So Why(?) Is Cleaning A Trout On Shore A Fineable Offense?

[T-Bone]

I guess one of the mysteries to me is that cleaning your trout bankside is considered littering and can result in a ticket from a WDFW Agent. Turtles, crayfish and the alert sea gull (immediate gone there) seem to benefit from the entrails and to get picky, a number of resorts have fish cleaning stations that are part of their dock system and empty directly into the lake.

As someone who hates litter bugs and P/U others bank trash on an every trip basis; I find the bank fish cleaning "No No" very silly.

[The scout]

I think it’s kinda silly also, but think of a popular lake on opening weekend if everyone that pulled out at the ramp cleaned there fish at the ramp there would be hundreds of heads and guts everywhere, possibly swarming with birds. I guess I could see it both ways.

[Cougartail]

Don't you guys realize how offensive heads and entrails of fish are to snowflakes? How can you commune with nature after witnessing such a horrific site like that?

[MADMAX]

That’s one I never heard of before
Is that in the fishing rules book ?

[Knocker of rocks]

That’s one I never heard of before

I can’t find it either,  just restrictions against littering and chumming.

[MADMAX]

I found this
You may
• Clean or portion fish or shellfish while in
the field with the following exceptions: It is unlawful for an angler to fail to retain proof of compliance with species, size, number, weight, sex, or wild or hatchery origin restriction, if such restrictions apply, until the angler is ashore and has finished fishing for the day. For all rockfish species and for fish with a length restriction, anglers must retain the fish carcass until coming ashore to comply with the above rule. This does not apply if the catch is in the process of being prepared for immediate consumption.

[Knocker of rocks]

Returning the waste to the lake ecosystem has been the recommended course for quite a while in high lakes.

[James]

Hatcheries do this with the leftover carcasses because of the importance of nutrient recycling for the ecosystem.

[Cougartail]

Go to any small creek in Alaska's coastal areas after the Salmon have spawned. Carcasses litter the water and banks.. Doesn't seem to be an ecological issue.

[Knocker of rocks]

I think at this point we need a source reference from the OP.

[pianoman9701]

I can find nothing that would prohibit cleaning your trout at the shoreline, unless that cleaning somehow hides the species of trout. I do it every time I fish.

[Knocker of rocks]

I can find nothing that would prohibit cleaning your trout at the shoreline, unless that cleaning somehow hides the species of trout. I do it every time I fish.

I think we're responding to a "somebody heard something they told my friends dads uncle "

[tritt007]

Perhaps the op is referencing the fact that some lakes have signs saying it is not allowed to clean fish at the lake and or leave the entrails in the water . Which yes , makes no sense .

[Knocker of rocks]

Perhaps the op is referencing the fact that some lakes have signs saying it is not allowed to clean fish at the lake and or leave the entrails in the water . Which yes , makes no sense .

Depends on the lake.   Would make sence for Green Lake and other heavy use lakes.

[BigGoonTuna]

could've come from oregon's regs, they have(or had) a rule in effect about tossing guts back in the river.

this thread reminds me of every time i've had someone tell me that corn is illegal to use for bait, or my favorite, the snaggers on the skokomish that would say it's illegal for me to toss a #4 vibrax for coho, because of the "non buoyant lure restriction"(that just meant you couldn't use treble hooks on anything that sank).