Fishing License

[Glaucus]

A lot of people fish without a fishing license, and unfortunately I personally know quite a few of them. Since a license is technically required in order to fish public waters, just as a valid ID and appropriate age is required to purchase and drink alcohol, would it be possible or even logical for retailers to begin "carding" buyers when they go to purchase fishing supplies, to see if they have a valid license? Just a thought I had. There's a guy who harvests everything he catches, no matter the species or size, from a pond we like to go to, and he's blatantly admitted to not having a license because, to him, it's "stupid" to have to pay for a God given right, so it's been on my mind a lot lately.

[BuzzHudson19c]

3 minutes ago, Glaucus said:

would it be possible or even logical for retailers to begin "carding" buyers when they go to purchase fishing supplies, to see if they have a valid license? Just a thought I had.

Possible? yes

 

Logical? No

 

Let's let retailers do what they do and simply sell merchandise and not turn them further into an arm of the state.

[soflabasser]

10 minutes ago, Glaucus said:

A lot of people fish without a fishing license, and unfortunately I personally know quite a few of them. Since a license is technically required in order to fish public waters, just as a valid ID and appropriate age is required to purchase and drink alcohol, would it be possible or even logical for retailers to begin "carding" buyers when they go to purchase fishing supplies, to see if they have a valid license? Just a thought I had. There's a guy who harvests everything he catches, no matter the species or size, from a pond we like to go to, and he's blatantly admitted to not having a license because, to him, it's "stupid" to have to pay for a God given right, so it's been on my mind a lot lately.

A law is only as good as the people who are enforcing it. It sounds to me that the area this man fishes without a license has poor enforcement and its the main reason he gets away with poaching. Maybe you should contact your local DNR and give them the location this guy likes to poach and maybe then they might be able to catch him.

[Falkus]

10 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

A law is only as good as the people who are enforcing it. It sounds to me that the area this man fishes without a license has poor enforcement and its the main reason he gets away with poaching. Maybe you should contact your local DNR and give them the location this guy likes to poach and maybe then they might be able to catch him.

 

As you dont have to give them your name - Just call them on the payphone if you are worried about them tracking you. 

[greentrout]

Fish some state parks & fishing lakes and law enforcement WILL be there checking for license and proper boating regulations...glad to see it...

[MIbassyaker]

31 minutes ago, Glaucus said:

A lot of people fish without a fishing license, and unfortunately I personally know quite a few of them. Since a license is technically required in order to fish public waters, just as a valid ID and appropriate age is required to purchase and drink alcohol, would it be possible or even logical for retailers to begin "carding" buyers when they go to purchase fishing supplies, to see if they have a valid license? Just a thought I had. There's a guy who harvests everything he catches, no matter the species or size, from a pond we like to go to, and he's blatantly admitted to not having a license because, to him, it's "stupid" to have to pay for a God given right, so it's been on my mind a lot lately.

 

1. Bad policy -- retailers would lose business from the sale of fishing gear that would otherwise have been used completely legally. Among other things, you wouldn't be able to stock up on supplies if your license expired and you hadn't bought a new one yet. And non-license holders wouldn't be able to buy fishing gear as gifts to the anglers in their lives.  It makes no sense to burden retailers with enforcement of a law that doesn't itself directly apply to purchases. There is no law preventing me from owning fishing gear, or purchasing more of it, if I don't have a license.

 

2. State natural resource agencies are fully aware that illegal possession and harvest will always occur with some frequency, and they cannot prevent it all. This is factored into their decisions about licensing and creel limits, given their own best assessment of the rate of compliance, and how well they can enforce regulations. They enforce what they can, but they won't catch every violation, and they know this.

 

3. It bothers me that I have never in my life been asked to show my fishing license, anywhere I have fished (MN, WI, MI, ND, SD, CA, NJ).  I make it a point to know the regulations and follow them, not because I'm worried about being caught, but because I believe in the management and preservation of fisheries as a public good. If I am not being checked by authorities, I think of all the violators who are also not being checked. but I can't worry about them -- they are taking a risk that I am not, and the extent of that risk is already well-known to the authorities.

[Sam]

Been checked twice in Virginia.

 

Once on the Chickahominy Lake and the second time at Sandy Creek.

 

Both times the DGIF guys were great! After checking my license we discussed fishing and the local waters.

 

Seems the Virginia conservation officers will not waste their time on bass boats unless they think you are drinking or see an unsafe activity.  They do target jet skis as there are lots of owners and drivers that do not have their Safe Boating Certificate or they consume alcohol.

 

With only 120 conservation officers in Virginia it is impossible to have a strong presence so in many locals the local police or sheriff departments help patrol the waters.

