I don't know we do need a agent to weigh in on this I think....I guess in all my fifty plus years of fishing I never actually looked to see if it is okay to turn back fish alive and unharmed from a livewell. The more I look and read I can't find anything other than if you don't throw it right back after landing it....you own it...good thing I eat all mine or throw them right back LOL. I wouldn't remember if I knew that at one time anyway more than likely.