legal or not?

[passing-thru]

Some out of town friends are coming in morning to fish sturgeon opener with me. Work.wondering if it is legal to fillet a sturgeon if carcass is retained for proof of size? They have never eaten and want to cook some up for lunch (provided we catch one)    anyone have idea?

[Boss .300 winmag]

Just fillet one side.

[passing-thru]

Ty BOSS that's great idea 

[buglebuster]

Fillet and release 







JUST KIDDING!
I would think if the carcass was retained and punch card marked you would be good to go.

[bloodhound]

i believe the rule was that you had to dispose of all fish left overs on shore. they cant be thrown in the water. trash can only. i would think you could filet it all you want as long as the length of the fish is in tact till you hit shore. but don't quote me to a warden. 

[cohoho]

With Sturgeon, I sometime make all cuts on the fish length wise down so the fillet is attached, but with the front and rear still connected.  As soon as I get to dock two simple cuts fillets is released.  Had checkers and warden check fish and never a problem, but I am sure there is one that will disagree sooner or later...

[buckhorn2]

The warden told us in the ocean any fish with a size limit you have to leave intact until at the dock but fish like bass with no size limit can be filleted thats why the charters can do the bass but have to do lingcod at the dock. Don;t know about in the river.