 

P.S.  In Virginia, don't drink or do stupid stuff at the mouth of the Appomattox where it meets the Historic James River. You will get caught.

[soflabasser]

5 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

It bothers me that I have never in my life been asked to show my fishing license, anywhere I have fished (MN, WI, MI, ND, SD, CA, NJ).  I make it a point to know the regulations and follow them, not because I'm worried about being caught, but because I believe in the management and preservation of fisheries as a public good. If I am not being checked by authorities, I think of all the violators who are also not being checked. 

I have noticed this when I fish other states on vacation and have not been checked. Most states don't have enough DNR on the water to check most fishermen and this needs to be fixed. Florida has much better enforcement and I am asked to show my freshwater, saltwater, lobstering, snook stamp licenses several times a year while I am fishing in both freshwater and saltwater locations.

[NYWayfarer]

I have been asked to show my license twice in the many years I have been fishing. I always have it. 

 

As others have said there is a shortage of officers to enforce. One of the YouTube fishermen I watch was talking about how in his area there is one officer to patrol a huge area of Pennsylvania. 

[N Florida Mike]

I did not get a freshwater licence in Florida until I was 21, because of a rebellious nature. I never got asked to produce a license , and did have many close calls, fishing all over North and central Fl.

One day I felt strongly impressed to get a license and did so. The SAME DAY I got it, We were launching at Orange lake and THE MAN asked me. I started chuckling, and told him my tale, while producing my brand new , freshly printed license.He was not amused.

Ever since then, I have done my best to stay within the law, after seeing where the money goes to fishery and wildlife.

I believe without a doubt I am blessed to catch a lot of fish because of this compliance . I call it reaping what I've sown. Some would call it karma.

If I saw someone not in compliance, I wouldn't hesitate to call on them, unless they were possibly fishing to survive or just naive. But I would definitely speak to them about it .

But we already have way too much Gov. Involvement imo, so I would be opposed to stores asking for your license, and for all the other good reasons mentioned above.

 

[Landis Carrier]

I live in Pa but fish in Pa, NY and NJ and I get a license for each state. It's a small price to pay for doing "what's right". There's always going to be those, IMO, a$$holes who don't think they need to pay the small cost of being legal. 

[soflabasser]

1 hour ago, N Florida Mike said:

 I have done my best to stay within the law, after seeing where the money goes to fishery and wildlife.

I believe without a doubt I am blessed to catch a lot of fish because of this compliance . I call it reaping what I've sown. Some would call it karma.

If I saw someone not in compliance, I wouldn't hesitate to call on them, unless they were possibly fishing to survive or just naive. But I would definitely speak to them about it .

 

We are blessed to live in the fishing capital of the world and it is our best interest to protect our fisheries for us and the next generations to come. The bass fishing right now in South Florida is better overall than when I was a child and I see it getting better as time progresses. I am certain I will surpass all my largemouth bass fishing PB's as time passes and I won't have to leave Florida to do so!

[Darren.]

When I lived in NY, I never got checked, ever.

(Clarification: I always bought a license and was

keenly aware of how tough they would be if I 

were caught w/o one. NY is tough, I just never

got checked.)

 

Here in VA, I've been checked at least a half-dozen

times, not just for license, but for launch permits, 

and so forth.

 

Our Rangers don't mess around, I've seen some

get caught for even fishing in areas not designated

as "shoreline" fishing. One thing they could do 

better, IMO, is clearly mark areas for "boat launch

only - no fishing from shore" etc.

 

As for carding to buy fishing gear, I would say it is

a much bigger can of worms than for say, alcohol.

I'm all for smart regulations, though.

 

I second the thought of an anonymous tip-off to 

the local authorities on the poacher....

Edited May 13, 2018 by Darren.
Clarification

[MassYak85]

I don't think carding for fishing gear is really possible without severely limiting sales. I've bought fishing gear while visiting family in Iowa...I have never fished in Iowa and do not have an Iowa license, So I am not sure how you would do that. Plus I'm sure it would be a major burden on online retailers to get the license database synced up with all 50 states. 

 

IMO, at least here in MA the DFG is just not funded well and don't have enough people to patrol. I'd say if the guy is a frequent offender just keep reporting it. 

[Turtle135]

I have been checked twice in Maryland so far this season by DNR and once by WSSC checking for the required fishing/boating permit. I think these guys are following me around to fish my spots! 

[Gundog]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

 

As others have said there is a shortage of officers to enforce. One of the YouTube fishermen I watch was talking about how in his area there is one officer to patrol a huge area of Pennsylvania. 

