troutdude said:
After reading the reg book, I believe that this would only be illegal if he crossed state lines or if he transported it to another body of water and released it there.
From the current reg book PDF version...
It is unlawful to: transport live fish into, within or out of this state; hold any live fish in the waters of this state; or release or attempt to
release any live fish into the waters of this state; except as provided by OAR 635-007-0600(3)(a) for aquaria fish intended for aquaria
use and those holding a valid Fish Transport Permit.
Regs also mention transport within the state, not just into/out of. This I think is a good example of a confusing reg that could stand revision to make it more clear. The way I read it - transporting a live fish without a permit is a no no, period. Getting a cite for it would depend on how the trooper interprets the law, and if cited, how the judge views it also.
Not giving Drew a hard time over this at all - as frankly I don't see a problem with taking home a live fish. My problem would be with someone taking live fish from one body of water and releasing them into another body of water (except private man made ponds). And like I said - myself, and many others of us (especially those who like catfish) have taken live fish home. Catfish don't just die when they're taken out of the water
I've put cats into the bath tub or kitchen sink full of water after they've been out of water for 3-4 hours, and they start swimming around like nothing happened. I secretly think catfish are all Zombies... XD Zombie fishes!