Ask a Conservation Officer:

[Lee Borgersen]

 Ask a Conservation Officer:

  Is there a 'gray area' for measuring fish?

Q: Is there a "gray area" or courtesy consideration given when measuring fish on a lake or river with special regulations? Could I really get a ticket for a fish that is one-eighth of an inch too short?

A: Special regulations waters and length limits on fish are put in place to improve the population and size structure of that species of fish. When a regulation states a minimum size for a fish to be reduced to possession, such as the 15-inch minimum size limit on walleyes on the St. Louis River, it means 15 inches. Not a little less; not "close." If a quarter-inch "grace period" was given on this sort of regulation, the de facto size limit would become 14.75 inches instead of the actual 15-inch regulation.


For a comparison, look at speed limits on highways. When actual speed limits are not regularly enforced, the reality is that traffic starts to move faster and follow what is enforced, not written.

For best results, use a metal tape measure or hard-surfaced measuring board; cloth and cheap measuring tapes or stickers can shrink and give inaccurate lengths.