typically anyone in the boat with gear they ask to see. we all get our licenses so we are covered. we usually just hand em to the dnr officer and he checks quick. takes a look at the fish. measures some if they appear to be small. then we go on our way. we make sure all our fish are legal to keep. any questions in length being too short? throw it back in water. we dont risk taking illegal fish. not when you are in a nice tracker that they would love to auction off for funds since they will sieze for poaching lol, as well as all of your gear