Question about the regs. If a pike takes my fish and i net it can i keep it?

[seabast]

See pg#8 of the 2015 regs....
catch a fish by impaling or snagging it with a hook through any part of the body OTHER THAN ITS MOUTH must be released immediately....key words OTHER THAN ITS MOUTH

I know about pg#8, but what about when it is not hooked at all, and just hold on your bait?

[flowerjohn]

The way I read the reg is that the only way you can keep a fish is to hook it through the mouth during open season.

[Woodsman]

No where in the regs does it state a fish must have a hook in the mouth.
Only the fish can be hooked no other place than the mouth.
The definition of "angling" in the regs doesn't included the need for a hook.
Some fish are legally targeted without using hooks.
For example yarn balls for smelt & worm balls for bullheads.

[seabast]

Waiting the answer form the MNR, but I really think they don't really know....

[greatwhite]

I would go with Woodsman on this. I would keep the fish, this seems to be a gray area.

[JBen]

ok, here's a question.

1) A small lunge that may or may not be of legal size takes your "bait".
2) A much larger lunge in turn, hammers your smaller lunge.

You land both.
Your daily possession limit or your conservation liscence says one or both must be released immediately.

The smaller lunge is ripped to shreds, no way it will make it.
The larger lunge, which hit the smaller lunge will.

To me anyways, while there doesn't really seem to anything in the regs that's black or white (Sunfish being a gamefish, but if its 30 feet from the boat and 10under the surface, how would you know until it was brought in), the definition of angling, and the various legal ways to "angle" would seem to suggest.

The second incidental fish, wouldn't fall under them and should be returned.

[jimmer]

So is gar fishing with yarn/rope illegal as there is no hooks used, as well as worm balls in pantyhose without hooks for bullheads?
John

Neither are a game fish.

[Woodsman]

Neither are a game fish.

And what is game fish?
The regs doesn't define or specify this term.

[phoenix]

Neither are a game fish.

True, but I dont think it matters as the regs dont stipulate they only apply to game fish.

Seems like a grey area they overlooked but for the amount of times it could actually happen its probably not a big deal. Most fish would take off once the net hits the water anyways.

[sprocketman25]

Sorry can't use game fish as bait and That is what the situation was you have to Hook the quarry you are after in the mouth with a hook to be legal