Riding in a boat without a fishing license?

[Slyster]

Here's a question for ya... Tonight I picked up a buddy for the sunset bite.. just to show him some fish and some sites on the lake.. and he doesn't fish. I have five rods. What is the CO going to say when he comes to check our boat? He really didn't touch a rod.. would they believe me?

[Bauer and Standke]

As long as only one rod is sitting there ready to be fished with they can not say anything but if you have two poles baited up and ready to go then you might have a little talking to do.

[Slyster]

Well.. Of course ALL my poles are baited up.. that's why I have 5 poles! One with a Senko, one with a jig-n-pig, one with a 1" tube for panfish, one with large bass tube, and one with a crankbait on. Not sure what you meant.

[stmichael]

They have to see him fishing.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Right, we've been stopped at night before with 4 people fishing and one not fishing because she didn't have a license. It was no problem for the COs.

[markkstanley]

Don't bet on it depends on CO. I was helping my kids take out a canoe from a small lake. Hadn't been fishing myself so I did not have my license with me. CO wandered up asked how the fishing was. Told him to ask the kids as I wasn't fishing. He never saw me fish never saw me with a rod in my hand. Got written up anyway.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I would think they'd have a hard time justifying it if you chose to fight it. How can he write you a ticket if he has no proof that you were fishing?

[mntraveler]

The only problem with fighting a ticket is it will cost more money to fight than to pay it for most of us. I realize that is a bad attitude and it could potentially make things worse for everyone, but that is the sad reality.

[Walleye Guy]

Mark,

Did you get written up for fishing without a license or not having a license in your possession?

WG

[markkstanley]

Originally fishing without a license but I talked him into the no license in possesion. But since I wasn't fishing and wasn't even on the water just pulling a canoe out I couldn't figure out why I would need to have my license with me. CO wasn't willing to explain why either. I just figure he was having a bad day and let it go. I had to go through the hassle of proving I had license by mailing him a copy but at least I wasn't out any $$$ when the dust settled. I now carry my license everywhere and make sure everyone in boat has one if they are required to. Funny thing is this is the only time I've been checked by a CO.

[BLACKJACK]

I'd still have a hard time accepting a ticket for no license if I hadn't been fishing. I'd have talked to his supevisor, I'd have fought it in court, I'd have told the guy what I thought. Thats not right!

[Da Beak]

I just spoke to the DNR about this last week. I had a similar situation with my 23 year old daughter in the boat with us while we were fishing. Their statement was "As long as she is not fishing, or assisting in the taking of fish in any way, then she does not need a license."

[ghotierman]

This thread just invites this story:

A couple was vacationing on a lake in the north woods. The husband came in from fishing all morning, docked the boat and headed in to take a nap. The wife, seeing a great relaxing opportunity, hopped in the boat and floated out in the lake and settled in with a good book. A little while later, the local CO motors up, and asks to see the lady's fishing license. "I don't have one" she replied. "And besides, I'm not fishing". The CO took out his ticket book and says "I'm sorry ma'am, I'm issuing you a ticket for fishing without a license". "But I am not fishing" she insisted. "But you have all the equipment in the boat" the CO replied. The lady calmly put down her book, removed her sunglasses and said...."Sir, if you write me that ticket, I will scream and charge you with rape!" The CO shrugged and sneered back from his boat.. "But I never even touched you" "That's true," the lady replied...."but you have all the equipment!" The CO put his ticket book away, "you have a nice day now..."

good luck and good fishing!

[SUNNYD]

LMAO funny! That is a true classic!

[luckey]

markkstanley

I guess technically you were "assisting". Sucks just the same.

[stmichael]

This does not make any sense to me, especially if you take your kids fishing. What if your kids are young...lets say around 3. How are they going to be able to bait the hook, take the fish off the line, get the line off the log? There has to be some forgiveness in these rules. If there is a person fishing with their kids and the kids are off playing and you are tending the lines then yes you should be fined. If you are honestly teaching/helping your kids you should be well within the confines of the law. They can watch and be able to understand the situation before approaching you.

[ozzie]

If you are taking your kids fishing you need to have a license in possesion......if your kids go fishing under a certain age they do not need a license but if you are with you better have one......they do cost a whopping $18 or something like that. to the guy who got ticketed while helping take the canoe out sounds like you had a grumpy CO and even though you had to prove you are licensed he was in the wrong.......But technically if you are not fishing and have not been witnessed as fishing then I certainly would not worry to much about it most COs are understanding and won't react in that matter. and if they do I guess you can just yell "RAPE" LOL too funny!!!

[Biggerfish]

Ozzie is correct.

I was fishing about 10 years ago up in the Park Rapids and forgot my fishing license at home. I took 3 of my nephews out in the middle of the afternoon for a little sunfish action. I never put a line in myself but did help the kids bait and untangle their lines a few times. Sure enough a CO pulled up to check the boat for lifejackets, extinguishers and etc. Then asked to see my license, and I responded, "I'm not fishing" He said I cannot assist the kids in anyway if I do not have a license. I told him I have one but had forgotten it home. Here is the cool part, he never ticketed me and said go ahead and fish if I would like the rest of the week, but remember it the next time. Very nice CO....

[Bauer and Standke]

Quote:

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Well.. Of course ALL my poles are baited up.. that's why I have 5 poles! One with a Senko, one with a jig-n-pig, one with a 1" tube for panfish, one with large bass tube, and one with a crankbait on. Not sure what you meant.

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No I know you are going to have all of them setup but if you were fishing live bait and one was right next to your friend you might have a problem.

[Deitz Dittrich]

the CO would have to see your buddie helping.. and helping can even be handing you the net.. as long as your buddie doesnt help, your fine!

[riverrat56]

Ok I know that the CO is just trying to do his job, but frankly I don't understand how you can even consider giving someone a ticket for helping load up a boat? Do people on jet ski's need to have a fishing license what if they help to load up a fishermans boat? I know that you didn't get written up for it, but the fact that he claims he could have is a complete joke.