"angler' Busted Over The Limit"

[Stoneroller]

http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/angler-caught-over-limit-jackson-s-rotary-lake

JACKSON, Mo. -- An angler at Jackson’s Rotary Lake was recently found in possession of a massive over limit of trout according to a local conservation agent.

“When I asked why he had caught and kept so many fish, he responded that he hadn't really thought that he was hurting anything and just wanted to have a fish fry for his friends,” reported Russell Duckworth, the local Protection District Supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

According to Duckworth, although the angler didn’t intend harm, the number of fish put into the lake is limited and once the fish are caught and gone, there won't be more until the following fall. He said the daily limit is set to provide an equal opportunity to everyone to get out and enjoy the local fishery.

In an effort to provide local trout fishing opportunity in Cape Girardeau County, MDC and the city of Jackson have an agreement to stock trout in the Jackson Rotary Lake. The fish are purchased in a joint effort between both MDC and the city.

According to MDC fisheries management biologist, Mike Reed, approximately 1,900 trout, as well as a number of ‘lunkers’, were stocked in November of 2010. Catch-and-release only methods were allowed until trout season opened the first of February. In order to possess and keep trout, anglers must have a valid fishing permit and also a trout fishing permit. An angler’s daily limit for trout at Rotary Lake is four, which means that a person cannot catch and keep more than four trout on any given day. The possession limit for trout is eight, which means that an angler can possess no more than eight trout at any time. If an angler catches a limit of four trout in one day, then catches another limit of four on another day, they cannot catch and keep any more trout until they either eat or properly give away the eight trout already in their possession, according to the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

Duckworth said the vast majority of hunters and anglers are law abiding and appreciate opportunities to enjoy Missouri’s many great places to hunt and fish.

“As with any other opportunity provided to our citizens, there are a few who take advantage for their own benefit,” Duckworth said, adding that conservation agents regularly receive calls from anglers on the lake concerning people who keep more than their limit of fish or make multiple trips to the lake in a day's time to conceal that they are taking more than their share of fish.

“We appreciate when people who care about the resource help us and let us know when they see a possible violation concerning fish and wildlife,” Duckworth said. The current over-limit case is under investigation, so further information is not available at this time.

The MDC’s 24-hour per day Operation Game Thief hotline, 1-800-392-1111, enables citizens to report information confidentially. If an arrest is made, the reporting party may even receive a reward for their efforts. Information may also be given to Russell Duckworth at 225-9403, the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at 290-5730, or the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office at 243-3551.

[gotmuddy]

so was he not fined?

[Stoneroller]

they are "investigating" WTF!??? I really hope that's some kind of joke coming from MDC. Last time I checked wildlife code violations were 'strict liability' laws. MDC doesn't have to prove guilt, the fact that you have been caught/ticketed by an agent is proof of guilt.

[exiledguide]

they are "investigating" WTF!??? I really hope that's some kind of joke coming from MDC. Last time I checked wildlife code violations were 'strict liability' laws. MDC doesn't have to prove guilt, the fact that you have been caught/ticketed by an agent is proof of guilt.

I don't know how it works in MO any more since I lived in Arkansas for 8 years and prosecuting attorneys alwaysfound reasons not to bring these folks to court depending on "whatever". I guess money talks here too.

[laker67]

Have we heard from JD lately?

If I read those regulations correctly, it looks as if they do not require a trout stamp to fish catch and release. I suppose that during warmer weather, anglers might be fishing for perch or bass.

[jdmidwest]

It is catch and release, artificial lures only till Feb 1st, you must have a trout stamp to fish anytime during the trout portion the way I read it. After that it is catch and keep till they are gone. We only get one stocking here.

I have not been there since around Christmas, it has been froze over. That day, there was a guy fishing with corn but left when he heard me calling a friend for a local agent's number. The guy that got caught was probably the one rumored to fish in the morning, lunch, and after work and keep 3 limits. Glad they caught him. It was not like it was a secret, he liked to brag about it at the local bait shop. I have only fished it once in the past on the Feb 1 opener with a friend and his 2 sons, we were checked by the local agent that day. Otherwise, the Park and Rec guy comes by and checks on things from time to time.

I actually fished it more this year with my daughter after work than ever, but that stopped with the time change in Nov. We went by there a couple of times on the weekend till it froze out.

[laker67]

It is catch and release, artificial lures only till Feb 1st, you must have a trout stamp to fish anytime during the trout portion the way I read it. After that it is catch and keep till they are gone. We only get one stocking here.

. That day, there was a guy fishing with corn but left when he heard me calling a friend for a local agent's number.

Good for you JD, I just put that # in my phone this morning. Thanks for regulation update as well.

[gotmuddy]

Since I have started fishing out on the rivers I have not seen a single game warden. I have been out dozens of times too. White, buffalo, or eleven point.

[jdmidwest]

Good for you JD, I just put that # in my phone this morning. Thanks for regulation update as well.

I keep the agents for the counties in my PDA, but not my phone and I did not have it that day. But, sound carries over water and the guy heard me on the phone while a friend was looking it up on the net.

The Game Thief number takes a little longer, they have to go thru channels to get to the agent. If you call the agent direct and he is close, you may get results. Otherwise, get detailed description, license #, or anything else that may help.

Ark. is pretty thin on agents, MDC has at least one per county. But they may be working other areas, on vacation, or in meetings. Spring River usually has 2 working on it from time to time. But they work nights on poachers, days on the stream, out in force on season openers for either hunting or fishing.

[The Tactician]

Keeping the local numbers in my phone is a good idea. I will have to get the numbers for the different locations that I fish. I don't want to be a snitch, and when a lot of us see an "angler" doing something against code it is easy to blow it off and just blame it on them being "good ole boys", but fishing is very important to me. I want my son to be able to catch the same type of beautiful fish, in the same beautiful locations that I have for the last 25 or so years. It is up to us to help.