DES MOINES - Anglers fishing Iowa waters are no longer allowed to sort through their catch to release smaller fish when a larger fish is caught. The practice, called culling, is now illegal, except for permitted bass fishing tournaments. This is a law new in 2005.

"Fish that have been held for a period of time on a stringer, in a fish basket, bucket or even many live wells do not all survive after being released back into the water," said Marion Conover, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources fisheries bureau. "By not allowing this practice, we hope to reduce fish mortality."

The new law says that any fish taking into possession by holding in a live well, on a stringer, or in other fish holding devices is part of the daily bag limit.

Fish may be released from possession so long as they are not replaced.

"For example, in my estimation, eight panfish makes a nice meal. If I catch and keep two bluegills, but can't catch anymore, it is okay for me to release these fish rather than to clean only two. But it is illegal for me to sort and replace fish in order to upgrade the size of the fish in my possession," he said.

The law also says that once the daily bag limit of a particular species is reached, fishing for that species can continue, as long as all the fish of that species caught are immediately released.

Anglers can pick up a copy of the 2005 Iowa Fishing Regulations booklet highlighting the new regulations, the fishing seasons and other information at Iowa DNR offices and wherever licenses are sold.

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