Limit question

[FishfulThinkin]

That scenario applies to more than just a Laker at the Gorge. If you fill your limit of any species and continue to fish, there is always that chance that you kill or cripple a fish and then comes the ethical and legal dilemma. I have seen so many slot cuts scooped up by pelicans at the Berry because of improper release techniques or handling the fish too hard, or keeping it out of the water too long, or sometimes it just happens that the fish stays on the surface. I saw a small Kokanee swimming circles on the surface of Jordanelle just this past Saturday that someone had "released" probably due to size. I was raised to believe that you eat what you kill so leaving a crippled fish to waste is an ethical dilemma for me. However, I was also raised to honor and sustain the law so I believe in that also. These 2 things clash in the scenario you presented. To answer your question, from a legal and law enforcement standpoint if you are stopped and have over your limit of fish you should and probably will receive a citation no matter what your story. To prevent this possibility one thing I have done if I want to continue to fish is to stop one shy of the limit so in the event I do cripple a fish, I don't have a problem.

Wounded and dying Cuts at the berry are not an ethical or moral problem, they are a direct result of the slot limit that requires release regardless of condition. When you are required to release fish after fish because of a slot liimit you meet that requirement over and over again and eventually care less about mortality.

Whether or not you agree with the management plan at Strawberry is not the point. If you catch a slot cut at Strawberry, you are required by law  to release it unharmed. You also have an ethical responsibility to do so in a manner that does not injure or kill the fish. I recognize that there is some mortality on released trout no matter what, but I am referring to people who intentionally harm fish out of frustration or carelessness. I have witnessed people throw a fish several feet in the air to release it and seem to be taking out their frustrations on the fish. Not cool. I know there are some including on this forum who disagree with the management plan at Strawberry but killing all the slot cuts possible is not the way to address that.