Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Fertilization fish guts back into the pond?

I have been trying to get an answer to this question for nearly 60 years.

Growing up in Wisconsin and Minnesota, it was (still is) illegal to put fish guts back in the water. This is from the Wisconsin DNR fishing regulations:

It is illegal to:

• to deposit fish carcasses or parts, including entrails or other waste, into Wisconsin waters or on the bank or shore of any water.

When I've fished at the ocean, especially on piers, all the fish guts go back in the water. When I first came to Virginia, I was taught to put the fish guts back in the rivers where we fished for bluegill and small mouth. It was to feed the catfish.

In Washington state I remember that they encouraged campers to dispose of fish guts back in the water to keep varmints and bears from coming into camp.

So, we are still no closer to an answer, but . . .