I really have not noticed any shrinkage in the cooler, but if so it would be minimal, certainly not 1 1/8 inches. Legal is 15 inches so you would be more than safe with your 16 1/8 fish.

On one occasion we had a very slow day and kept some 15 in fish. we were checked at the dock by the DNR and they found 1 fish that they said was 1/4 inch short, I disagreed. Funny thing is 2 of them measured that fish 6 times to decide. I ask them to give me a break because if they couldn't decide the measurement on dry land imagine us measuring in 4 ft waves. I lost the argument and paid the fine. I now never keep anything under 16 inches.