stever
6/2/2009 9:13:00 AMSure you can, just leave them in water and cut the line if they're hooked to deep to easily remove the hook.. In fact, I don't even own a "hook remover", just a pair of miniature needle nose pliers and a very sharp pair of minature cutters. If they're lip hooked, just leave them in the water, grab the hook, and they'll come right off. If you can't see the hook, just reach in and cut the line at the mouth. They'll typically do fine, it's the handling that kills them. Plus, it's a great example for the kids that letting most of your fish go to catch another day is better than killing them all, and having nothing to catch tomorrow.
Fishin Musician
6/2/2009 12:30:00 PMdrifter
6/2/2009 12:45:00 PM"If any fish has swallowed the hook or is hooked in the gill, eye, or tongue, it should be kept if legal to do so."
And from Page 3:
"When fishing with bait, all TROUT (except STEELHEAD) equal to or greater than the minimum size are counted as part of the daily limit whether kept or released."