Catch and release fish out of season??

[Knoc]

I seen a guy pitching dare devils today assuming he was trying to catch a northern. I always thought it was illegal to fish for fish that are out of season? I assumed if he caught one he would release it, but isnt it still illegal to target them??

[ted4887]

Yes, it is illegal to target an out of season species. Even if you are releasing them.

[mainbutter]

Turn-In-Poachers tip line phone number:

1-800-652-9093

Right now, if you are reading this, grab your cell phone from your pocket. Add this to your phonebook.

Did you just read that and not grab your phone? Seriously, do it.

Now.

Still didn't do it? Do it now, super fast, 10 seconds, and worth it! Think of all the feel-good you'll get out of being able to report poachers if you see 'em. You don't HAVE to call on someone C&Ring and you have this number on you, but especially if you see someone TAKING fish out of season, or over limit, wouldn't you want to have this tool?

Come on, it takes 15 seconds to add a number to your phonebook. You can't be that lazy just because you're on a computer tonight. Grab yourself a snack from the fridge to reward yourself.

Good job

[traveler]

good post MB:)

[OnAFly]

+1

[DTro]

Not to discourage turning in poachers, but I sometimes wonder what percentage of CO's will respond to a call about a guy in a glittery boat throwing spinnerbaits and releasing everything he catches in April?

Without any fish in the livewell there is no "smoking gun". They can tell you to stop and or leave the area, but I've been asking the same question year after year and have yet to get a single response from anyone who has firsthand knowledge of a fine levied and prosecuted for targeting a fish out of season.

So I'll ask again....

[Down Deep]

If a CO can get to the lake they will glass the area and when they locate the culprit will make a determination. If nothing else, a visit by the CO and lecture might just set the guy on the right path.

[Archerysniper]

Thanks MB got it saved now. Last fall I made 3 TIP calls and had responses within a hour or 2 I had another that took a day for feed back.

[mrklean]

I know a guy from college who got warned about fishing out of season, I think if one guy out in a lake is doin it and co gets the call probably won't do much, but the crews that go to the river out of season are more likely to get tagged quick walk for a co and there is usually more then a handful of guys fishing at one time

[CRBass]

I have seem them respond quickly to a single call, even on a small lake.

They did just issue a warning, but I think it had the desired response.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Mainbutter, great advice. Also, the back of your fishing/hunting license has the TIP number and a text number. Good to see people that care about our natural resources.

[CarpinMNRiver]

They could be fishing for really big crappies.

[Hoffer]

Just curious...is it illegal to "snag" rough fish like carp and suckers?

I remember when I was a kid we grew up on a lake in West Central Mn that had a huge population of suckers. We used to go up and down the shore and cast our line with a treble hook on it right into the middle of the bunch when they were spawning. It was actually pretty darn fun when your a kid. A snagged sucker on a treble fights like crazy. I wonder if this is what the guy was doing?

Dont misunderstand - I am not condoning the action. I am just actually curious as to if this is legal or not?

[Matt C]

Sitting on my deck, I have watched people blatantly fish for northern and bass out of season. Every time I have called TIP, Julie (CO) for Rice County is there within 15 minutes. Some she tickets, others she warns.

I do feel like a narc at times, but then really I don't because I respect our fish..and the rules are there there to protect them.

[DTro]

Well, just for my own curiosity, I would still like to see a fully prosecuted case in which there are no fish in possession and the judge finds you guilty. I'm not saying it's right, but first, how can you prove it 100% and if you do succeed in doing it, how do you determine damages?

and about the snagging, yes it's illegal.

[Matt C]

I agree 100%. But a talking to from a CO should hopefully deter further out of season fishing. I know it would for me.

[DTro]

It's just one of those issues that comes up EVERY SINGLE year and gets in my craw.

[itchmesir]

Turn-In-Poachers tip line phone number:

1-800-652-9093

Right now, if you are reading this, grab your cell phone from your pocket. Add this to your phonebook.

Did you just read that and not grab your phone? Seriously, do it.

Now.

