Can Cops Ask You For Your Fishing License?

[tatertester]

Wellllll!....Looks who is talking about negative posts....No, don't need your boots on , I am a retired detective , believe what you want....By the way , Expressing your legal rights is not being uncooperative, but, being naïve and uninformed about the law and every citizens rights may be viewed as foolish.....If the shoe fits.

[AJMichigan]

Wellllll!....Looks who is talking about negative posts....No, don't need your boots on , I am a retired detective , believe what you want....By the way , Expressing your legal rights is not being uncooperative, but, being naïve and uninformed about the law and every citizens rights may be viewed as foolish.....If the shoe fits.

 

So then why do so many law enforcement officers get so pissy when you enforce your rights? I've had a few runs ins, and have expressed my rights at the fullest extent. During those times the law enforcement officers were extremely pissy. Also, I watch a good amount of youtube videos..take those as great examples.

[tatertester]

They get pissy because they wanted to do things their way, no matter proper procedure....I have somewhat changed my view of law enforcement since retiring , and looking at things from the outside...Cops have a tendency to get high and mighty with a badge on and a gun on their side,consequently not always living up to their motto "To Protect and Serve", but , instead using their assigned power as an ego trip to some degree....Of course, not all officers, but, more than you might think.

[bassflyfisherman]

They can ask you for it that's why they tell you to keep your fishing license on you at all times.  I have had a license my whole life and I have NEVER been asked for it. Waste of money but the one year I don't get one will be the time I get fined for not having it and fishing

 

Don't think of it as a waste of money. You're still supporting conservation programs that support and enhance the fish population!

[bassflyfisherman]

On 7/15/2013 at 1:50 AM, AJMichigan said:

I've been curious about this but can't find anything online with a definitive answer, Can a regular law enforcement officer who is not DNR ask you for your fishing license?

 

When it comes down to it, if there is a law in your state, county, or city that requires a fishing license, any law enforcement agent / peace officer has the ability to write a citation for not abiding by those laws. In reality, a peace officer of any sort - police, game warden, DNR officer, etc. - can write a citation for violation of any law. A DNR officer could write you a ticket for speeding, even if you aren't in any sort of park.

 

A couple quick examples explicitly stating police officers can ask for your license are below. As I mentioned above, as long as your state has an item in it's code requiring a license (it does), any peace officer charged with enforcing the state's codes can inspect your license.

New York: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2442.html

 

[SirSnookalot]

I obey the law, I don't concern myself. If they want to check let them do so and that's the end of it, I have nothing to hide.

[Bluebasser86]

I obey the law, I don't concern myself. If they want to check let them do so and that's the end of it, I have nothing to hide.

That's the way I've always felt. I'm glad they're out there checking people. I don't understand why some feel the need to question everything a person with any authority is doing, unless you have something to hide. I know if I ask someone to see something and they ask why or begin to question me it sets my alarms off. If an officer is doing something that is over the line I could understand the concern but if they're just doing their job and asking to see that you have the appropriate permits and licenses and you are following the rules and have all those then why not show them and they can be on their way and you can go about your day? Seems to me a lot of the same people that complain about being "harassed" when they get checked for their licenses are the same ones that complain about officers not catching every violation and not doing their jobs. I've had many pleasant conversations with Game Wardens during and after being checked and have even been tipped off about hot bites by them since they travel all over the state doing their jobs. 

[0119]

25 years as a Fl. cop, all on the road. I checked hundreds of fishing licenses. State wildlife was few and far in between especially after 9/11 when they basically became free harbor patrol for the feds.  The present governor wont even allow them to use gasoline for their boats half the time.  You know, republican, keep big brother to a minimum.  I never had an angler become offended by my asking.  Most thought it as a positive.  Sure there are cops who instantly set folks off just by the way they ask for i.d.  Just like there are folks that set cops off by the way they assert their "rights" in their face.  Usually with a I pay your salary crap or the ever present your profiling me because of my color.  Your fishing license just like your drivers license ISNT A RIGHT, its a priviledge. One you have to earn and maintain buy obeying the law and being a committed sportsman.  Funny how a member of the bucket brigade wouldn't have a problem exhibiting their license but a "sportsman" with the latest Lew's/Shimano/Dobyn's gear filling their deck as they wear their bass mafia/underarmour pretty clothes, would.

[AK-Jax86]

Don't think of it as a waste of money. You're still supporting conservation programs that support and enhance the fish population!

Yea not as much as those who don't have a license and get caught and have to pay that hefty fine that some states impose.

[Ratherbfishing]

Based on some of the responses, I guess I'll respond this way:

Response 1) Why would you refuse unless you didn't actually have a fishing license? And if you do have a fishing license, why would you prefer to make your life (and the cops) more difficult than it has to be?

or

Response 2) Go ahead and refuse and you'll find out soon enough if the cop has jurisdiction. I think you'd find it was easier to just present it in the first place (refer back to response 1).

[Avalonjohn44]

I have had cops check mine in VA several times. No idea if they are supposed to, but I'm not gonna argue.

