Another thread relating to the culling of dead fish got me thinking about a similar issue.  Many states and/or lakes have slot limits in effect.  But they also have laws about the wasting of fish.  Which rule applies when you catch a fish inside the slot limit but which is dead (or will die shortly after release)?  Are you required to keep it or put it back?  I have known fishermen to keep such fish and then hold their fingers crossed that no game warden will stop them (or will believe them and cut them some slack).  Am curious as to what you all do in such a case?

If it's not actually dead, then you release it, even in poor health.

If it is dead, then I would still release it into the water. I don't know if this would be considered illegal, but I do know that keeping a fish, even a dead one, in the slot limit is illegal.

Tough call either way.

:-/

I recommend NEVER keeping an illegal fish.

Your explanation to the game warden or DNR

agent will work about 0% of the time. Do your

best to avoid harming fish you intend to release,

but then...fish die, just get over it.

I recommend NEVER keeping an illegal fish.

Your explanation to the game warden or DNR

agent will work about 0% of the time. Do your

best to avoid harming fish you intend to release,

but then...fish die, just get over it.

X2

Big O