Okie Slab Slaying

[G3Jockey]

That can be a touchy subject helping someone else catch a limit and then catching your own. Most Game Wardens don't like that. But it was a good catch anyway. EB

From the 2011 Oklahoma Fishing Regulations.

It is unlawfull to:

- possess fish, or parts thereof, taken by another person without written information which includes the taker's name, address, license number, date taken and, number and kind of fish, plus name and address of the person receiving those fish.

This is the only thing I can find in the regulation that covers the giving of fish and as it applies to the topic at hand it is very vague at best. I believe it's intent is to insure that the fish were caught by someone with a fishing license. I don't think that the giving of fish between two licensed fishers is covered or regulated at all other than the limit regulation of 37 fish per day per licensed fisherman.

For example, you and a buddy are out on your boat and both of you have your fishing license in good standing. At the end of the day there are 74 fish in your livewell and you each take home the limit of 37 fish. Who's to say who caught which fish? By the same token, you and a buddy are fishing on the bank and at the end of the day there are 74 fish in a basket that you share and you each take home the limit of 37 fish, did you actually catch the 37 that you took home? Who knows, who can say for sure, and why would it matter since you are both licensed by the state?

The only situation in which I would be concerned is in the giving of fish to a person that DOES NOT hold an Oklahoma fishing license in good standing. In this case the person catching the fish is the only licensed party and the 37 fish limit applies. This person could give away, for example, 10 fish and keep 27 thus making his/her limit of 37 fish per day AND that person would have to comply with the regulation quoted above.

So that's how I read it. I always try to comply with all state wildlife laws and regulations.

[Lowellhturner]

Am not sure how the laws read in Oklahoma, but at CJ in Ohio we have a fellow fisherman whom suffered a stroke, his wife still buys his license and they come out during the summer monthes. He doesn`t / isn`t able to catch many, and various persons will drop 1 or 5 or more in his bucket while another chats with Kevin. Asked the head Park Ranger `bout this and his reponse was in Ohio it is legal so long as A- both are licensed, B- between the 2 parties there is no exchange of money or "durable" goods and C- that between the 2 (or more) parties the limit per person of KEPT fish is not exceeded; ie, you can catch every fish in the lake (good luck with that!), but you can only keep a limit on any given day...and am NOT trying to say the same holds true in Oklahoma...

[Lowellhturner]

Forgive the double dip, very nice mess of fish, and a kind jesture...now get to FRYIN` up some FISH!

[G3Jockey]

I did, and they were awesome!!

[Lowellhturner]

So when dinner? And by the way, where is said DELICIOUS look`n dinner being served? YUMM!!!

[keith29]

What was the weather like there? Was you fishing structure or what? Thats a mean looking plate of meat. Makes my mouth water when i think of crappie with a good oh cold bruski, know what i mean. Good job

[skeetbum]

Good mess of fish, and your good works may one day come back to you. Til then you can know you did right when the time came.

[Eager Beaver]

G3: I made a post about the possessions in response to your post. You might ask your local game warden to make sure in your state. Just hate to see anyone get a ticket for not knowing the regs. Good fishing to ya, EB

[Lowellhturner]

Tes1 Good idea! And am sure you`ll keep our dinner safe from all those hungry drool`n dudes!

[NIMROD]

Most folks would do just like you did. But some states will ticket folks for not keeping everyone's fish seperate even in the same boat.