This being such a UNDECIDED topic I’ll just play it safe and clean the fish back at the dock 
I’m sure going to ask every time I see a DNR
officer .
This is straight from a DNR officer-if you clean the fish before you get back to the docks, you will get a ticket. Even though the regs say the fish must arrive with head and tail intact, it doesn’t mean you can fillet it while out on the water.
“Never argue with an idiot…he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”
Anyone can tell from this topic , that the DNR should say exactly
what they MEAN . The only thing clear is the book can be misunderstood and should be corrected !!!
The other day at MI the DNR officer was waiting up from the ramp (it was raining out ) in his truck … if I cleaned my fish at the ramp dock then pulled up what then ??? I get a ticket ??? Can I clean them while tied to the dock …
quote:
Originally posted by WolakrabThis is straight from a DNR officer-if you clean the fish before you get back to the docks, you will get a ticket. Even though the regs say the fish must arrive with head and tail intact, it doesn’t mean you can fillet it while out on the water.
“Never argue with an idiot…he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”
Has anyone filleted a fish, leaving the head and tail intact and actually got a ticket?
-There are two types of fisherman those who fish for sport and those who fish for fish.
Here the problem with filleting on the water:
Lets say an angler catches 12 trout. He fillets them up and also cuts the fillets so it is difficult to tell how many fillets. He then dumps 2 of the trout back into the water.
On the way back to the dock he gets stopped and checked. How does the LEO determine if the angler has kept too many fish?
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
Hairball! Wouldn’t it be on DNR to prove you kept too many fish?
Yes it would and would also have people keeping over the limit. Should the law be written more concisely; sure. However, you can argue the law the other way. What if the fillets are the considered the fish? I could argue this as that is the part you are intending to keep. In that case the head and tail are no longer intact.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
Back in 2010, I was on boat and we filelted some grouper & amberjack becuase we had no room left in the box. We were stopped on the way in. They confiscated the fish, took our photos, gave us a summons for a court date, and let us go on our way. We each had to almost $1,500.00 in fines to the state of Alabama
quote:Yes, AFTER they give you a ticket, a court date, then you will be allowed to sit in front of the judge while they prove to the judge that they could not tell what kind of fish/how big a fish/how many fish the fillets came from. How many people are going to go to court vs. paying the fine? I guess that depends on the $ize of the fine?
Originally posted by EasyHairball! Wouldn’t it be on DNR to prove you kept too many fish?
It ain’t no mystery…this beer’s history!
Many have missed the point !!! You keep the car cuss not just fillets
Other states do it this way thats how you tell how many and the size
Roadie, you are absolutely correct. There isn’t a single LEO out there that would claim they could not tell if the fillets fit the carcusses & are the same type of fish as said carcusses. All of you who believe that, go ahead and clean away at sea.
I prefer to make them work a little harder than that to cite me.
It ain’t no mystery…this beer’s history!
I will speak with one of the local DNR CPLs next time he is in my dept and I will talk to him about it. I would just advise saving yourself a hard time and fileting them on the dock once you pull out of the water
Bragging may not bring happiness,
but no man having caught a large fish,
goes home through the alley.
-Anonymous
i just clean them when i get home. You could always save the carcasses for the neighbor down the street:wink:
Just for some legal clarity, guys…
The section of applicable law is
50 - 13 - 60
50 is for Title 50 of the Code of Laws
13 means Chapter 13, which is titled “Protection of Fish”
60 is the specific section of law, the key words being “any game fish”.
Its the law for any fish in state waters, fresh or salt, or any fish for which a limit standard is in effect by any applicable law.
If it looks like I’m being a smarta$$ again, sorry…I’m just trying to help.
The more we just complain…the more things stay the same.
Thanks for the info … there is ALOT of reading on that site . I’ll need to have lawyer with me 
But I also see this am i in the wrong spot ???
SECTION 50-13-60. Department to declare closed season in streams on recommendation of county legislative delegations.
The department shall declare a closed season for a period of not more than sixty days at any one time on fish in any stream in this State on the written recommendation of the Senator and at least one half of the representatives from any county in which such stream may be situated. Any person who shall take fish from any such stream in this State during any such closed season shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not less than thirty days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 28-577; 1952 Code Section 28-577; 1942 Code Section 1769-1; 1932 Code Section 1807; 1931 (37) 340; 1952 (47) 2179; 1955 (49) 463; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1263.
Read this post from titled "chs 60"on the “Offshore Report”
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150 Mercury Verado
Re-read that report , they cleaned there catch then went to pull the boat out some where else. I have to agree no way to tell the size WITHOUT THE CAR CUSS HEAD AND TAIL INTACT … bad move !!
quote:
Originally posted by lfaltusRead this post from titled "chs 60"on the “Offshore Report”
Sea Pro 2100 CC Bay
150 Mercury Verado