audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Where I go now, on the shore of the Bay, they come down about once a week when it is warm and daylight. To many that don't have a license there and they know it. The boat launch is free so they check the boats also. Your NOT allowed to Filet Rock Fish(Striped Bass) until you get home so they can check the size of your catch. They stopped a boat with 4 guys and they had 16 Filet's in the cooler. Limit would have been 2 fish each that year. I think the fine was about $4K($500 per fish) and Game Wardens took the boat, car, trailer, rods and gave them a free ride to jail. I think they made the wardens mad. I have seen them just take an under size fish when the guy thought it was legal and not give a ticket.
My Dad told me never make someone mad at you that has a gun, unless you have one and are planing on shooting them first.
They have checked me so many times that unless it is a new guy or the start of Rock fish season, they don't check me any more. BTW in Texas Game Wardens are actual police officers, with the ability to make an arrest. Then they will call the local police and wait for them to come to take the person away. Learned that when I was living there, did NOT happen to me!

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

My son was brown bear hunting along the Yukon river & 2 Wardens were set to ticket him for being over some boundary line. Not only was he in for a stiff fine but they were taking his firearms. They spotted him from a helicopter, my son had traveled in by boat. My son pulled out his GPS & using the Wardens map showed them he was not over the boundary. I think he was lucky to have a couple wardens that didn't object to being mistaken. He was with a guide who wasn't going to dispute the wardens.

Larry M Loc: North Clairmount, San Diego

I’ve only been checked once in my boat.
They came along beside me to check.
Another boat saw them checking me and took off. One fish and game guy came aboard my boat and the other guy took off after the other guy in their boat.
That was in San Diego bay.

Jeremy Loc: America

I used to fish with an Idiot. He would always get pissed when we get checked. I always said shut up and just be civil. I never had trouble with them but he usually ended up in trouble from past record. He was a scam artist and been caught..


I quit fishing with the moron. He is dead now. One guy I celebrated when I heard that. He was a thief and stole from everyone he could.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Where’d you learn to act like that? Same place I did?😆

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

I haven’t been checked, but a handful of times. That is one job I would not want. No matter who they check, that person is going to be pissed as their plans or activities are disrupted. Add alcohol to the mix and all bets are off. We are encouraged to have a printed copy of our license on us even though they are available online, but if the Warden can’t get a signal you will have a problem. A picture of your license on your phone might save you a ticket, too.

Three Cs Loc: Allen Texas

never been checked for fishing license but have been checked once for life jackets and fire extinguisher. I always make sure my license is current. Also make sure to keep boat registration up to date and decals in place.

Doug Lemmon Loc: Rochester Mills, PA

Typically get checked a few times a year by the Fishies and the Coasties.. They're just doing their job.

JackM Loc: North East Florida

I've fished with a license in Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, Minnesota, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Wyoming, South Carolina, Massachusetts and Florida. In Florida when you are over 65 no license is required. It is the only place I've ever been checked. It was a very popular surf fishing spot which is occasionally patrolled so no surprise. From what I have seen since moving to Florida most warden activity involves not following limits. What makes the news is when some guys keep way over the limit.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

For how long in each place and by yourself or with a guide? Makes a huge difference. Most guides don’t get hassled in Oregon because it’s a risk of losing their guide license if they screw up. Get in your own boat and fish 6 or 7 days a week for 5 months and they’re on you like flies on a gut pile. I’ve seen em laying along the bank in full camo with binos just hoping for that citation moment.

BongsonBob Loc: East Bay

While fishing the Green River in Utah years ago I noticed two men dressed in fishing attire coming down the trail. They stopped, had a brief conversation, and then approached me. I could tell they were cops 5 seconds after first seeing them. After asking me how the fishing was, one flashed his badge from under his fishing vest and the other simotaneously produced a video camera and started filming. They were surprised that I produced my license as quickly as they flashed their badge. After assuring that I was legal I mentioned that I had "made" them long before they reached me. Slightly embarrestd they asked what they had done wrong. I told them that if they were real fishermen they would have been staring at the river looking for fish and not focusing on me while they were approaching

dfn Loc: Mobile, Al.

Haven't been checked for 20yrs and that was on my own property along a major traffic artery on a fresh water creek. Have since moved and don't have an issue. No checks on Gulf.

Howard 285 Loc: Morehead City nc

I do not have to renew my all around license unless I get deer tags or special stamp (age) no cost. I was fishing around a bridge on a creek in Eastern NC next to a man and we were catching speckled trout ,small one, the next time I saw him I was surf fishing for trout and he had on his uniform and did check my license. When he was in civilian clothes he did not say he was a Marine Fisheries officer.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

69 years old and as far as I know only been check once and that was while deer hunting

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Some places are hassle free for sure. It’s that way here in Idaho. I had a game cop stop by when I was bank fishing for steelhead. He visited for a while and asked if I had been getting any bites. As he was leaving I asked “aren’t you gonna check my license?”. He just said “why?” Then he said “we have bigger issues to worry about than people fishing without a license. We don’t rely on extra revenue from citations. We work for you, you don’t work for us. Have a great day and good luck”. And he left.