Really? If you don't know that your example is poaching you shouldn't be on the water. Wilds go back. No question.
I was wondering if anyone was going to comment on that...
Lets just say I don't want a $500 fine, no matter what the ethics are behind it. Not to mention potentially having your vehicle and gear seized.
Grabbing a fish that fell off your hook is a lot different (once again) than trying to explain to a CO why you have a wild fish fish in your possession.
I'v had to release a couple bleeders over the years, just something you have to do. Death happens naturally on the systems, a bear or something would have gotten it.