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Mouth Closed, Tail Pinched

crappie on a bump board
Crappie on a bump board. Photo by Daryl Bauer.

By Daryl Bauer

I see and hear a lot of comments about measuring the length of a fish. Just want to say this is the most correct way:

  1. Lay the fish on its side with its mouth closed and its tail lobes pressed together.

  2. Measure the length from the tip of the snow to the end of the tail (do not follow the contours of the fish).

Now, you can measure your fish any way you want.  Make up any story you want.  We all do!  However, keep in mind, when length limits are involved, for legal purposes, there is a right way and you need to know it.  Pointy-headed fish biologists call it “total length”.

Will also say that “bump boards” work best.  Make sure to get them wet before putting the fish on them!