Tiger trout record rescinded Idaho
Idaho Fishing
Mar 9, 2024 19:04:21 #
greenfrog
Loc: Central NJ
State tiger trout record rescinded after investigation reveals angler caught fish without a license
MONTPELIER — When an angler notified Idaho Fish and Game this past May about a record-breaking tiger trout he said he caught the night before, a conservation officer knew something was fishy.
The Southeast Regional Office for Idaho Fish and Game issued a news release on May 30, 2023, stating that Kody King, a native of Montpelier, was due for some congratulations after catching the new “certified weight” state record for tiger trout.
“King was fishing his home waters of Montpelier Reservoir when he landed the 29-inch monster trout,” the news release said. “King decided to keep the fish, thinking he might well have a record. The fish weighed in at 8.47 pounds, easily beating the previous record of 4.8 pounds held by Gatlynn Mayes caught from Becker Pond in 2020.”
Kolby White, a senior conservation officer for Idaho Fish and Game, says that he learned of the record-breaking catch last year after receiving a voicemail from King on May 26, 2023, that stated he had caught the fish the night before.
“I forwarded the voicemail to our supervisor and he got in contact with (King) and told him that he needed to get a certified weight and get all the necessary paperwork filled out,” White said. “A couple days later I saw our news release and I looked at the picture that was submitted and it threw me off a little bit because I knew exactly where that photo was taken at the Montpelier Reservoir and it definitely wasn’t taken at nighttime.”
White said that based on his training and experience he believed the photo was taken sometime around mid-day or earlier and “that sort of piqued my interest because (King) said that he caught the fish at night.”
To investigate the matter further, White said he looked King up in the Fish and Game system and found out that he did not purchase a license beforehand and actually only purchased a one-day, non-resident fishing license around 2 p.m. the day he said he caught the fish.
Then White responded to the Montpelier Reservoir and took several photographs from the same location that King was pictured in his photo with the record-breaking fish.
“Based on all of my photographs, it was obvious that the fish was caught sometime between noon and 1 p.m.,” White said. “So, with all of that information we conducted an interview with (King) and eventually once we showed him our pictures he admitted to catching and killing the fish and then traveling into town to purchase a license after the fact.”
King was subsequently cited with misdemeanor charges of fishing without a license and unlawful possession of wildlife following the investigation.
King on Oct. 25, 2023, pleaded guilty to the two charges. He was ordered to pay fines and restitution in the amount of $983, had all hunting, fishing and trapping licenses suspended for one year and was ordered to make a public statement and apology that was printed in Montpelier’s newspaper, The News-Examiner.
“I am deeply sorry to inform you that the state record fish I caught was illegal, as I did not possess the necessary fishing license at the time,” King wrote in the public apology. “I understand the importance of following the rules and regulations that govern our community, and I am truly remorseful for my actions. I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere apologies to each and every member of our community. My actions were thoughtless and irresponsible, and I fully accept the consequences of my behavior.”
King’s record tiger trout catch was rescinded and the 4.8 pound record that was held by Mayes was restored.
Link: https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/state-tiger-trout-record-rescinded-after-investigation-reveals-angler-caught-fish-without-a-license/article_4c65be82-dda8-11ee-9227-cf1282a2c0d2.html
MONTPELIER — When an angler notified Idaho Fish and Game this past May about a record-breaking tiger trout he said he caught the night before, a conservation officer knew something was fishy.
The Southeast Regional Office for Idaho Fish and Game issued a news release on May 30, 2023, stating that Kody King, a native of Montpelier, was due for some congratulations after catching the new “certified weight” state record for tiger trout.
“King was fishing his home waters of Montpelier Reservoir when he landed the 29-inch monster trout,” the news release said. “King decided to keep the fish, thinking he might well have a record. The fish weighed in at 8.47 pounds, easily beating the previous record of 4.8 pounds held by Gatlynn Mayes caught from Becker Pond in 2020.”
Kolby White, a senior conservation officer for Idaho Fish and Game, says that he learned of the record-breaking catch last year after receiving a voicemail from King on May 26, 2023, that stated he had caught the fish the night before.
“I forwarded the voicemail to our supervisor and he got in contact with (King) and told him that he needed to get a certified weight and get all the necessary paperwork filled out,” White said. “A couple days later I saw our news release and I looked at the picture that was submitted and it threw me off a little bit because I knew exactly where that photo was taken at the Montpelier Reservoir and it definitely wasn’t taken at nighttime.”
White said that based on his training and experience he believed the photo was taken sometime around mid-day or earlier and “that sort of piqued my interest because (King) said that he caught the fish at night.”
To investigate the matter further, White said he looked King up in the Fish and Game system and found out that he did not purchase a license beforehand and actually only purchased a one-day, non-resident fishing license around 2 p.m. the day he said he caught the fish.
Then White responded to the Montpelier Reservoir and took several photographs from the same location that King was pictured in his photo with the record-breaking fish.
“Based on all of my photographs, it was obvious that the fish was caught sometime between noon and 1 p.m.,” White said. “So, with all of that information we conducted an interview with (King) and eventually once we showed him our pictures he admitted to catching and killing the fish and then traveling into town to purchase a license after the fact.”
King was subsequently cited with misdemeanor charges of fishing without a license and unlawful possession of wildlife following the investigation.
King on Oct. 25, 2023, pleaded guilty to the two charges. He was ordered to pay fines and restitution in the amount of $983, had all hunting, fishing and trapping licenses suspended for one year and was ordered to make a public statement and apology that was printed in Montpelier’s newspaper, The News-Examiner.
“I am deeply sorry to inform you that the state record fish I caught was illegal, as I did not possess the necessary fishing license at the time,” King wrote in the public apology. “I understand the importance of following the rules and regulations that govern our community, and I am truly remorseful for my actions. I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere apologies to each and every member of our community. My actions were thoughtless and irresponsible, and I fully accept the consequences of my behavior.”
King’s record tiger trout catch was rescinded and the 4.8 pound record that was held by Mayes was restored.
Link: https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/state-tiger-trout-record-rescinded-after-investigation-reveals-angler-caught-fish-without-a-license/article_4c65be82-dda8-11ee-9227-cf1282a2c0d2.html
Mar 9, 2024 22:12:01 #
Mar 10, 2024 03:23:04 #
greenfrog wrote:
b State tiger trout record rescinded after invest... (show quote)
Nice piece of enforcement work. I guess King must feel like the King of liars now. And, that's tough in the fishing world. So, bye bye to any tackle endorsement $'s now, for this cheapskate.
Mar 10, 2024 07:59:53 #
Jer
Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸
greenfrog wrote:
b State tiger trout record rescinded after invest... (show quote)
I understand the charges and fine for no license, but what does that have to do with catching a record fish.
Mar 10, 2024 09:00:59 #
Big dog
Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York
greenfrog wrote:
b State tiger trout record rescinded after invest... (show quote)
What a jerk.
This is a great reminder people, get you license !!!
Mar 10, 2024 10:18:16 #
greenfrog
Loc: Central NJ
Jer wrote:
I understand the charges and fine for no license, but what does that have to do with catching a record fish.
No one said the fish wasn't caught. Just not sportsman's like.
How can they count a record fish caught illegally and by immoral behavior?
The guy only bought the license because he broke the record, otherwise he would still be fishing without one.
Poacher should have taken the high road.
Mar 10, 2024 11:00:10 #
👎👎Mar 10, 2024 23:16:16 #
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