Had a run in with the Game Warden today

[Raul]

When you are in Rome do what romans do.

I 've caught trout on practically every lure I have in my T-box ( man those yellow Heddon Sonics murder trout down here ) with the exception of jigs while fishing for bass up in the sierra, heck even caught catfish too. So most lures are not that species specific, the catch any predatory fish.

If you are fishing in waters where there are other predatory fish aside from bass and those fish require the purchase of a stamp then you get the stamp ..... just in case the warden shows up, better once blushed than a thousand times pale.

[Bassin_0502]

In Delaware there are several streams which are stocked with trout; trout do not naturally occur in these waters. So if you want to fish in these streams, you need a Trout Stamp, regardless of whether you're targeting them or not. From the regs:

"...required to have a trout stamp ($ 4.20) when fishing in a designated trout stream on or between the first Saturday in April and June 30 and on or between the first Saturday in October and November 30 of the same year."

Off topic a little, but we also have to have a FIN (Fisherman Information Network) which is just a registration number indicating that you intend (or not) to fish or crab DE waters (fresh or salt). No charge (yet), but you do need to get a new number each season.

[farmpond1]

He probably didn't give you a ticket simply because you didn't have a trout in your possession.  But, as to whether he actually believed you weren't trout fishing is a different matter.  There wouldn't be much of a need for game wardens if everyone was honest.  No one wants to be accused of dishonesty or of violating the law (and his bedside manner doesn't sound like the best) but try not to take it personally.

Oh, and I wouldn't tempt fate a second time.  Either get a trout stamp or stop using small spoons.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I would have given you a ticket.

Then I would have showed up to court and had a laugh, at your expense, when the judge tells you that a Kastmaster is a commonly recognized TROUT lure and you were insulting his intelligence by suggesting otherwise.

I realize the lure catches any number of gamefish, but there is a difference between it and 7" power worm or even a dropshot bait.

Either buy a stamp or fight the ticket when you eventually get one.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Mattlures, what I'm saying is, there was no infraction. You can use whatever lure of choice you wish for bass or any other species. Matt I know you make lures, is not possible while using one your baits for bass another species hits that lure? Many packages will say good for bass, trout, walleye and so on, down here the packages say good for redfish, snook, tarpon and trout.

This warden was out of line, with no proof of any wrongdoing..are we not innocent until proven guilty?

Having a trout stamp in the first place would have been good move, especially if required in that state.

You are correct but at the time of the ticket, it is not the burden of the warden to PROVE anything.  Suspicion is enough to warrant a ticket, whether you like it or not.

[SDoolittle]

This is from the Arizona fishing regulations:

A trout stamp validates a general or lifetime Class A license for the take of trout. This stamp is required for Class A licensees to fish for or possess trout in any water of the state where trout are found.

It is kind of vague, and for that reason, it sounds to me like it's up to the game warden's discretion. If I saw someone fishing with a kastmaster in a lake known to hold trout, I would assume that he was fishing for trout. Do yourself a favor and buy the stamp.

[Mattlures]

Snook I agree that he did not brak a law because he did not have a trout in posession. However if your a game warden and you come up on a guy who does not have a trout stamp that IS targeting trout what do you think his excuse is going to be? Of course he is going to say he was fishing for a different type of fish. I am sure that warden has heard that before. It sounds like the warden didn't believe him and under the circumstances, I think that is reasonable.  It doesnt seem like either side did anything wrong but If I was the warden I would certainly be suspicious and I would have been asking questions too. Then I would have went away and hid and wathced with binos just to make sure.

[grimlin]

I gotta agree with Mattlures here.

Game warden was just doing his job.Plain and simple.

[Dan:]

I gotta agree with Mattlures here.

Game warden was just doing his job.Plain and simple.

Seriously...A guy is fishing with a trout lure in trout water. I can understand his actions completely.

[toolpush]

Even though I rarely fish any waters in my home state I always purchase the trout stamp and also we have an optional habitat improvement stamp along with the purchase of fishing license because you never know plus all monies help to improve our fisheries.

[FishingBuds]

Sounds like he was teaching you a lesson, now your one up in it.

[Jake.]

A Kastmaster is one of the most common trout lures. You have to look at it from the warden's prospective. Imagine how many people who don't have a trout stamp tell him "I wasn't fishing for trout" when they really were. If you are going to fish trout lures in waters with trout, you should probably have a trout stamp, even if you aren't fishing for them.

