Fisherman keep tiger muskie out of season

[czl99]

I was fishing on orchard lake today and two fisherman fishing about 50 yards from us were tip up fishing. I watched them catch a fish on one of there tip ups so i walked over the see how big it was. When i got over there it was about a 30 inch tiger muskie laying on the ice. I commented to the guy nice fish and he says "Yea its a nice pike". I told him thats not a pike thats a tiger muskie and they are not in season right now and it would have to be 40" or bigger to keep if it was in season. I told him he better release it or he would get ticketed if the dnr came out here. He told he that he will just say its a pike if they do. I told him once more that he should release the fish it is not in season and he still didnt release it instead he went to his shack and grabed a plastic bag to put the fish in and brang it into his shack.

People like this make me very angry to waste a fish like that. I called the dnr tip line and a conservation officer contacted me shortly after. The officer waited at the landing for them to come in and ticketed them for the fish. Even though they got fined for the fish it still does not do justice for the fish getting wasted by keeping it out of season and under length.

[cbrooks]

Good work, I wish more people would do what you did.

[Nick Kuhn]

Well the fines are fairly steep and if the warden believes you to be intentionally misleading he can really pile it on. If he desires they can request to have licenses revoked, which would apply to MN and 28 other states. A repeat offense in that time will really set him back (ie forfeiture of all fishing equipment plus on the steep side of a $500 fine).

Yes a fish was lost but it also bought more fingerlings so it's not a total loss. Calling the tip line probably saved several more fish down the line as well. Reading the summary of warden reports for near my cabin, the vast majority of serious offenses were called in on tip lines. Wardens will even go out on their own time if there is a solid lead on such offenses, not just when they are on duty.

[DHanson]

Good job, cz. You did the right thing.

[propster]

I applaud you. He deserves what he gets, especially once he still insisted on keeping it after you correctly identified it for him.

[pushbutton]

thank you! too often people dont want to get involved. i agree... i doubt the fine will do justice for a 30 inch muskie, but at least it may deter these people from doing it again.

[AuggieDawg11]

This is the best thing I have read in a while. You tried to tell the guys they were in the wrong, twice. They chose not to listen so they pay the price. I would love to bust someone like that someday.

[JimBuck]

Fantastic story. It's good to hear some success coming from the TIP line. Thanks for sticking up and doing the right thing.

[AWH]

Excellent job! It sucks to see a fish like that wasted. But it's awesome what you did. It will likely keep them from trying something like that again. And hopefully they will tell their friends of their stupidity and prevent others from doing it as well. Nice work!

Aaron

[guideman]

Good Job!

With the attitude this guy had you can bet this wasn't the first time he kept a fish that was out of season. It's hard to understand some people when they take a risk like that for a fish that isn't even close to being a trophy class fish.

Meat hunters no doubt....

I hope they throw the book at him.

"Ace"

[cbrooks]

What is the number for the TIP line?

[Brett Waldera]

I was fishing Garrison Reef on Mille Lacs this fall when I encountered a black pro-V with a 115 Honda that had two guys casting while trailing a sucker rod. I mentioned to them that they were allowed one rod each in MN and they made a smart comment "we thought we were in Wisconsin". So I called in the TIP line and reported them but by the time the warden got out to watch them they were already trolling and had reeled in the line. They will get caught sooner or later...

Come on...are you really going to feel good about that 50"er if you are breaking the law to catch it??!! I just can't see the satisfaction in that.

Brett Waldera

[MuskieJunkie]

Nice work CZ, I love it when these stories end well.

[Shawn Kellett]

Good job!

[brmuskie]

TIP Hotline toll-free: 1-800-652-9093

or dial #TIP from your cell phone

24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Every sportsman should have this number programmed into their phones in case something happens while afield.

You should also get to know the conservation officers in the area where you spend most of your time afield and have their cell phone numbers too. If more people out there thought that someone might be watching them or might be willing to turn them in, I think that there would be less people breaking the law.

[Fredd]

Nice work, CZ, no time/place for sportsmen like this.

[porterhouse]

Good job CZ. We don't need those losers on our lakes!!!

Brian

[eyehead]

Good job!!! It's nice to hear of someone actually sticking up for our resources instead of turning your head and not doing anything about it. Thank you!!!

[cjac]

Well done and thanks CZ for doin' the right thing.....

[crix]

Hey cz this is a common problem out there on orchard. We were fishing orchard and saw the guy in the background of this photo With 3 lines in the water. I also called into tip!!! The C.O. waited at the launch I told him the make of boat description of the guy fishing etc. It was easy for them to catch him since he was the only other guy out there fishing!!!

good on ya to report him !!!

[pinkfloyd4ever]

nice job dude, thanks

[Andrew Erickson]

good job

[walleye365]

job well done thanks CZ

[sbro73]

You Done Good, CZ. Thanks for reminding me, just got a new phone, and did not have the TIP line listed!!!

[thrax]

Nice string. I put the TIP number in my phone from here. I have seen way too many violations of all kinds, as well as had some very dangerous boating encounters and never called anyone. I think I will dig up a few more numbers as a few suggested also.

Great Job CZ.