gave us a warning and since then I always keep one out of the cooler for each person fishing if we are culling. I also use a counter to prevent from going over. Everytime a fish goes in the box its clicked. Best investment to prevent this error in my opinion.