There are more than most people know or see. I've known and know 3 people who are or where part of the fish & boat commissions enforcement arm. My best friend and his FIL are both PA waterways conservation officers. Most of the time they try not to be seen unless they need to nab someone. 

[soflabasser]

16 minutes ago, Gundog said:

There are more than most people know or see. I've known and know 3 people who are or where part of the fish & boat commissions enforcement arm. My best friend and his FIL are both PA waterways conservation officers. Most of the time they try not to be seen unless they need to nab someone. 

One of my fishing buddies is a Ranger in one of the national parks down here. He tells me that Rangers and other conservation officers often dress up like fishermen and fish close to you to make sure you are following the law. He is very passionate about his job and I have his phone number to call if I see any poachers in the area I am fishing in. He loves his job and keeps one of the areas I fish safe so I am glad to see him when he patrols the area I fish.

[LCG]

That drives me crazy. Here in Ontario, our licence fees go towards restocking and enforcement. Originally I thought it was a money grab but now that I understand it better I am all for it. 

 

Call your local DNR or whatever it's called and report the pond location and times the guy is there. Here in Ontario the fines are severe. Licence suspension, monetary fines (sometimes thousands of dollars), seizure of equipment, vehicles, boats, etc. 

 

Also here in Canada, you can not buy ammunition without a firearms licence. Similar idea. 

[keagbassr]

1 hour ago, MassYak85 said:

IMO, at least here in MA the DFG is just not funded well and don't have enough people to patrol

This is probably true. Unfortunately for me the epo lives across the street from my favorite pond. He's already checked me twice this year and last year twice in five days. 

[Angry John]

I have and will always have a license.  It angers me to see state's gouge the honest people who try and do the right thing out of state.  There should be one price for a year for everyone.  A reasonable price for a two day or one week would increase compliance considerably.  My home state of California may be the worst about this but I don't know that as fact.  I like the NY rule about display while on the water, makes for quick easy enforcement.

[Bassin' Brad]

11 hours ago, Burke said:

 

As you dont have to give them your name - Just call them on the payphone if you are worried about them tracking you. 

What's this strange device called "payphone" you speak of? ?lol

 

I think they make apps for things like that. 

[12poundbass]

13 minutes ago, Bassin' Brad said:

What's this strange device called "payphone" you speak of? ?lol

 

I think they make apps for things like that. 

I thought the same thing when I first read. I don't remember the last time I saw a payphone. 

[Armtx77]

I have bought a combo hunting/fishing license, evey year for the last 24 years.

 

Once upon a time, a sportsman was assured that every dollar of that money, was going to be spent by the DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES, within that state.

 

In the last decade, these funds have either been partially or fully transfed to a general fund and that I have a problem with.

 

As stated by the OP. We probably have all seen the guy with no license, and no regard for established creel laws. Between hunting and fishing, I probably spend a 1/4 of the year afield...I have never been stopped buy a Conservation Officer...not once.

 

We need more agents, the money to be pu back into OUR system. As we pay for it, through a forced donations. The state pays to restock lakes and rivers. Yet we have to deal with knuckle draggers that fry up 10" bass and 6" crappie, but cant be bothered with 20.00 donation to make sure he can keep being a bum.

 

Frustrating.

 

 

 

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, Turtle135 said:

I have been checked twice in Maryland so far this season by DNR and once by WSSC checking for the required fishing/boating permit. I think these guys are following me around to fish my spots! 

That is not a bad strategy!

 

I have had my license checked twice this year, both times on weekday mornings.  I was randomly by Rocky Gorge the day it opened and there was a officer there checking for permits and the second time I was fishing a large rat lure and I suspect he walked over just to get a look at it as he seemed more interested in it then looking at my license.  

 

I suspect that most of MD's manpower goes to chasing guys poaching crabs/oysters/stripers, so it's allways surpising when I see someone checking at freshwater spots.  

[greentrout]

Resident - Each resident of the State of Mississippi ages sixteen (16) to sixty-four (64), fishing in the fresh or marine waters of Mississippi, including lakes and reservoirs but NOT to include privately owned ponds and streams, shall be required to buy a fishing license.  A saltwater license is required south of U. S. Highway 90 and a freshwater or saltwater license is valid between I-10 and U. S. Highway 90.  Saltwater license is not valid north of I-10.   Any person sixty-five (65) or older, or any person otherwise exempted from obtaining a fishing license, must have documentation with him/her at all times while fishing as described in Exemptions [MS. Code 49-7-9].  However, Effective July 1, 2010, residents sixty-five (65) years of age or older are required to purchase a saltwater fishing license if fishing South of U.S. Highway 90.  The Senior Saltwater License is a lifetime privilege.