Nebraska angler fined $1,200 for too many walleye

[fasternu]

Let's settle this the "Old West" way and take it into our own hands. I did a simple google search and found his address and phone number. We can just send him postcards saying Glad you're not here, or phone calls requesting him to vacation in another state (and steal from them) from now on.

[muskE]

At Thomsen’s resort cabin, Gorecki found a freezer containing 53 fillets, or 27 walleyes. Thomsen admitted that several of the fish were over the 28-inch slot limit. He was charged with a gross over-limit of 21 walleyes, and would have to make a court appearance.

Bartenders get in trouble for not cutting people off. Where's the liability (or at least responsibility) for Thomsen? I'm interpreting this that they "admitted" several fish were over the limit so they knew what was going on. One person got caught, how many haven't? Smells like a good way to ruin a fishery.

Sounds like they need a Datline NBC visit up there.

[Dylan33]

MuskE- I'm confused by your post.

are you thinking that Thomsen is the resort?

Thomsen was the angler from Nebraska that was fined. Not the name of the resort.

Is that right?

[Getanet]

I'm not sure I'm following you. Thomsen was the guy that got caught with too many fish. There was no "they admitted" it was only "he admitted."

With your bartender analogy are you implying the resort should be liable? Unless the resorts owners were taking him out fishing and willfully looking the other way I'm not sure how anyone other than Thomas has any liability or responsibility in this matter.

[bgmny]

Several fish over 28"? It's not like these were eater size 16 inchers. People can fish a lifetime and not catch a 28 incher. 1,200 bucks is not nearly enough fine for those trophy class fish!

[muskE]

I hate my BBerry! Thank you for the correction. I was scrolling like a madman on my mobile and would have been a heck of an argument if it made sense!! LOL

Now that I read it on a full monitor and not in the Dentist's office I see how I misread it.

The lemonade from my err is that it does raise the question if someone sees an infraction what is the level to which that person is obligated to report the TIP? Most of the language in the handbook is suggestive and encouraging to report however it doesn't appear that you are legally bound. Should there be some level of obligation (other than "the right thing to do") imparted on those that carry a vaild fishing/ hunting license?

Food for thought anyway.

[Kettle]

I enjoyed the part of the article where the CO helped him hook his boat on his truck, kind of a way of saying here let me help you leave...... oh and I have my eyes on you lol

Kettle

[FM_Mike]

we need to make examples of these type of people and let them know the state of MN means business when it comes to our natural resources, if we start taking trucks, boats, guns equipment away for this stuff one would think it would start to curb that behavior.

I agree. We that said, the people with homes on the lakes that go out and double or triple dip should have their lake home or cabin taken. That would really put the fear of You know who into the locals that think their practices of filling the freezer is no big deal.

Mike

[Desperado]

I suspect that the case was settled at a lower level because LOW County doesn't have the money to pursue it all the way. The County Attorney's job is a part time position and not that well paid. A trial and possible jail time could have cost them big time and so they did the best they thought they could.

Hmmm . . . where's those legacy amendment funds when we need them?

Wouldn't having some of them available for these types of legal costs be a legitimate (and phenomenal) way to help PROTECT and PRESERVE our natural resources?

Unfortunately, those funds don't seem to be available at all anymore.

[delcecchi]

No, it would be a slippery slope to siphon off money that should have been in a normal budget.

60 bucks per walleye is probably in some manual somewhere as appropriate restitution.

[traveler]

I say we all chip in, rent a bus, and head on down to Nee-braska and catch thier walleye! We'd all have to share it, of couse, and i hear it's a pretty scrawny one... but it's the principle of the thing, right??

[bturck]

Boat, motor, trailer and all fishing gear should have been confiscated along with rods, reels and fishing tackle and a sentence along with the fine of Never being allowed an angling or any other kind of license in Minnesota. They confiscate fishing gear during the ice season.....Try doing something like that in Canada hunting or fishing and you'll need a second mortgage to get back across the border.

[Kyhl]

Hmmm . . . where's those legacy amendment funds when we need them?

Wouldn't having some of them available for these types of legal costs be a legitimate (and phenomenal) way to help PROTECT and PRESERVE our natural resources?

Unfortunately, those funds don't seem to be available at all anymore.

Legislators are already siphoning off enough money from Legacy via fund shifting. They are systemically underfunding the DNR in a plan to eventually force the DNR to be funded by the Legacy dollars to operate.

Let's not speed this along.