Just wondering/Legal question

[ron1]

If you catch a LEGAL 10 inch smallmouth in Elkhorn creek, and want to put it in a fish tank, but for some reason are "caught" with this fish later(in your tank), can KDFWR ticket you?

And for all you purists, don't go balistic, this is purely a hypothetical question. How could you prove that you caught the fish legally (in Elkhorn), instead of illegally somewhere else?

[zx150]

I think you have to get a special permit to keep a game fish in a tank, unless they have changed the law. It does not matter what size it is.

[redneckshadrap]

Slot limit on the Elkhron is 12-16...You can keep your creel limit for anything under 12(not including) and 2 over 16(not including) if you desire...All the others(12-16) will be turned loose. If any of us catch your taking illegal fish we will report and won't think twice about it.

Billy


Redneckshadrap
www.thecreekbank.com
[email protected]

[steve604]

Geez, Remind me to never ask you guys if you have a good recipe for a 10 pound large mouth! ROFLMAO! :):):)

[yogio]

You can keep a legal sized, legally caught bass in a home fish aquarium without any permits etc. in the state of KY. In a apporiately sized and aerated tank, both large and small mouth bass will do fine.

[HPDI]

Why so threatening? The guy just asked about a legal to keep 10 inch fish. Now, I do not know about the legality of keeping it in a tank, but you just seem to want to stir up a problem with the tone of your response. James.

[redneckshadrap]

James,
Not trying to stir or threaten. Just stating the "fact". You can keep fish under 12 inches in Elkhorn Creek. But that is a good question of getting caught with one at your home.

Redneckshadrap
www.thecreekbank.com
[email protected]

[MASBASS]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jun-26-06 AT 01:35PM (EST)[/font][p]I am not sure about now, but at one time you had to have a permit to keep any wildlife. A friend of mine use to keep a lot of large fish tanks. He had one that he established and he called it his KENTUCKY TANK. He kept several different types of fish he had caught himself in it. This tank was huge, I do not remember it seems like it was a 200 gallon. It had a smallmouth in it, he had that fish for several years, until he turned it loose. I remember he also had to obtain a permit from the state to have the fish in the tank. I do not if you can or still have to get the permit but a one time you had too, according to him.

[redneckshadrap]

They "tank" fish out at the Hatchery in the info center. But that's out there...

I tried to call and ask but got a voice message..

Billy


Redneckshadrap
www.thecreekbank.com
[email protected]

[ron1]

OK guys, remember this was a completely HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION for those of you ready to put my mugshot on the post office wall. I was just having an argument with a guy about this possible scenario and was wondering what you guys thought

It is legal to keep any KY game fish in a tank(withou a permit) as long as it was taken legally and was of legal size. So, if the smallie was taken legally and was of legal size (from Elkhorn slot limit) haw could you prove that if you where turned in later?

[clintcone]

Assuming your premises are correct...
1) The 10" Smallmouth is legal to keep from the Elkhorn
2) You may keep in a tank any legally caught gamefish in KY...

(I'm not certain if those are correct, but your premise also works in the context of living near Cumberland and keeping a 15" Smallmouth from some local creek, since Cumberland has an 18" limit)


Your Question:
How do I prove that I caught my 10" smallmouth in a place where it is legal?


The legal system doesn't ask you to prove you caught it legally. The legal system tells the authorities to prove you did not. So it is not on you to somehow prove you caught your fish from the Elkhorn, it is on the authorities to prove you did not.

CC

[Guest Author]

Ron1, What ever the state limit in your county you live in where the fish is in your possesion at the time you are questioned. But if you thinking of keeping a smallmouth in a tank, it will be very hard to keep it alive, as they need fresh flowing water and cool temps. Bluegill make great tank fish...good luck.