Caught without a License

[bassmasta7]

Luckily, I have a fishing license but a kid at school who rarely fishes was caught at a public lake without one. The ranger gave him a ticket. I was wondering if anyone else has been caught without one or knows how much the fine is? IMOI think it is stupid that people who fish once a year for bluegill (and arent gonna catch anything) have to pay a fine.

[Guest avid]

It is absoulutely for the benefit of all that fishing licences are required.  Most states, (but not all) will return a portion of the license revenue to the resource.  That means part of the license money goes for improving the fishing.

as far as fishing once a year.  How does the ranger know that?  Should he take the anglers word for it  :

[Muddpuppy]

Here you can get what they call a Day Plus licence package that can be purchased for one or more specified days.

[Pa Angler]

PA has two free days a year to expose people to fishing and experience the thrill of catching fish. Are there any more states out there that do the same? I think it's a good deal.

Chow

The Pa Angler

[KenDammit28]

I know that Kentucky does it...I think its one day at the beginning of April where people are allowed to fish without a license. After that day, the wardens are like nazi's over fishing licenses. They will follow boats forever, just waiting to see if they're going to fish and then roll up and ask to see licenses if they see a pole. If caught without one..confiscation happens, no questions asked...thats been my experience.  Luckily, I have never fished without a license but have been asked to show mine more than a few times.

[paparock]

Here in Arkansas they have one weekend each year where you can fish without a license. Remember that the money from the license fees in most states go back into maintaining the fishery to pay for things like stocking the fish you might catch. The same can be said for the sale taxes on fishing tackle.

If he only received a ticket he should be thankful. Some locals got caught boating down a local river spot lighting game at night. They lost their boats, trailers, all tackle and their vehicles. It only takes a minute to check the laws and buy the license but not doing so can bring years of regret if you lose hunting and fishing privileges, pay fines and lose expensive gear.

Personally I don't mind paying and in fact donate money and time to aid the Arkansas Game and Fish. These guys make very little pay and deal with more armed citizens than any other law enforcement agency. Most are good guys that don't abuse their authority but when one does it sure gives them all a bad name. When comes right down to it fish or hunting without a license is stealing from all the rest of us that do always pay. I know some will say what if a man is feeding his family and can't afford the price of a license. Well I guess I would have to question if he could not afford a license how is he affording to fish? But then some of the Game Wardens I know are such good men that if they knew a man really could not afford a license and was in the straits that if he caught no fish his kids would go to bed hungry. They would buy him a license out of their own pocket. I have seen it at the resort I once owned. So there is no really good excuse to get caught without a license. There are only excuses that make us feel better or justified about getting caught without one.

[Master_Hunter_1977]

I am from Oregon and I know here that the ticket can be as much as $300.  I think its good that its that much.  I think it doesn't matter if you fish once or twice you should buy a license.

Scott

[Rattlinrogue]

In Ms you can get a 3 day license or a week license, but a whole year's license is only $7.00.

[Guest avid]

WEll Bassmasta7.  The Forum has spoken.

Still think it's stupid?

I hope you can educate your friend.

And why not teach him how to bass fish while your at it  

[ScootZilla]

In Ms you can get a 3 day license or a week license, but a whole year's license is only $7.00.

Man i wish i was you only 7 bucks.Here in Indianapolius it is like double that for a year pass.

Scoot

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I got caught years ago in VT when I first moved there.  Went out to investigate some of the ponds I saw in the area.  Had every intention of buying one, this was just an exploratory ride.

Made a few casts at the wrong place and the wrong time.  Took my gear for 1 yr, $50 fine and couldn't get a license in VT for 1yr.

Lesson learned

[RLinNH]

OUCH LBH!!! Getting caught in NH is just as stiff though. They take whatever you have for gear, revoke your license for a year.

            In NH they have 1 free fishing day a year where you can go fish anything you want and not have to worry about a license. Also, kids under the age of 16 do not need a license. Good thing as A lot of my spare time as a kid was spent on a river chasing big shiners.  ;D

[Panamoka_Bassin]

In NY, or at least on Long Island, people mostly fish salt water, for which you don't need a license at all (unless you are going to sell your catch).  Fresh water licenses are available in just about every tackle shop, though, as well as town/county halls and even at Wal-Mart.  I agree that there should be a hefty fine for fishing without, seeing as a yearly license is only $14.  There's a new program up here called a "Lifetime License", but at the moment the price evades me.  I'll probably sign up for that at the end of this year.

