I typically fish in a different neighborhood for each species, so I get around. I have one for gar, one for carp (my gar hood is militantly opposed to non-residents fishing there because that lake is full of footballs, but they let me fish because I take their trash), one for bass, catfish, etc. I run into other fishermen all the time, and aside from a small kid wanting to keep their first fish that's too small, I haven't seen much of anything illegal beyond putting tilapia back, which I admittedly do occasionally.
The first trout stocking happened the day before Thanksgiving, so I've been chasing them almost exclusively at the public park lake. I've been 5 or 6 times since, for only an hour or 2 each time, but EVERY time, I've seen SOMETHING illegal. It's a highly pressured pond, not bigger than 2 acres, and it's pretty standard for there to be 3-5 other guys fishing, mostly for catfish. People fish with 3 or 4 rods (2 rod limit), take more than the limit, and today I saw 2 guys using a casting net. On top of all that, I've spent at least 15 minutes cleaning up trash/discarded line 20 feet from trashcans all but one time, and that's because I was last to leave in the evening and the first there in morning, as I felt like soaking a line before work.
Would you make the call? Given how many disregard regulations and how freely they discuss their violations, I tend to doubt whether or not many of these guys are even licensed.
Several of them are clearly feeding their families, which is where I pause.
What say you?
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by mypostingname13
Turn them all in. Regulations are for everyone's benefit, even those feeding their families.
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by musicofsound
Call the law.
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by donttouchthehelp
Turn them in. What they are doing might seem minimal now, but over time they will be doing more damage to the environment. If they are getting away with it in broad daylight, who knows what they would do if they knew nobody would see them.
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by rb-2008
Absolutely.
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by BoyWonderDownUnder
I advise people that they are breaking the law first, as some people are just ignorant, but if they continue, I call DNR every time. I'm not letting those assbags ruin my fishing spots. Screw them.
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by chitownphishead
Yes make the call. Poaching is unacceptable and it's the responsibility of every angler to make sure it's not happening
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by assassin_erased
Screw them they don’t care about the rules so why should you care if they get fined this sort of crap pisses me off I constantly see the same things a blatant disregard for others. Theres no good reason to go over your limit or to take a fish undersized/oversized using gear or bait you’re it supposed to. Leave trash fish with out a license or break rules in general they are in place for every ones benefit and to insure that there are fish in the water as long as possible. I’d call in a heart beat
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by bilpo
Location?
And rules are for everyone.
Not only make the call but follow up on it and find out what action was taken.
Turn them in! No excuse for this kind of behavior or attitude. Everyone pays the price for their complete lack of consideration.
Rules are for everyone . no exceptions. I would call in a heart beat. Right in front of them ( that's the way I am, plz be safe when you call.). They make all anglers look bad. I'm forever picking up discarded trash , line , etc. When I go fishing.
Bonasa
Loc: Coastal NC (Hampstead)
I agree with all, except for approaching the perps. You never know what you may be up against there. Better let the professional handle it.
Bonasa wrote:
I agree with all, except for approaching the perps. You never know what you may be up against there. Better let the professional handle it.
Always better safe than sorry.
Good reply.
Well I haven't seen any one on here condone that behavior and suggest you get over it or ignore it. And I'm not going to be that person. Some rules are meant be broken. But not fishing and hunting regulations. I'm with everyone else on here. Turn them in. They're not going to stop on their own.
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