Abstract: A fish holding device for culling fish has a forward section with an upper member and a lower member and a spring located therebetween having sufficient biasing force for maintaining the lip of a fish between the ends of the upper and lower member when the holding device is in the closed position. The holding device further comprises a rear section for locking the holding device in the closed position. The rear section is connected to the lower member of the forward section and is rotatable between a non-locking position and a locking position over the upper member of the forward section. When the lip of a fish is secured between the upper and lower members of the forward section the rear section is in position over and secured to the upper member of the forward section, the holding device is locked in place on the fish.