02-29-2008, 06:06 PM
[cool][#0000ff]It is generally preferred (from an esthetics standpoint) that anglers use the cleaning stations (when open). Most of them have high powered disposal grinders to do away with the remnants and to put them into either a holding tank or the sewer system. If the grinders are not working (not uncommon) then bag the remains and put them in a garbage can. There are usually covered cans with plastic liners next to a cleaning station.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Not recommended to leave dead fish or fish parts on the ice. Could be ticketed for wasting resources if the fish are game fish. Littering if not. However, on many lakes the cleanup crew (crows, gulls, eagles, hawks and coyotes) takes care of a lot of the fish leavins. In fact sometimes they do not even wait for you to abandon stuff, but raid your catch while you are inside your tent or far enough away that they can stage a hit and run raid. It's kinda cool sometimes to sacrifice a trout to an eagle. Not so cool if it's a big trout and a mangy coyote. Beep Beep.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Whether or not it is legal to deposit fish offal back into the lake depends on individual lake regulations. Lakes which serve as municipal water supplies often have restrictions about cleaning fish or leaving trash in or around the lakes. I know of lakes and situations where anglers were ticketed for "gutting and gilling" trout out on the water and then putting the fish in a cooler...tossing the "remnants" in the lake while being observed through binoculars by rangers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Ecologically, putting fish parts back in the lake is not bad. Most lakes (not Jordanelle) have crawdads in the ecosystem and "leftovers" are not left intact very long. Those mudbugs swarm over dead fish or fish parts and they disappear back into the food chain quickly. Many fish species will also chew on fresh dead fish bits. Yum.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you plan to "feed the 'dads", it is better to scatter the fish cleanings in shallower water. That's where most of them hang out, especially in warmer weather. During the winter they may migrate out to much deeper water too. And, in shallower water the gulls might even get to the good stuff before the crawdads eat it all. Our state birds are aggressive and efficient scavengers. "Dump chickens"[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Not recommended to leave dead fish or fish parts on the ice. Could be ticketed for wasting resources if the fish are game fish. Littering if not. However, on many lakes the cleanup crew (crows, gulls, eagles, hawks and coyotes) takes care of a lot of the fish leavins. In fact sometimes they do not even wait for you to abandon stuff, but raid your catch while you are inside your tent or far enough away that they can stage a hit and run raid. It's kinda cool sometimes to sacrifice a trout to an eagle. Not so cool if it's a big trout and a mangy coyote. Beep Beep.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Whether or not it is legal to deposit fish offal back into the lake depends on individual lake regulations. Lakes which serve as municipal water supplies often have restrictions about cleaning fish or leaving trash in or around the lakes. I know of lakes and situations where anglers were ticketed for "gutting and gilling" trout out on the water and then putting the fish in a cooler...tossing the "remnants" in the lake while being observed through binoculars by rangers.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Ecologically, putting fish parts back in the lake is not bad. Most lakes (not Jordanelle) have crawdads in the ecosystem and "leftovers" are not left intact very long. Those mudbugs swarm over dead fish or fish parts and they disappear back into the food chain quickly. Many fish species will also chew on fresh dead fish bits. Yum.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you plan to "feed the 'dads", it is better to scatter the fish cleanings in shallower water. That's where most of them hang out, especially in warmer weather. During the winter they may migrate out to much deeper water too. And, in shallower water the gulls might even get to the good stuff before the crawdads eat it all. Our state birds are aggressive and efficient scavengers. "Dump chickens"[/#0000ff]
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