I've thought about the same thing and it seemed to me that the SPIRIT of the law says that if the fish goes in the livewell or on a stringer, it counts as part of your daily limit...regardless if you release it or eat it (because it might not survive the stress). I can understand that. I guess the devil is in the details... if a conservation agent sees a fisherman taking a crappie from a livewell and continuing to fish, how is he to know that the fisherman will count that fish as part of his/her catch.

I often release a fish when it becomes apparent that I'm not going to catch enough to make it worthwhile to take it home and clean it. (All too often, unfortunately) Am I technically in violation of the law?