[FlyRod]

I have this belief that if a person thinks a fine is "Stupid", regardless of the clearly written and legally ordained ordinance that imposes it, said person will, himself, show up on the police/warden blotter sooner than later.

So, Bassmasta, how do ya' look in stripes ?

FlyTheLawAndOrderLovin'Rod

[Chris at Tech]

They can take your freakin' gear???  That seems a bit excessive to me...

My GF was visiting me in NJ and we got her a 1 day pass.  Lucky we did, because that was the first and only time I had ever seen rangers checking.  But the kicker was he didn't believe the license was legit...

[basser89]

MD has one or two "fish for free" days a year as well and also offer a 7 day license. I don't worry about it cause I get mine license within the first 2-3 days of the new year (can't go long without wetting some line!). I had a friend two years ago that accidently left his license in his car (which was about 500 yards from him at the time) and a park ranger gave him a $25 ticket for not having his license on him. I got stopped once a few years back with out my license in PA (was a spur of the moment outing and I had left all my gear in MD, including my license). Luckily, this ranger was pretty cool! All I had to do was fax a copy of my PA license to him.

[RLinNH]

Excessive? Some people think so Chris. But, it's tha law here in NH, and it's done all the time.

[Captain Cali]

PA has two free days a year to expose people to fishing and experience the thrill of catching fish. Are there any more states out there that do the same? I think it's a good deal.

Chow

The Pa Angler

California does the same thing. 2 free days each year.

1 Day California License = about $11

2 Day California License = about $17

1 Year California License = $34.90

2nd Rod Stamp = About $4

Saltwater Stamp = About $4

The license must be worn above your waist and visable for anyone to see.

I think if you're under 16 or a minor you can fish without a license if you're with a licensed adult.

I've heard rumors of fines being anywhere from $150 to $700 for fishing with out a license. I really don't know what to believe but I've heard the $700 number from a lot of people. I'm guessing it's up to the judge.

[goldenmonkey]

I've never even been asked by a ranger to see my liscense before, althoguh I always have one.  Ive been stopped and asked to see my boaters safety course certificate a couple times tho.

[Zebco202]

Here in Tennessee, we have a "Free Fishing Day" every year.  This year I think it's in June.  This is for anyone to fish without a license.  I think they have a an entire week where anyone under the age of 18 can fish without a license.

In-state License in Tennessee is $28

Out of state is $41

There is also an additional fee for Trout.

I think you have to have a license if your over 13 or 14.  Under that age you can fish without one.

[grove83]

Well lets put it this way.  If, in PA, you are caught "spotting" deer at night, during deer season, you lose your license, all your guns and you have to pay a fine.  So I think that losing your fishing gear is appropriate.  No matter how you look at it, you are poaching!  If I take my gun in the woods, without a license, "knowing" that I won't shoot anything, I'm STILL poaching.  Poaching=the illegal harvesting of wildlife, whether it be fish, deer, moose, elk, bear, or whatever you are "hunting".  Yes fishermen are hunters also.  That being said I think that the kid got off EASY.  We have to pay over 30 dollars, thats with the trout stamp, to fish.  Just my 2 cents.....

[Captain Cali]

 If I take my gun in the woods, without a license, "knowing" that I won't shoot anything, I'm STILL poaching.  Poaching=the illegal harvesting of wildlife, whether it be fish, deer, moose, elk, bear, or whatever you are "hunting".

How is it poaching if you don't harvest anything? You would have to shoot and kill something if you wanted to poach. So if I take a gun into to woods for PROTECTION and have no intention of shooting for the sake of hunting, I'm poaching? I don't get that... :-?

[grove83]

I should have said...."during the hunting season".  :-[  My point is that the kid had a line in the water....same if I was in the woods....sitting, waiting for an animal.   I am still in the act of attempting to harvest an animal illegally.  According to my uncle, a PGC officer, it is still poaching.  Although to be convicted...i'd have to at least shoot at an animal.  Fishing differs because the "shooting" is when the line is in the water.  That was just explained to me.  Bad choice of words....but you get my point.

[Rattletrap]

Georgia has three free days. June 3, June 10 and September 23, 2006. Goldenmonkey. We are not required to have a boaters safety course yet. I think it's good idea though, just like the Hunter Safety courses are.

[grove83]

correction....I didn't need to say during the hunting season.  If you are in the act of "hunting".  

Rattletrap- I agree!!! Although I don't if we have to have the boaters saftey course here.....I don't think we do but it is "recommended".