As we very seldom take fish home, we’re asking what is the best way to dispose of the fish parts left over. Are there any areas set up to clean fish and dispose of the excess there, or must one do it all at home? In the past we’ve frozen the parts and waited for the next garbage day pickup, as just dumping them in the pickup container for a week during July is not a good answer. Any helpful suggestion will be appreciated as we just have the freezer compartment in the fridge.
I was wondering if you can fillet them on the water and sink the carcass. Since there is no size limit you wouldn’t have to keep the carcass to verify the size. As long as you keep the skin on you would have two fillets per fish. I always take mine to the Lexington county dump on ballpark road.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Fish have to be intact to verify, but if there is no limit I would say they still might fine you. Depends on who you got stopped by.
Clear Skies
Yea, I don’t think the law takes into consideration whether there is a size limit or not. It just states that they must be intact. So technically, I think they could fine you even when there is no size limit in place …just like they could fine you while the 21" limit is in place even if the fillets you had were 22"
You would think they wouldn’t fine you for fillets that were obviously not from an undersized fish or cleaned when there is no limit in place, but I’ve been scared to test it out. One of the main resons I don’t keep more fish for myself is making a mess at the house and having to get rid of the remains.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
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There was a guy at the weigh in that had some rotting fish carcasses in the back of his truck. You could smell it from 100’ away. Of course the driver stunk just as bad so he probably didn’t even notice.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Anyone who knows me or works with me knows when i have been fishing. They can smell me coming. Since they closed my dump by the house down a couple yrs ago i have to take mine to the one on corley mill/378 intersection. Thats the closest place for me, and sometimes it takes a day or two to get by there…lol… if i was on the water as much as yall are i would be dumping them back in the water, but make sure the air bladder and stomachs are poked if you didnt do it while cleaning. I have a curiosity to see what all they have been eating so always take a look…lol… just to see if they are eating something out of the ordinary or at least what size bait they are eating.
Anyways back to the subject like i said i would dump them in the lake, but before doing that i would make sure it is ok. I did hear once that dnr could ticket u for littering if they watched u do it, but dont know if that is true or not.
Hahaha i was typing my reply as you were posting i guess…
quote:
Originally posted by steelytomThere was a guy at the weigh in that had some rotting fish carcasses in the back of his truck. You could smell it from 100’ away. Of course the driver stunk just as bad so he probably didn’t even notice.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
So it doesn’t seem to be as simple as I’d hoped. Think I’m going to pass on filleting them in the boat and dumping overboard. I think that might be frowned upon. Just taking a quick run out to Richland County dump seems to be best solution for me.
There is a county dump site less than 2 miles from the ramp down bush river road. They are open 7 to 7 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Sunday from 1:30 to 5:00 (Maybe 7:00, not sure)
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
We sometimes bury them in our garden as fertilizer. Just bury them deep enough to not get dug up by dogs or other creatures.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
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We either bury them or fish on Tuesday/Wednesday since our trash collection is on Thursday … I remember fishing on Friday and not using my head so I dumped them in the trash can … By Sunday I had to take them to Ball Park and wash out the can with bleach … it still smells like rotting fish … I’ll never do that again … Next time I bury the carcasses … 
it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish now!!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Been there. Done that. Never again.
I have done all of the above. The best for me has been to freeze them and then drop in the can the morning of pick up. I have buried them, but still seem to always smell them some how. One time I did put them in the can the day before pick up, that was smelly after the 104 degree high.
Lately I also freeze them and save the heads for my crab pots on the coast. Crabs love oily fish heads.
INDIGO BAY 170- 90 JOHNSON
pattianne; you might try talking to your local grocer and ask him about putting them into his dumpster. maybe even come in with a bag of fresh cleaned filets. it works wonders for me here in lexington.
Run them thru the blender and freeze in small ziplocks and use the as chum next trip!
In our county it is not legal to dump the remains of fish in the waste collection dumpsters. No type of remains are to be dumped in the dumpsters not even in sealed trash bags. We bury the remains and I think that is preferred by DNR
Easy-just dump the remains in any creek or farm pond. There are always turtles & critters around those bodies of water that would love to have a snack-you will be doing the local wildlife a favor. GO GREEN!!! 
Well, the “green” solution makes logical sense, but I’m fearful one still might run the risk of being arrested or shot. So we’re running through our options of hiring a backhoe to dig up some of the back yard to put in a garden, buying a small freezer to provide temporary storage for fish parts, or getting a bigger blender. Still think we will just go with locating the closest legitimate dump site. Appreciate the suggestions.
quote:
Originally posted by iamfishingIn our county it is not legal to dump the remains of fish in the waste collection dumpsters. No type of remains are to be dumped in the dumpsters not even in sealed trash bags. We bury the remains and I think that is preferred by DNR
So I guess if you live in this county and don’t have a garbage disposal, then you have to bury every piece of meat that is not consumed?
INDIGO BAY 170- 90 JOHNSON