Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: birddogdad on March 14, 2024, 10:30:24 AM

Title: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: birddogdad on March 14, 2024, 10:30:24 AM: I have always wondered how you can process (fillet) your fish on the boat and put on ice before returning to dock and still be able to prove "legal length" if stopped. I see pictures on various sites of guys with fillets in hand out in the sound... i always come in "whole". Am i missing something in the regs or what? Anyone with real world experience here? are they saving carcases on board too?
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: metlhead on March 14, 2024, 10:37:40 AM: I believe it is illegal. Regs state fish must be completely identifiable until you park your boat and are done for the day. I wouldn't risk it.
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: birddogdad on March 14, 2024, 01:35:29 PM: Quote from: metlhead on March 14, 2024, 10:37:40 AM
I believe it is illegal. Regs state fish must be completely identifiable until you park your boat and are done for the day. I wouldn't risk it.

yeah i was looking for that passage in the regs and cant find that..
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: MooseStock on March 14, 2024, 01:42:48 PM: Yea...it was illegal years ago when there were no restrictions on keeping wild fish...in this day and age they would ticket you for sure...
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: fishngamereaper on March 14, 2024, 01:45:03 PM: Quote from: birddogdad on March 14, 2024, 01:35:29 PM
Quote from: metlhead on March 14, 2024, 10:37:40 AM
I believe it is illegal. Regs state fish must be completely identifiable until you park your boat and are done for the day. I wouldn't risk it.

yeah i was looking for that passage in the regs and cant find that..

General rules.

I wouldn't chance it with salmon. Not these days.
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: jeffro on March 14, 2024, 01:47:00 PM: I always bleed or gut mine immediately
Fillet them when it’s slow
Always keep the carcasses in case I get boarded
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: birddogdad on March 14, 2024, 01:48:17 PM: Quote from: jeffro on March 14, 2024, 01:47:00 PM
I always bleed or gut mine immediately
Fillet them when it’s slow
Always keep the carcasses in case I get boarded

yup found the passage in regs.. posted above finally!!! TY
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: Caseyd on March 14, 2024, 03:16:50 PM: Quote from: jeffro on March 14, 2024, 01:47:00 PM
I always bleed or gut mine immediately
Fillet them when it’s slow
Always keep the carcasses in case I get boarded

If they want to dig thru the fish head soup material and crab bait then have at it :chuckle:

:yeah: Has always been a non issue
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: Blacklab on March 14, 2024, 04:29:03 PM: Personally, I just bleed them out in a water bucket. Ten or so minutes later I throw them on ice. Till I get home. Never gut them anymore unless they’re a hen. :twocents:
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: Born2late on March 14, 2024, 05:35:53 PM: I would bet they will ticket you if stopped and they are separated.
We had something somewhat similar for deer happen. Proof of sex and species in a bag with the meat, wardens wrote tickets to my cousin and uncle and threaten to write them for the 3 kids.they said it must be a attached to some meat. This was in Idaho 2 years ago. Same type of thing, if there is a opportunity to tickets you they will
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: metlhead on March 14, 2024, 05:41:09 PM: My fish get filleted at home. Got a very large comost pile and fish are beneficial. Actually went round and rount with a gamie at the Blue Creek launch over a 5lb hatchery winter run. I cleaned it above the ramp and heaved the carcass way out. I was done for the day with the boat on the trailer when he checked. He wasn't concerned with state law, only his. I eventually produced a timed photo of the catch showing no adipose and told him to suck a Matt Lauer. That really set him off and I just hopped in the rig and drove off. Good thing he chose not to follow cuz those days I wasn't in a gooder state of mind.
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: jamesfromseattle on March 14, 2024, 08:44:55 PM: Quote from: Born2late on March 14, 2024, 05:35:53 PM
I would bet they will ticket you if stopped and they are separated.
We had something somewhat similar for deer happen. Proof of sex and species in a bag with the meat, wardens wrote tickets to my cousin and uncle and threaten to write them for the 3 kids.they said it must be a attached to some meat. This was in Idaho 2 years ago. Same type of thing, if there is a opportunity to tickets you they will

They will indeed ticket you. I got dinged for this a few year ago, not realizing it was illegal. I was done fishing for the day and just floating around a mile or two from the dock to clean the fish when they stopped, but this counts as "in the field." Seemed pretty chippy, but the rule is the rule, I guess.
Title: Re: salmon fillet while fishing question.
Post by: allen on March 15, 2024, 08:36:31 PM: I had always thought that rule was in effect to allow guides to filet fish for customers when done fishing and at the landing. As for me I filet at home where I know the water is clean, I can save the cheeks, the collars for smoking & the spine to cook up & peel off the meat (always a bowl full)