Was fishing on the green yesterday caught 2 fish a native and hatchery. Released the native of course unharmed. I bonked the hatchery it was quite dark when I gutted him the meat was totally white (not a good feeling, bad fishing karma). What is the best way to determine if fish is not suitable to keep. Is it just experinece have kept fish that were slightly dark that where fine.

Thanks in advance

The best for this situation is trial & err.
Also known as experience.It is some times real hard to determine whether to bonk or not to bonk a darker shade of hatchery fish.
Getting caught up in the moment is hard to stay away from.If the fish is leaking or singaling eggs release it,if the fish is milking release it.If the fish has already done it's thing release it.Other then that look for the belly to be light grey towhite for best quality.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Don't worry about it smoke the fish up with as mych seasoning as you can stand. The fish god's will smile on you from removing the hatchery fish from the system.

This time of year it is better to get that thing out of the system so that it doesn't spawn with the Nates. I usually bonk all of the hatchery fish and give them away or smoke them if the meet doesn't look good.

As for knowing when to keep or release a dark fish, your guess is as good as anyone elses. I have caught chrome bright hens that had soft, white, crappy meat and dark bucks that were perfect.

Rule of thumb; if you can't pick a scale out with your finger nail, the fish is not good to eat (this means smoking too).

I'd agree with Vic ... no harm done in removing the fish even if if it wasn't fit to eat. We should do what we can to keep the Chambers Creek stock from possibly cross-breeding.

Ther is no definate answer to your questions though ... but always keep in mind that colored bucks will generally still be better eating than a hen with any hint of color. Experience will tell you ... glad it was a brat to learn with this time

Fins can be a good indicator, as soon as they show grey or black, it's probably a little too late ...

I'd agree with Vic and Bob; whack all hatchery fish. The Green's native stock is pretty well shot by now, much like the lower Sky (due to hatchery in-breeding), but many other area rivers still have intact native genetic units. For that reason I'd fully advocate bonking the fin-less ones, expecially this time of year, with C&R of everything else.