Do you really think that by changing the law to read that the fish has to be left in the water that the people who mishandle the fish will change their ways - come on lets get real.

From memory - the rules for catching salmon say that if you are going to release a king salmon the salmon must be left in the water - do you think that happens?

I saw tons of people pick up fish and then throw them into the water - I even saw a girl release a pink after she ripped the spinner from it's gills - she dropped it on the bank, stepped on it, then ripped the treble hook out of it's gills...then she kicked it back in the water and nudged it with her boot to git it swimming downstream (might have been illegal - but when it went past my son he asked if we could take it home - and we did as part of our limit).

Just because we have rules and laws won't make those who disrespect the animals and wilderness change thier ways.

If I am not mistaken, it is illegal to litter on public ground in Washington - I have never witnessed such a state where littering on public ground occurs. Maybe we should make some more laws that are not enforced regarding litter too?