Outdoors: Halibut rules make it more convenient to filet at home

By Carrie Wilson

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Question: Is it true that halibut can only be cleaned once the boat is tied to the dock? If not, can the fillets either just be attached to the skeleton upon coming back to the slip or can fishermen produce the fillets without the skeleton attached? Cleaning and disposing of the halibut innards and skeletons into the water at the harbor creates a major bird problem, and the neighboring sailing and pleasure boaters are quite upset with the bird droppings on their vessels. We just want to be sure we're doing the right thing.

� George J., Newport Beach

Answer: Fish for which there is a size or weight limit may not be possessed on a vessel or brought onshore in such a condition that the size, weight, or species cannot be determined. The Fish and Game Commission has provided exceptions for some species, including California halibut.

Department of Fish & Game biologist Ken Oda holds a halibut caught near Point Arena. (Department of Fish & Game)

California halibut taken from or possessed aboard a boat north of Point Arena (Mendocino County) cannot be filleted at sea. But halibut taken south of Point Arena can be. The fillets must be at least 16� inches, retain the entire skin intact, and the fillet may not be cut into halves. Fillets can, however, be cut lengthwise in a straight line along the midline where the fillet was attached to the backbone of the fish. The two fillet pieces must remain joined along their midline for a length of at least two inches at one end of the fillet (FGC Section 27.65).

Keep in mind that it is difficult to produce a legal fillet (16� inches) from a barely-legal halibut (22 inches total length). Anglers who keep halibut that are 22 to 23 inches might want to keep them whole and fillet them at home. Someone unfamiliar with a fillet knife or who is trying to fillet a barely legal fish on rough seas might not be able to get a legal-sized fillet.

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Q: What are the rules regarding having a non-hunter in my hunting party? Can that person possess a firearm for self defense? Can it be a rifle? In what ways can he participate in the hunt? If he has a hunting license but no tag, does this change anything? If he wants to hunt coyote, for which he does not need a tag, can he also sit in a stand with a deer hunter just to watch before going hunting?

� David V.

A: The basic answers to your questions are that California has no general law regarding who can accompany you while you are hunting or fishing. However, there are some restrictions. According to retired Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Capt. Phil Nelms, California Fish and Game laws regulate who is required to have a valid license while anyone in the part is taking game. The definition of "take" is "to hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill (fish and wildlife)."

So, while DFG laws would not expressly prohibit a non-hunter from carrying a firearm for self-defense, a non-licensed person carrying a firearm (especially a rifle) while accompanying an active hunter could be cited.

Any person who accompanies you while you are taking game must have a license if their actions in any way assist you in your efforts. And if a tag is required for the wildlife being pursued, they must also carry a tag. If the non-hunter behaves in any manner consistent with a hunter, he will likely be cited.

If your guest wants to hunt coyote (which do not require tags) and wants to sit in a deer stand just to watch before moving to his hunting area, he could be cited for being in possession of a firearm.

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Q: I know I can't transport trout alive in my livewell while trolling, but can we keep live fish on a stringer over the side? I fish with my grandsons and am wondering if it is permissible for two people to use the same stringer?

� Dennis J., Loyalton

A: You can keep your fish on stringers to keep them fresh, but those fish all must be rendered to your bag (e.g. you cannot throw them back.) It is recommended � but not required � that you keep your fish on separate stringers.

Wilson works for the Department of Fish and Game. Contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov