Fishing License

[Choporoz]

I get checked a couple/few times a year and am always glad for it.  VA, like Kansas mentioned above, also encourages reporting of violations.  I rather enjoy the emails I get from the state detailing poachers who've recently been arrested. 

How to Report a Violation

• Call 1-800-237-5712, or
• Email WildCrime@dgif.virginia.gov

When reporting try to provide as much information as possible, such as:

• What happened
• Where it happened, being as specific as possible
• Who was involved, describing persons (names if known), vehicles (license numbers are crucial), names of other witnesses
• When did it happen (date and time are very important!)

Don’t allow the actions of a few outlaws to tarnish the reputation of Virginia’s sportsmen and sportswomen!

https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/conservation-police/wildlife-violation/

[Log Catcher]

23 hours ago, geo g said:

Florida seniors don't need a license to fish freshwater.  A perk for being an old fart!  I certainly appreciate it after all those years of buying one.

Kentucky seniors license used to be free. Then they went to $5.00. This year they raised it to $12.00 and were wanting to raise it to $18.00. You don't get a break being old here anymore.

If tackle shops ever had to check for a license to sell you something they would have to accept a license from every state. If they didn't I wouldn't be able to go to Ohio or Indiana to BPS to buy anything. I would n't buy a license from another state if I wasn't fishing there.

[flg2010]

 

I am checked routinely.

 

However, that said, I fish a polluted river system along with small connected to river system ponds which you really cannot harvest anything out of without putting yourself at risk for all sorts of problems if you eat the fish.

 

I can understand being concerned about over harvesting on a healthy river, stream, or lake... but.. not on my river.

 

 

[jr231]

The main reason not selling tackle to people who don't have a license wouldn't work is because you don't need a license for private waters. I could spend all my free fishing time on private waters and I need no approval from law enforcement or the state.. 

 

[Ratherbfishing]

Is it possible?  I suppose.  Would you really make some people mad by doing so?  Yes.  Even IF I had my license (I always do), I'd be honked off if I was asked to show proof by a vendor.  And there are ENOUGH regulations on the books without more headaches to contend with.

[Raul]

In Mexico you don’t need a fishing license if you fish from shore only if you fish from a boat. I’ve fished for more than 4 decades, fished all over Mexico and the only place where once I was asked for my fishing license was at Zimapán, glad I had it with me, besides the cost isn’t that much, 50 dollars and it’s Federal ( you can fish in any state with it ). The law is the law, I do the right thing even if there’s nobody to police me.

[TnRiver46]

I get checked all the time. DNRs all claim to be underfunded but do you guys honestly believe that??? When is the govt ever short on cash? 

[Rahlow]

Amazes me you need a license to fish, get married, drive a car, but don't even need picture ID to vote,,,,,,,,

here you need no license to fish on private property so the license check would not work,

I see a Fishing License as a tax not called a tax.

[BassThumb]

I've never been checked for a license (or a livewell full of fish) in the ten years I've owned my boat. Only times I've ever been checked was once while icefishing and about five times while wade-fishing in the Mississippi River as a teenager. In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Game Wardens are spread pretty thin. That's a lot of accesses to staff.

[MrFrost]

I get the spirit behind the idea of the license check for purchasing gear, but the requirement for a fishing license is only in relation to the act of fishing, not owning the gear.  

 

I know this may not be a popular idea, but if for some reason you don't want to report this poacher, buy him a license and explain to him why you're doing so.  Personally, I'd not go that route, and I would report him or at the very least have a direct conversation with him and tell him his options.  

 

He's just one out of many, and one at a time poachers may seem insignificant but they all contribute to the entirety of the problem.  And slowly, the fishermen that follow the rules always end up paying the price.  

[J Francho]

So, my girlfriend has to get a fishing license in order to buy me a reel as a gift?  That isn't going to work.  Tell you what, instead of aiding and abetting all these people that you know fish without a license, call your DNR tip line.  Isn't that what this is about, finding some work around rather than ratting out your "friends."

[SDoolittle]

8 minutes ago, J Francho said:

So, my girlfriend has to get a fishing license in order to buy me a reel as a gift? 

That's what I was just thinking! Also, how would you show your license when ordering tackle online?

[geo g]

You need a fishing license to buy fishing gear!!!!  That's some crazy crap.  Its hard for me to believe that, I don't even need a license to fish freshwater in Florida.

[Tennessee Boy]

I've been checked by a Game Warden five times.  My license was only checked twice.  I guess it's because I did not have a line in the water when the Warden approached me.  They always check all the required safety items for the boat.  I've never had one check my live well.

[BassNJake]

I'll get checked all 3 days this weekend, then on the 4th of July and again on labor day weekend.

 

Seems like they are out in droves on the busy holiday weekends.

 

[Fishingmickey]

2 hours ago, BassNJake said:

I'll get checked all 3 days this weekend, then on the 4th of July and again on labor day weekend.

 

Seems like they are out in droves on the busy holiday weekends.

 

Your spot on, Usually when there are the most drunken boaters are out and the most water related fatalities occur.  Just like the highway patrol.