While i agree it could be illegal i have yet to see a gamer enforce it. I have seen on the other hand tickets issued for the retention of foul hooked fish. Ive also heard the officer say "why did you keep that one, because a few fish ago you had one hooked near the mouth which was legal...." He was talking to the guy he had night scoped on the Kalama in the bushes while this guy was catching and releasing fish untill he was ready to go home and kept the next fish, that happened to be foul hooked, hence the ticket because he bonked it and left. I believe this ticket was $400 some odd dollars. So either its up to the descretion of the officer or its legal as long as you do not retain a snagged fish or the officers are ignorant of the law?
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If that fish would have kept his mouth shut, you wouldnt be eating it.