[flippin and pitchin]

I'm a " cop."  I do not "protect and serve."  I do provide services and assure that I and those officers I supervise, do not work outside of the US Constitution, Washington State Constitution and or Washington State Law.  I have worn a badge and carried " a gun " for 22 years and never felt I had any power for doing so.  Frankly any cop who isn't wearing their badge and carrying their side arm is stupid.  I have no power, only that authority granted to me, with condition,  by the State and within the state.  My City's Agency has entered into  Mutual Aid Agreements by letter with agencies in other jurisdictions within my state. 

 

In Washington, you are required to possess a fishing license at age 16 and various additional permits to fish for assorted species. Your Boat must be licensed. When you license a boat and or fish on PUBLIC waters you stipulate to showing a law enforcement officer you are in compliance. I am saddened by the commentary of some and one.  Your rights to search and seizure are subject to exemption every day. Each State chooses to broaden or narrow the scope of those rights as legislators and judges provide laws and case law in the interest of their citizens.

 

If you want to challenge " a cop ", go right ahead.  Please be sure you are knowledgeable before you do so.  The definition of wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge.  Be wise, always buy a fishing license and show it upon request.

[derekxec]

some officers are good some are bad....i know a few and they are the nicest guys in the world and i also know a few others and they think they can do anything they want

 

i think you should stand up for your rights because if you dont we wont have any rights

 

i had a run in with 2 boynton beach officers a couple years ago they were heading the opposite direction as me and busted a U turn right after they passed me and my friend and said my brake lights were out......so i got out and locked my door and had my friend push the brake to test so i could see...then the cop got mad cause i locked my door so he couldnt search my truck for no apparent reason lol...the one officer wanting to search my truck actually looked like he was wired out on cocaine too.....so he said he would get the dog to search and i said ok and bring a superior too and they just left lol

 

im all for good cops but the bad ones make me have to hassle the good ones cause i know my rights...i dont mess with your rights so dont mess with mine

[tomustang]

I wish mine did, we have too many poachers and a severely undermanned fish commission. Local law enforcement has enough on their plates.

[moguy1973]

In Missouri, the water patrol is also state highway patrol who are cops, and yeah, they ask for your fishing license. And not that it's happened to me, but they will ticket you for not having one.

[MitchTBF]

Here in NJ if I have a knife (Fixed 5 inch maximum blade length) on my belt I must have proof it is a tool for an activity I am either doing at the moment or on the way to or from. So if a cop sees me get out of my car with a knife on my belt he can check if I have a fishing license and actually on the way to a fishing spot, actually fishing, or on the way home from fishing. If I stop along the way and go into a store, I'm supposed to remove the knife from my belt.

[flyfisher]

Here in VA i have been asked at boat ramps for a fishing license.  I ahev also been advised when chatting with the game warden that they have the same capabilities as a police officer as far as traffic violations etc but they rarely use them inless it is an add on from another crime they are pursuing/investigating.

 

I also do not even have a paper copy of my license on me but i do have the digital version stored on my phone.   I was asked for my fishing license once and showed him the PDF on my iPhone and he said that was ok.  I asked if it was ok to have it this way and he said technically you are supposed ot have a paper copy but he couldn't imagine why anyone would have a problem with the digital copy.

[AK-Jax86]

A cop came to a pond I was fishing last night.  He didn't ask me for my fishing license.  He just said he got a call and he was just asking me to leave.  He did run my driver's license which is understandable

[SirSnookalot]

A cop came to a pond I was fishing last night.  He didn't ask me for my fishing license.  He just said he got a call and he was just asking me to leave.  He did run my driver's license which is understandable

If it was private property a fishing license is probably not required, especially if the state does not manage or have supervision over the body of water.

[AK-Jax86]

If it was private property a fishing license is probably not required, especially if the state does not manage or have supervision over the body of water.

 

So if I was fishing a pond on the side of the highway where there are no posted signs, and I have a license I would be good if a cop came?

[BassinLou]

Not necessarily AK. The spot I went to yesterday was on the side of the highway, my car was parked well away of traffic and the pond is also well away from traffic. No signs were posted any where. For fishing or parking. I had my fishing license and drivers license on me. The officer didn't even ask for any of those. He just told me to leave period.

[SirSnookalot]

Not necessarily AK. The spot I went to yesterday was on the side of the highway, my car was parked well away of traffic and the pond is also well away from traffic. No signs were posted any where. For fishing or parking. I had my fishing license and drivers license on me. The officer didn't even ask for any of those. He just told me to leave period.

I think he over stepped his bounds.

[BassinLou]

Snook, after I came off the high of landing the 6lb bass I pulled out of there. I was left scratching my head. I really want to know why I cannot fish there. I would understand if it was fenced in like some of those ponds are but that was not the case. Some have researched since yesterday, and no one can come up with an answer. Maybe its a safety thing??

[SirSnookalot]

As far as I know we can fish any roadside pond or canal if it's public water, people are jumping the curb all the time down here to fish.  If you or you car is not interfering with traffic, where's the interest in safety.  Happens again get his badge number and call it in, not that will do any good.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Snook, I read something yesterday that stated it was illegal to park on the side of the road along the turnpike unless you are broke down or have an emergencie. Nothing says it is illegal to fish the waters that I can find.

I asked the troopers along the St.Lucie and Indian River county sections and got the okay. He just said to pay the tolls. This was approx. 4-5 yes ago.