I read on the KDFW website or in the Ky. Afield mag. (don't remember which) this explanation. The creel is your daily limit. The possesion limit is the number of uncleaned fish you have in your possession. If you are on an extended trip (say 5 days at Ky. Lake) you can have 200 filets (100 fish) in your possesion. I am positive I read this from official KDF litrature because I was always cloudy on the subject. I clean my fish daily, so the possession limit does'nt effect me.