Cleaned Fish

[WannaFish]

I have been told that after catching and cleaning fish in some Alaskan streams, you are required to return all left over remains (head bones skin ect) to the river. Is this ture? If so, why? Also, why does this not happen-at least not by most fishermen- on the PM?

[Steeldrifter]

I have no idea if its true for alaska or not but if it is i'd venture a guess to say maybe it has to do with attracting bears by leaving it on the shore or in camp.

Far as the PM i dont know about anyone else but i certianly wouldnt want to see a bunch of fish guts and bones floating down the river towards me :eek: ;)

SD

[FishMichv2]

i dont know if it is true but i will write what i have heard. in alaska, the salmon are a natural part of the ecosystem and the river and its other native inhabitants need the nutrients given off by the decaying fish. here in the great lakes where the fish are not native, it is not neccesary to do so. i assume the bears have something to do with it as well. ~Bill

[speyday]

Yes, youre right. In AK, the streams, although cool, clear, and free are weeds are pretty, they are also quite "sterile" and the little food and nutrients to keep insect life and other acqatic biomass going is the decomposition of salmon.

In fact, there are projects where dead salmon are loaded into trucks, and volunteers actually transport them to other rivers that need the "help"....ewwww! Talk about a stink wagon!!!

Our midwestern streams are extreemely fertile (some almost "too" fertile) and don't really need any help in that regard.

speyday

[Steeldrifter]

Ya know now that you mention it i remember seeing a show on DISC i think were they loaded up a net under a helicopter and dropped a bunch of dead salmon in the river in Alaska. wierd at best :eek:

[mcflyfisher]

I seem to remember that in MI it is unlawful to leave fish waste with in a certain distance of the water, and certainly not in the water. I may have this mixed up with the law in Canada, but I do remember this being written somewhere. I am a strict C and R guy, so this is not a law I need to remember, so it is a little fuzzy.

[Steve@BBT]

It IS unlawful and I wish more people would read the regs!! :mad:

Steve