Can I Give Fish Away to Friends and Family?

January 14, 2010

Question: Can I give fish away to friends and family? If so, do they need to have a fishing license for me to give it to them? (James M.)

Answer: Yes, you can give fish away. Though you can only take one daily bag limit per day, you can give that limit away so that you can go fishing another day and not be in violation of the overall possession limit. The recipient of your fish does not need to have a fishing license, but also may not possess more than the legal limit at any time.

Remember one important fact: Though your friends are allowed to possess fish without a license, if they are out in a boat or in the field and have access to fishing equipment, this is prima facie evidence they took the fish themselves, so make sure the fish are taken home and you are not out in the field or coming in from fishing when you give your fish to an unlicensed person. Possession of fish and equipment used to take fish when out in the field or coming back from a fishing trip is evidence that person was fishing and they may be cited for not having a license (FGC, section 2000).