[Hammer 4]

How much is a trout stamp..?

[RichF]

I had a similar run in here in NY. During the fall and early spring, steelhead and browns run up the tribs from lake ontario. My dad and I catch them on bass tackle and cranks. I've had game wardens tell me you can't catch trout on cranks and that we were intentionally trying to catch the walleye that come up with the trout. The fact is, any lure can catch just about any fish and the fact that this warden told me you can't catch trout on cranks proves they aren't all that knowledgeable. Unless you have fish in your possession that are out of season, I don't see any reason you should get a ticket or even the threat of a ticket.

[airborne_angler]

How much is a trout stamp..?

A general Resident License (Class A) is $23.50 and a Trout Stamp is an additional $15.75

[airborne_angler]

I had a similar run in here in NY. During the fall and early spring, steelhead and browns run up the tribs from lake ontario. My dad and I catch them on bass tackle and cranks. I've had game wardens tell me you can't catch trout on cranks and that we were intentionally trying to catch the walleye that come up with the trout. The fact is, any lure can catch just about any fish and the fact that this warden told me you can't catch trout on cranks proves they aren't all that knowledgeable. Unless you have fish in your possession that are out of season, I don't see any reason you should get a ticket or even the threat of a ticket.

My additional gripe is if I was fishing with mealworms for Bluegill or Green Sunfish. We all Know Trout LOVE mealworms...Would I have gotten busted?

What about Fly Fisherman? I know some fly fisherman that only target Bluegills with their gear. Of course because the Fish are normally pretty small,the fly/hook has to be small as well.

I suppose the Warden would look down upon that as well??

I really think its a possession issue. If you have Trout on your person,and no Trout stamp...BUSTED.

I dont see why I should have to spend the extra $$$ "just in case"  I accidentally/coincidentally catch a  trout.

If I was a diehard and kept them,I totally agree with buying a stamp.

[90x]

this whole situation is he said he said. the warden would not have been able to prove he had hooked a trout had he not told him.

There would have been no problem had you not told him.

I have to agree, it what you can prove.

What about fishing with worms, can catch any fish on that cant you?

Restrictions have to be expanded in their details. This whole situation is all coincidental. Would have been no problem had you not said anything.

I respect conservation, but this situation is not laid out on paper. It is all based on opinion of the situation.

[midnighthrasher]

How much is a trout stamp..?

A general Resident License (Class A) is $23.50 and a Trout Stamp is an additional $15.75

15.75........ cheap price to pay for peace of mind!!!!

[RichF]

I think he was warranted in questioning you but there was absolutely no need for threats. I understand they are doing their jobs and I appreciate that. If you're not keeping the fish though, I don't see any harm.

[airborne_angler]

I think he was warranted in questioning you but there was absolutely no need for threats. I understand they are doing their jobs and I appreciate that. If you're not keeping the fish though, I don't see any harm.

i just dont know...He mentioned something about Trout being very delicate and they dont do well when caught and released.That they normally die if they arent kept after catching them. I agree Trout are very delicate,not Hardy like a Bass or Catfish.

But the flip side to that is that alot of the fish die naturally due to just the warmer temps of the water. "Some" do survive though. I cant be held responsible for the fish that die naturally on their own and which ones survive,that I may catch while throwing a small crankbait or Dropshot.

[RichF]

So if you have a trout stamp and you hook a trout and it dies (if you release it), is that better than not have a stamp, hooking a trout, releasing it, and having it die? I don't like his reasoning. 

[Hammer 4]

How much is a trout stamp..?

A general Resident License (Class A) is $23.50 and a Trout Stamp is an additional $15.75

15.75........ cheap price to pay for peace of mind!!!!

Agreed 

[Dan:]

I cant be held responsible for the fish that die naturally on their own and which ones survive,that I may catch while throwing a small crankbait or Dropshot.

Yes, you can; by paying for a trout stamp. That's EXACTLY why they require you buy one to fish trout waters.

[airborne_angler]

Here in AZ a trout stamp is Optional.

[Dan:]

Unless you take or attempt to take trout. You didn't have the intention to catch trout, but you used a popular trout lure in trout waters. I wouldn't expect the warden to know your intentions. I'm sure he's used to getting lied to, so I can see why he would expect you to have a trout stamp.