"Sportsman"

[HopkinsFishN]

News Releases

Minnesota man faces steep fines, jail time for gross over-limit of walleye

(Released October 15, 2009)

A Twin Cities man faces nearly $9,000 in fines and restitution, plus jail time for a gross overlimit of walleye.

State conservation officer Scott Staples of Carlton received a call May 11 that a large overlimit of fish was being transported through Cloquet by a Burnsville man.

Charles R. Osland, 55, was later stopped by the Minnesota State Patrol for a driving violation on Interstate 35. Osland allegedly refused to allow law enforcement officers to search his vehicle, but a subsequent check of a residence in Cloquet revealed a freezer containing 250 walleye fillets or 125 fish. Where Osland secured the fish or where the fish were caught remains under investigation.

The daily walleye and sauger (either or combined) possession limit through Feb. 28, 2010 is six in Minnesota. Not more than one walleye in possession can be more than 20-inches.

Osland was charged Oct. 6 in Carlton County District Court with possessing a gross overlimit of walleye, illegal packing of fish, and illegal transportation of fish. No court date has been set.

In 2003, the State Legislature passed a law giving Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers the power to levy fines and seize fishing licenses. Officers can also confiscate equipment, including fishing tackle, boats, and vehicles.

[mrfish1991]

This guy makes me ashamed to be from Burnsville

[EBass]

Cripes - talk about greed

[Flooringuy]

Cripes - talk about greed

You got that right. No respect for nature or the law.

[GrizzlyAdams]

Very sad

[shizzy]

what a gimp.

and one more reason to have the TIP # stored in your cell phone.

[jwmiller33]

to think of all the C&R work done by us fellow fishermen only so this jackoff can fill his freezer full of eyes, really ticks me off. the sad part is there are more than likely several people around the state who are doing a similar thing..

and yes, this is exactly why i keep the TIP phone # in my phone.. for those of you who dont have it, you should put it in your phone. 800 652 9093

[andrew chadwick]

to think of all the C&R work done by us fellow fishermen only so this jackoff can fill his freezer full of eyes, really ticks me off. the sad part is there are more than likely several people around the state who are doing a similar thing..

and yes, this is exactly why i keep the TIP phone # in my phone.. for those of you who dont have it, you should put it in your phone. 800 652 9093

several? probably closer to hunndreds.

[jwmiller33]

you really think there are that many? hundreds? i sure as heck hope there aren't, but i guess i'm a little ignorant in that respect

[slipbobbin]

I bet there is more than one wants to admit to. It really sux that people can't police themselves.

[CRAZYEYES]

I'm sure there are a lot of them. There just is not the manpower to catch these people. Most of us are probobly a little ingnorant to this because we would like to believe people are generally good would'nt poach but greed will always be there.

This year I spent a lot of time on the water and I saw some of the same boats sitting on the same walleye holes day after day. I know I was following the rules but I always wonder how many of these other guys were stockpiling fish. I love to eat fish but what the heck do you even do with something like 125 walleyes.

[mainbutter]

There are lots of people who want to fish heavy for a short period of time during a good bite and get a freezer full of fish for the year.

I am one of them, but I go to alaska for that. That's the only time I fish for meat. I have kept a total of I believe 3 panfish in MN, other than that I've never kept a fish out of this state.

Limits are limits for a reason, without C&R and strict limits our fisheries will fail.

It's easier to spot someone who is over the possession limit on the lake, but if those fillets are in the freezer, it's impossible to police. The best thing to do is not complain about it, but promote C&R and following the rules to friends, family, and strangers.

[Rick G]

It is a very good thing this guy got busted. More than likley wasnt the first time having over the limit for him either.

[CRAZYEYES]

I try to promote C&R to my friends but it it just seems to be human nature to take. As much as I fish I really don't care to keep fish all the time other than a meal here and there and to bring a few home from the cabin when I go. Unforunately full stringers are still whats best for buisiness on many lakes up north and it will probobly always be that way.

[ZEEK1223]

Imagine how much of this goes on in the state. I would imagine most never get caught.

[snoozebutton]

....and yes, this is exactly why i keep the TIP phone # in my phone.. for those of you who dont have it, you should put it in your phone. 800 652 9093

[fishorgolf]

to think of all the C&R work done by us fellow fishermen only so this jackoff can fill his freezer full of eyes, really ticks me off. the sad part is there are more than likely several people around the state who are doing a similar thing..

and yes, this is exactly why i keep the TIP phone # in my phone.. for those of you who dont have it, you should put it in your phone. 800 652 9093

Just put the number in my phone.

[TruthWalleyes]

I have TIP, and the CO's numbers for all counties that i hunt/fish in. Haven't had any reason to use them as of yet.

[Ebiz]

As a reminder if you don't always have a cell phone with you, the TIP number is on the back of your fishing license as well

[mainbutter]

As a reminder if you don't always have a cell phone with you, the TIP number is on the back of your fishing license as well

Why I always have the TIP number on me

[jwmiller33]

if you dont have a cell phone its gonna be tough to make the call! haha just playing. i know what you mean