At Bays Edge they zipper the walleye filet.They cut it out but leave the pieces joined at the tail.Not sure but think they charge extra to do it and a little bit of good meat is gone in the process.I always zipper our filets before I vacuum freeze them.I usually zipper them the day after they were caught.That seams to firm up the meat some and is easier to zipper the filet without it breaking in wrong spot.If it does,I just cut it out.Not sure of legal ramifications of transporting walleye filets cut up.