Question: Where do all those fish end up when numbers are caught?

[BobC]

MY answers in Red

Most tourneys I've fished will not weigh dead fish and at the very least have a penalty for dead fish. Also most states have laws against wanton waste.

Yes plenty of meat on a 9" crappie, I've even cleaned 8" crappie as long as you know how to clean fish I bet you could eat 7" crappie. A crappie is a sunfish so I assume you mean bluegill and perch and the answer to that is also yes.

Good comments, keefer. Only keep what you want for food.
Bob