Catch and Cook

March 28 2019

Question: I have some questions on “catch and cook.” If we are on an overnight fishing trip and want to cook what we’ve caught, is it legal for us to do so? Is catch and cook legal? If so, how do I show that the fish (if it’s a species with a size limit) that I’m cooking is of legal size?

I spoke to some CDFW officials who told me that it is okay to cook our catch as long as they are fish that have no size limits. They also told me that for the species that do have size limits, we just need to keep a picture or video of the fish to show they are of legal size. Is that true? (KACA)

Answer: No, your interpretation is not correct. It is unlawful to possess either on a boat or to bring ashore any fish in such a condition that its size, weight or species cannot be determined (Fish and Game Code, sections 5508-5509). You must keep them in an identifiable condition until they have been prepared for immediate consumption.

The law is not intended to prevent anglers from eating their legal catch as this is fairly common on boats with cooking facilities, such as houseboats on lakes and larger boats at sea. You should only clean your catch immediately before it is eaten, and only clean the number of fish/invertebrates you plan to eat during that meal.

There are a number of fillet laws that allow you to clean many ocean finfish species (check the California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 27.65 on page 34 of the ocean regulations booklet.) All fillets must be in the condition listed unless they are being prepared for immediate consumption.

In inland waters, there are no provisions for filleting on a lake/reservoir. The possession of fillets in this situation could only occur if the fish is being prepared for immediate consumption. A photograph or video, just like a retained carcass in a bucket, cannot be established to belong to that specific fish. Remember that daily bag limits always apply whether the fish is on a stringer, in a live well or in your stomach after a meal. If you are at a campground or ashore, you could fillet your fish for cooking.

Showing photos or videos to a wildlife officer to prove what you have filleted will not suffice. If the officer has any questions as to what species the fish is or if they have any reason to believe that it may have been a species with size or species regulations, they will cite you under the two code sections mentioned before. The officers cannot measure a picture or be 100% certain that the photos/videos you provide are the same fish you have already filleted.

Lmao. Good 1

Could he measure it tomorrow after it’s been processed??