Rules Rules Rules

The recent In-fisherman story about the world record trout that was caught but was his second of the day when he could only keep one got me to thinking of some of the good old KS rules some of us break without even knowing. Here some that caught me off guard or I forgot. Post up any other ones.

CULLING: Once a daily creel limit of any particular species has been possessed, any other fish of that species that is caught must be releasedimmediately, unharmed, into the water. It may not replace another fish already in the creel. - Once it hits the livewell it can't be replaced.

THE POSSESSION LIMIT ON ALL FISH IS THREE TIMES THE DAILY CREEL LIMIT. - Fish fry guys might not know his one.

Trotlines and setlines are prohibited on all department-managed waters under 1,201 surface acres

Except for paddlefish and nonsport fish, which may be snagged in designated waters during designated seasons (See Page 6), fish may be hooked only in the mouth to be considered legally caught by hook and line. If hooked elsewhere, the fish shall be returned immediately, unrestrained, to the water. - If you snag it no matter what it suppose to go back into the water.

It is illegal to clip the fins, tag, or otherwise mark fish if they are to be released after catch. - this came from the walleye guy at Marion that was cutting the fins off all the walleye he caught to keep them short of the legal limit.

CLEANING & POSSESSION

Fish with length or creel limits shall have the head, body, and tail fin left attached while in possession on the water or until consumed on the water. Sportfish taken must be kept until consumed, processed, taken home, released, or disposed of at a designated fish cleaning station. - No cleaning your fish on the lake!

MO requires you to keep each anglers fish separate and Identified. I have had some KDWP employees ask that but never had it enforced, might be in the future.

ANS-DESIGNATED WATERS
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) waters are defined as waters containing prohibited species such as Asian carp, white perch, and/or zebra mussels. Fish may not be transported alive from ANS-designated waters. (ANS Designated Water List)
Except that during department-permitted fishing tournaments, tournament anglers may possess live fish while en route to the weigh-in site.

The main thing to take away from this one is that fish may not be transported alive from these waters.

Hmm, no big surprises there. I've seen folks cull fish off stringers before. They don't seem to realize in their greed to take a fish that may only be a half an inch bigger, they've most likely taken away their chance to catch that first fish ever again too.
I wish that possession limit one would get enforced more often, but with all the different bag limits on different lakes I suppose it would be difficult to do.

One that I have a hard time with is one of the bait laws while I'm fishing for flatheads. The rules say you can't use a baitfish longer than 12", but a 12-15 inch carp or drum makes great bait :biggrin