FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 7, 2004
CONTACT: Dale Gates, 223-2700

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota anglers are reminded about specific rules that apply when they are packaging and transporting fish.

Regional Law Enforcement Specialist Dale Gates of Pierre said when anglers clean fish for transport, fillets must be packaged in a manner in which they can be easily counted. "Fish frozen in a block from which they cannot be easily separated is an illegal manner for transportation," he said.

Any fish cleaned and being transported, if frozen, must be packaged individually, Gates advised. A clear plastic freezer bag is a good container for packaging and transporting fillets. Fish placed in public storage must be marked with the owner's name, address, fishing license number, species, number of fish and date placed in storage.

Additionally, when anglers are cleaning and packaging fish, fillets should be kept in one piece. Anglers should also remember that two fillets count as one fish, no matter what the size of the fillet.

The rules for transporting and storing fish are explained on page 37 of the 2004 Fishing Handbook, which is available at licensing agents, Game, Fish and Parks offices and online at www.sdgfp.info.

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