Do Freezer Fish Count Toward My Possession Limit?

June 10, 2010

Question: I recently purchased a sport fisher that I hope to use fishing. It has a very good freezer on board and a friend has stored some yellowtail and yellowfin tuna he caught in Mexico in it. This fish was processed and packaged for freezing in convenient meal-size portions before he returned from Mexico. Do I need to remove this fish if I am using the boat for fishing? (Dave N.)

Answer: In California waters, Fish and Game Code sections 5508 and 5509 state you may not possess fish on a boat or bring ashore fish to a California port unless the size and species can be determined. Returning to California waters or landing in a California port with fish in the condition you describe would not be legal because the fish would not meet those criteria. Section 1.17 of the California Code of Regulations provides that bag and possession limits apply whether your fish are fresh, frozen or otherwise preserved.