Is it legal to clean fish in public? It seems like I read/heard somewhere, where it was illegal. My buddy cleans them in public and says it legal. Thanks in Advance...

where exactly in public are you talking about?

Legal. If it wasn't, then why all the fish cleaning stations at state parks?

my buddy seems to think its ok to do it at a boatramp with people coming and going...

while maybe not ethical, I think it is legal

Maybe not very nice but yes it is legal.

Cleaning and tossing fish leftovers at the boat ramp, while not illegagal, might certainly get you more than you bargained for!

As long as it isn't interferring with folks launching their boats, there isn't any problem. In fact on Richland-Chambers, the ramp we go out from has a fish cleaning station just off to the left of the ramp as you are looking out at the lake, or at least it did have. One of the guides that advertises on here and participates on this forum, does or did live there.

this is what TPWD says...

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Can you clean fish that you have caught while you are still on the water in your boat?

It is unlawful to clean (remove the head, tail, fillet) your catch of fish until the fish is finally landed on the mainland (not including piers, jetties) and no longer transported by boat.

I was told that you couldn't throw the remains (skin, head & guts) back in the lake after cleaning the fish but this must not be true since I see a lot of cleaning stations over the water on docks.

The fish cleaning station at Brownwood State Park emties right into the lake. It's legal!

It is legal to throw remains in the lake.

They're a lot less obnoxious thrown back into the lake for the turtles, crawfish, catfsh, etc. to eat than to set stinking up on the bank or in a sun baked trash can. Sort of natures recycling bin when you put em back in the lake. I do not recommend dumping them in right at a boat ramp because they tend to wash up on the ramp. Same thing at a swimming area, but most anywhere else in the lake should be fine. Some great catfishing under fish cleaning stations.

Kingdad has it right...no cleaning fish from a boat while on the water. We always put the scrap's in a bucket and motor out to deep water and dump, rather than have it all wash back up on shore and cause an odor and fly problem.

in public yes in your boat no you must not "clean" fish while your still out on the water. this may be where the confusion started.