Still didn't do it? Do it now, super fast, 10 seconds, and worth it! Think of all the feel-good you'll get out of being able to report poachers if you see 'em. You don't HAVE to call on someone C&Ring and you have this number on you, but especially if you see someone TAKING fish out of season, or over limit, wouldn't you want to have this tool?

Come on, it takes 15 seconds to add a number to your phonebook. You can't be that lazy just because you're on a computer tonight. Grab yourself a snack from the fridge to reward yourself.

Good job

I called TIP once.. the person on the phone seemed like they could have cared less.. I called in a group of guys tossing frogs on the lake well before bass opener... I called.. Told the lady on the phone.. she goes "well are they keeping anything?" "No. But you don't throw frogs for panfish" "yeah... I'll radio the CO".. no thank you.. or good bye.. just a click.. and no one ever showed

Also sent TIP info on a poacher that frequents this forum.. emails.. pictures.. cell phone conversations of a day this person went fishing illegally on a certain piece of water that was not in season.. never even got an email back from them or a phone call...

moral of my two stories.. TIP is a joke

[workin4bait]

ichmesir; it is too bad you have had poor experiences with TIP.

I have had very good experiences.I have had quick call backs from C.O.s and have been offered TIP rewards when tickets for overlimits have been issued. I have seen patrolling of lakes where I have reported problems increase. Do I get the desired results everytime? Of course not,C.O.s have large areas to watch over and many things to check on,but if I see someone bending the rules I"drop a dime every time"

[traveler]

Sounds like mixed reults on here from calling the TIP line...what a shock! It's the guvernment for cripes sake, what did you expect??

That being said, it's the best chance any of us sportsman have to actually have a direct effect on some of the problems that plague our sport...so just do it. The system might not be perfect, but it's WAY better than nothing!

Hoffer...we did the same thing when we were kids...and I don't think the authorities ever cared, but for the record, roughfish spearing/bowfishing, etc...is May 1st (or was at that time). We did go sucker spearing with a friends dad after May 1 a couple times and that was a blast:)

[DTro]

Yes, most certainly utilize the TIP line, or better yet get a hold of your area CO’s direct number, that way you can eliminate the middle man. I would have to think that the CO depends a lot on citizen interaction and tips.

But this business about catching and releasing some fish during a short period between seasons to me is much adieu about nothing. It’s one thing to be stocking your freezer but IMO quite a bit different when you are just letting them go anyways.

Sure you have the whole hooking mortality thing and I get that, but having a year round C&R season would clear up all this nonsense. Sure it would have everyone up in arms for a few weeks, but then we would all forget about it really quickly. The “Traditional” opener would continue as usual with a new harvest season starting in May every year, and after a few years people would wonder what all the fuss was about.

Or we could just continue to put our heads in the sand and pretend that until May/June people are “crappie” fishing on Upper Red, and “pike” fishing on Tonka, and “catfishing” on the Croix.

[Hoffer]

yeah come to think of it - I am pretty sure it was always after may 1. This weird early weather has me all mixed up and it just seems like the time of year already. It was usually in May when we would go out and "open up the cabin" and then the sucker run would always be on too. I have great memories of cruising the shallows with my Dad and grandpa chucking spears out both side of the boat and it was a blast. Then later on when I got older I graduated to a bow and and arrow made for fishing. That was an awesome time too. I got pretty good with a bow. So, back to the story...in essence - the only thing open legally right now would be panfish? So, no matter what...someone chucking a daredevil was probably not legal.

[Knoc]

Thanks MB, I put the number in my phone.

If I seen that they were keeping fish, then Id call the CO, but just seeing a person casting a big spoon, I dont think I would. Im not one to get into other peoples business (Unless someone is getting hurt or doing damage).

[traveler]

Hoffer; that sounds like big fun in the boat! We went on small rivers and basically waded along and "herded" the suckers in front of us till we'd get to a small pool where they'd stack up and we'd have at 'em! Or we'd find a spot with a tight little run and one guy would use a muskie size net up against the bank while we drove the fish downstream into the net. That one caused some comedy when a big push of fish would move down, that net would get pretty full pretty fast:)

[JediTrav]

North Dakota doesn't close their seasons for walleyes and pike and they seem to be doing just fine. I can't honestly see how catch and release could be very harmful.