We are coming down for a long weekend with 10 people and are going to targeting bass and crappie. We are a catch and release crew for bass, but sure do like a mess of Crappie. We are staying at Island Cove and they do not have any Fish Cleaning Station. I know that we could clean the fish on the lake, but I believe that doing so is illegal. Are there any places we can clean our Crappie that anyone would recommend?
Fish Cleaning Stations
- Thread starter rshaines
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mjwendorf
Well-known member
Tailgate of the truck?
HunterDuck25
Well-known member
My grandfather use to clean rock fish at the car wash. I'm sure who ever emptied the trash cans loved it. Emolaugh
lafae7
Well-known member
I'm interested... Is it really illegal? Emopolice I don't see any difference in someone cutting up shad on their boat to fish for catfish.
sdfd29
Well-known member
It is illegal to alter fish while on the water. Look at Page 47 of the Fishing Guide https://issuu.com/thebinghamgroup/docs/twra_fishing_guide_2016/1 item #3 at the bottom of the page.
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rsimms
Well-known member
As to the "cleaning on the water" question, game wardens are going to use common sense. They are pretty darn good at discerning "intent."
If you are fileting fish on a boat in Opossum Creek, and you're staying at Island Cove .... yea, cleaning fish on the boat would likely be a problem. You are clearly "still afield."
But if you're sitting inside or near the marina fileting fish, with your cabin (or hotel) in sight, and you have clearly wrapped up fishing... rods stowed, nobody sitting there casting, etc., chances are you're OK. You are not really "afield" anymore. A game warden has to be able to convince a judge that your "intent" was to break the law. If you are clearly done being "afield," no problem. Your attitude and demeanor is going to mean just as much as your location.
As to cleaning fish at the boat ramp, I don't have a problem with that. I simply ask that you take the time to haul the leftovers out in the water far from the ramp proper. emoThanks
I also wish some marina(s) would build fish cleaning stations. I frequently have clients ask about this. See <a href=http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=87814&posts=2&start=1>this thread.</a>
If you are fileting fish on a boat in Opossum Creek, and you're staying at Island Cove .... yea, cleaning fish on the boat would likely be a problem. You are clearly "still afield."
But if you're sitting inside or near the marina fileting fish, with your cabin (or hotel) in sight, and you have clearly wrapped up fishing... rods stowed, nobody sitting there casting, etc., chances are you're OK. You are not really "afield" anymore. A game warden has to be able to convince a judge that your "intent" was to break the law. If you are clearly done being "afield," no problem. Your attitude and demeanor is going to mean just as much as your location.
As to cleaning fish at the boat ramp, I don't have a problem with that. I simply ask that you take the time to haul the leftovers out in the water far from the ramp proper. emoThanks
I also wish some marina(s) would build fish cleaning stations. I frequently have clients ask about this. See <a href=http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=87814&posts=2&start=1>this thread.</a>
SpurHunter
Well-known member
Related but not an answer to your question.
I was once yelled at for dumping fish guts, etc into a flowing creek after cleaning a mess. This makes no sense to me, why would anyone want to send this biodegradable food-source into the landfill instead of feeding fish, turtles, crayfish, etc? As long as your not polluting a recreational area, or stagnant water, (ie. boat ramp) get those scraps back where they belong to feed the fish.
I was once yelled at for dumping fish guts, etc into a flowing creek after cleaning a mess. This makes no sense to me, why would anyone want to send this biodegradable food-source into the landfill instead of feeding fish, turtles, crayfish, etc? As long as your not polluting a recreational area, or stagnant water, (ie. boat ramp) get those scraps back where they belong to feed the fish.
