Not sure...

[cantcatchfish]

When you catch an undersized fish and it dies before you put back in the water what are you supposed to do?

[Ed5W]

You put it back in the water!!!

Imagine how many under size fish would mysteriously die if that was not the law and you could keep dead size under fish.

The worms, bugs, turtles, and other creatures will take care of it.

[meddle]

put it back in the water. you would be busted as the warden would not be able to tell what really happened. all he sees is a dead undersized fish.

meddle

[Muskie Nut]

put it back in the water. you would be busted as the warden would not be able to tell what really happened. all he sees is a dead undersized fish.

meddle

And all you would see is a huge fine leveled at you. Do your very best to release them alive. If they die, that part of the sport. But keeping a short fish is a bad thing for you and your wallet.