I was out fishing with my neighbor at his ranch when we started asking ourselves what a GW would say if we got pulled over with 50 undersized bass we culled out of his private ponds on his ranch. I had no answer. So how would the GW know where we got the fish/how could we prove it if asked. What about fileted bass, we would have well over 2x the daily limit. Anyone have experience with this?

No one?

I move fish from private ranches and fish hatchery's to private ranches in fish hauling trucks and have never been stopped by a GW. It rarely happens. I know your question is a hypothetical question, but I'm sure it comes down to common sense from a GW and a feel of the situation. If he felt they were moved from public water he might dive deeper into your story.

Good Question!

Something I worked to change many years ago. At one time you would have been in violation of fish and game laws with the possibility of a world of hurt coming down on you.

Nowadays, it is legal to not only transfer, but to sell, swap, trade, whatever, the fish (and specifically bass) from one private fishery to another.

Saying that, I have yet to have any situation where I had too much documentation. Some photographic evidence of one sort or another, if just cell phone pics of the fish and a background and location where caught. When we've done a big fish move using electrofishing, nets, traps or other commercial gear for hire or for a customer, we will have a lot of papers with things like invoices, signatures, bills of lading, etc.

I know you won't hardly find anybody more skeptical than a game warden......but if you have the right documentation, they'll send you on your way with a "good day and good luck."

But it is legal to both transfer the live fish or sell them (for stocking only) or to have your own fillets from fish caught on private waters.

Even with the new zebra mussel laws?

That may be a monkey wrench in the works....not real sure to be quite honest.

I do know that making laws against things like tilapia and zebra mussels works every bit as good as doing the same for fire ants....

As long as your not relatively close to a public lake you should be fine. Plus any game warden with common sense knows your not going to pull 50 unders out of a public spot.

Interesting...better have a good story if that day comes!!