Lots of 8's and 9's today..

Comment

Comment by Jacob Hill on July 11, 2012 at 6:38pm

That's true Jim, I live near an officer and he told me about a guy he caught with 174 bluegill from a local lake. 

Comment by dick tabbert on July 11, 2012 at 5:58pm

What counts is the enjoyment you had catching them they don't always have to be wall hangers but the next bite not knowing keeps the excitement in it. Great fish

Comment by Jim Gronaw on July 11, 2012 at 5:31pm

In recent years I have been checked as many as 7 times in a season. Some of the spring shad and striper runs I fish have tons of people at them and the law is out in force.

What's weird is I have seen anglers get 'insulted' to be asked to show their fishing license, acting as if they have been 'picked on' by an officer having a 'bad day'.

Look...I, for one, am glad to see these men and women out and about in our lakes and streams and I support their efforts. The people that get insulted and upset with them are people who may be breaking the law in some manner. Like Jeffrey, it just doesn't bother me when I see the fish and game people...they often are a wealth of information!

At nearby Lake Marburg, the local ranger told me that there have been over 150 violations so far this year, and that is just one lake! Most of which, believe it or not, is for not having a fishing license or PFD's on board...basic, BASIC stuff!

They deserve more respect.

Comment by Jacob Hill on July 11, 2012 at 5:07pm

I'm sorry that the officers are so few and far between but it's good to hear that at least your guy is nice. One time I was reviving a large northern pike over 30" after a long fight on 8 pound test when an officer came up to our boat and asked us to please let the fish swim off by itself. I tried to explain that if I did, it would float and a turtle might pick it up but he thought I was a dumb kid. Haha priceless... Anyway it seems like you get 40 every single day. You really got em going!

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on July 11, 2012 at 5:01pm

No matter how disciplined individual anglers are.....the most important piece is the enforcement and I wish I got checked every time I went  fishing but there is much more water than the limited force can cover....I was last checked by this particular officer on Memorial Day 2009...over three years ago...

Comment by Jacob Hill on July 11, 2012 at 4:57pm

That's a good eater Jeffrey. Glad to hear you have a few good officers. 

Comment by Leo Nguyen on July 11, 2012 at 4:52pm

Here here to that. Of course, with the economy in the toilet, we're lucky if we have a few around the State.