What to do with your fish over the weekend?

[2thepointsetters]

This will be my first weekend on the ice and I am curious what do to with the fish I catch. If I stay on the ice from Friday night to Sunday afternoon do I have to leave the fish completely whole? If I catch a walleye on Friday evening it will be sitting with the guts in it for over 36 before I get home. What do you guys do when you stay on the ice that long? I will not be able to cook any while I am on the ice.

[merkman]

If I catch a walleye on Friday evening it will be sitting with the guts in it for over 36 before I get home.

That is not even an option in my book.

Prep them for transport depening on the rules of the lake.

Gut them if you need to keep them "intact"

That is only my opinion. .. check the regs to be 100% sure.

.

[Random guy]

Walleye

* Four walleye daily limit; fish 20 to 26 inches must be immediately released.

* A statewide possession limit may only include four Red Lake walleye (only one larger than 26 inches).

Northern pike

* All northern pike 26 to 44 inches must be immediately released.

* Anglers may possess three pike, only one larger than 44 inches.

Possession and on-the-water consumption

* While on the ice, all harvested walleye and northern pike must be intact and measurable, unless a person is in the act of preparing the fish for a meal on the ice.

* If walleye or northern pike are prepared for a meal, anglers are required to retain measurable carcasses, which count toward the possession limit for the remainder of the fishing day.

* Do not allow whole fish or carcasses to freeze together in buckets or bags since both need to be measurable. Pack them in snow or ice shavings in a bucket or cooler inside the fish house or vehicle to prevent freezing.

* Anglers are required to properly dispose of carcasses before harvesting additional fish the following day. It is illegal to dispose of fish carcasses on or under the ice.

Notice: The Red Lake Nation has stocked lake sturgeon into Lower Red Lake annually since 2007. Currently, these fish range up to 36 inches in length, and are protected on all waters of the Red Lakes. If you catch one, it must be immediately returned to the water.

Boundary Information

Those portions of Red Lake located within the Red Lake Indian Reservation are closed to non-band members except by special authorization of the tribal council.

When fishing near the reservation boundary, using a GPS unit will ensure compliance.

State anglers: The actual boundary is not a true north-south line. To simplify, it is recommended that State anglers stay east of the longitudinal coordinate of 94° 43’ 12.0” W to ensure they are on State waters.

Everyone fishing near the boundary is responsible for knowing his/her location.

Turn in Poachers

1-800-652-9093

Unless licensed to do so, it is unlawful in the state of Minnesota to buy or sell game fish, whitefish, or cisco. The exceptions are smelt and fish obtained under a commercial, private hatchery, or aquatic farm license. If you are approached with or witness such illegal activity, please call TIP, Inc. or a local conservation officer with details.

NEW!

[cookie129]

Gut them like a trout and put then on ice shaving/ice. Bring a cooler and fill with water /ice. Back in the crappie boom we used a cooler with lake water and they were still flopping for 3 days. Work ed well

[Random guy]

Now you cannot leave the lake with the water from the lake due to invasive laws or with the fish live in the water as that is transport of live fish.

I would clean the fish and them take them to Westwinds for dinner.

[merkman]

So the way I read that is prepare them for transport off the ice and leave them in your truck at the landing.

For food saftey reasons; dont leave the guts in your fish for any longer than you need to.

.

[Random guy]

That's how I read it.