Over-harvest bust on Lac Qui Parle yesterday

[Selmer]

I got a call from the local CO yesterday at about 11:30 a.m. He wondered if I could help him out distributing catfish fillets to people who would use them or needed them. (I'm a local pastor) I said, "Sure, what's going on?"

Turns out he busted to two out of state fishermen fishing on LQP that had 72 hour licenses, were each running two lines and 40 catfish over their limit, 50 total. 36 were already filleted and on ice, the other 14 were still fresh and on ice. After cleaning the fish I had almost 50 lbs. of catfish fillets yesterday. They were distributed to local people in need and area food pantries - I packaged them in 1 lb. packages and froze them in water. All fish were at least 20", probably a dozen over 25" based on the fillet size. Biggest fish was 29". The fishermen claimed ignorance about the laws. Based on this story, maybe the admins will let this pic stay up, but I understand the forum policy. I thought maybe an exception would be allowed because of the circumstances. Each of the white spots represents one catfish.

[aanderud]

Wow. Thanks for the pic and the story. I'm glad the fish went to some people in need, rather than in the freezer of some hogs.

[Markula]

I got a call from the local CO yesterday at about 11:30 a.m. He wondered if I could help him out distributing catfish fillets to people who would use them or needed them. (I'm a local pastor) I said, "Sure, what's going on?"

Turns out he busted to two out of state fishermen fishing on LQP that had 72 hour licenses, were each running two lines and 40 catfish over their limit, 50 total. 36 were already filleted and on ice, the other 14 were still fresh and on ice. After cleaning the fish I had almost 50 lbs. of catfish fillets yesterday. They were distributed to local people in need and area food pantries - I packaged them in 1 lb. packages and froze them in water. All fish were at least 20", probably a dozen over 25" based on the fillet size. Biggest fish was 29". The fishermen claimed ignorance about the laws. Based on this story, maybe the admins will let this pic stay up, but I understand the forum policy. I thought maybe an exception would be allowed because of the circumstances. Each of the white spots represents one catfish.

What were they using for bait? Did they hsve some white bass too?

[Selmer]

Stinkbait on the bottom. Nothing but catfish.

[harvey lee]

Great to hear the fish went to a good use. Mayber they could take the boat and sell that for a few more dollars.

[DTro]

Glad to see they got busted! Now run home and tell all your friends not to come here

[Selmer]

The boat in the background is not theirs - they were fishing from shore.

[Scott M]

Missouri anglers face fines for catfish overharvest

MN DNR News

September 26, 2013

Two anglers from Missouri face fines and restitution for over-limits of catfish caught on Lac qui Parle, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Conservation Officer Ed Picht observed two people fishing on a public fishing pier on Lac qui Parle and saw one of the anglers was using two lines.

Upon further investigation, he found that Frankie Munger and Roger Murphy had 14 catfish on a stringer and 36 catfish fillets in their cooler. The limit on catfish is five with only one more than 24 inches. They were also in possession of too many catfish over length. Fines and restitution for the pair totaled $600.

“The men didn’t think it was a big deal to keep too many catfish,” Picht said. “In reality, most of the people who fish the Minnesota River system this time of year are targeting catfish.”

Anyone witnessing a fish or wildlife violation is encouraged to contact the 24-hour, toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 800-652-9093. Cell phone users can dial #TIP.

[thatoneguy]

Sad that the fine is only $600. They ought to add another zero to it. No excuse for stuff like this.

[motownmasher]

i agree it should be more. at least $100 per fish over.

[aanderud]

i agree it should be more. at least $100 per fish over.

I disagree. The point of the fine is to discourage people from doing it again -- not to put someone in financially dire straights. As such, the fine just has to out-weigh the potential benefit. I think that in this case, the $600 will do just that.

Now, on a repeat offender, I think you have to raise the fine, probably double or triple if they're caught again (since a repeat-offense implies that the fine amount apparently didn't do the job it was intended to do).

[CANOPY SAM]

Would it make more sense to make the fine incrementally larger as per number of fish over the limit? I have to admit, $600 seems a little on the low end for killing this many fish over the limit.

I'd bet if you had painful increments for over limit you might see this sort of thing happening less often. Say;

5-10 fish over limit = $25.00 per fish.

11-20 fish over limit = $50.00 per fish.

21-25 fish over limit = $75.00 per fish.

26-30 " " " = $100.00 per fish.

etc.,

etc....

Not disagreeing with you aanderud, just recognizing that "financially dire straits" can be radically different from one person to the next. I know plenty of folks that would merely sneeze over a $600 fine. They'd likely go back and do it again tomorrow if the bite was good, and they thought they could get away with it.

Pretty lame story put forth by these guys as well. They had to purchase out of state licenses, and they clearly came here to do some fishing, but never bothered to read the regulations as they pertain to daily limits? Really?

[DTro]

I know plenty of folks that would merely sneeze over a $600 fine. They'd likely go back and do it again tomorrow if the bite was good, and they thought they could get away with it.

Pretty lame story put forth by these guys as well. They had to purchase

There are stop gaps in place in which a same or similar offense will incur a higher fine and also loss of license. This is a pretty big deal for most people (loss of license).

[aanderud]

I know plenty of folks that would merely sneeze over a $600 fine.