Proper way to photo and release...

[TrophyEyes]

Think or know the law huh. I have worked with DNR or Wildlife service organizations in 16 different states. I read the regulations from front to back every year. I have had lengthy discussions with conservation officers. All I am saying is that if you are trying to do the right thing you will most likely never have a problem. Can you get in trouble for placing a fish in the live well....Absolutely. Techincally fish between 20"-28" should be release immediately. Immediately is a judgement call on the CO's idea of time the fish sould be out of the water. Technically they could say by taking a picture at all it was not immediate release. The extent of my rule breaking extends to forgetting to debarb a hook in Canada after changing jigs, which I was warned by a CO. My point is that the the CO will have to make a judgement if you were intentionally breaking the law, and deserve a punishment or if you should just be warned. How many people have purchased a liscense and not signed it or not signed a stamp? That is a punishable offense, but most likely the CO is going to hand you a pen and say sign it please. I have seen that done multiple times. That is all I was saying. Trust me a DNR officer knows when you are giving him/her a line of garbage. Most likely they were watching you for some time.

We can end this back and forth. Here is the long and the short of it. DON'T cull, its illegal. Keep the fish in the lake until you are ready to take the picture. Take the picture and make sure the fish can swim off on its own power. Simple enough don't you think.

[hwalleye18]

AMEN

Here's how it reads.

For years, DNR regulations stated that fish caught illegally -- out of season or within a protected slot limit -- must be "immediately released." But it was never clear what that meant. Could you keep the fish long enough to photograph it? Now you can. Here's what the new law says:

"Immediately released" or "immediately returned to the water" means that a fish must not be retained longer than is needed at the site of capture to unhook, identify, measure, or photograph the fish.

Placing a fish on a stringer, in a live well or cooler, bucket or other container is not "immediately released" or "immediately returned to the water."

[TrophyEyes]

Clearly your missing my point. So I will concede... Your correct that is what the law states.

Just so everyone else is clear, I was defending someone else's post, as a spirit of the rule example which is often reality.

[hwalleye18]

I get your point exactly,but we need to realize this is a public forum with lots of viewers that may or may not be knowledgeable on the law.

Not trying to get in a pi$$ing match.