Can Cops Ask You For Your Fishing License? 2024
AJMichigan reply :
I've been curious about this but can't find anything online with a definitive answer, Can a regular law enforcement officer who is not DNR ask you for your fishing license?
wngan9447 reply :
I'm sure they can ask. If you don't have one, they will just call DNR. I don't think they can enforce anything.
I know of many officers that are fisherman. I'm sure they probably check here and there.
Bankbeater reply :
Yes. If they have jurisdiction over the waterway.
Bassbutt reply :
The Policeman are entrusted to enforce ALL laws for their jurisdiction, and, often are sworn in as deputy's for the county as well.....So , yes cops can ask for your license and arrest you if a violation has happened........DARN!
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 7/15/2013 at 8:41 PM, eddieg said:Also to add, game wardens, depending on state, have more power than regular police. DNR in Illinois are not required to obtain a search warrant to search your personal belongings like your Tackle box, car, boat and even your house in the broad spectrum.
That can't be right, unless something is in plain view in one of those places or a door is left ajar, then it would be a violation of someone's constitutional rights. If they believe there is evidence that may be destroyed they can enter and that may be how they'd be able to in a lot of situations because they're looking for illegally taken game that could be destroyed before they could get a warrant. The tackle box maybe, but no way I'd be knocking in any doors or popping any car doors without a warrant.
The main added power most wardens have is the ability to work the entire state instead of just a city or county to my knowledge.
To the OP, cops, deputies, and game wardens are all LEO's and all can ask to see your fishing license. The county I used to work for used deputies to patrol the parks and enforce game violations in place of park rangers or game wardens in fact.
slonezp reply :
On 7/15/2013 at 8:24 PM, eddieg said:Regular police do not have any jurisdiction to look for fishing licenses here in Illinois. I am sure it is different state by state.
This is not entirely true. If the police have jurisdiction over the waterway they can. The Lake County Sherriff patrols the Fox Chain along with the DNR and they have the right to ask for a license, check your livewells, and enforce safety regulations. The same goes for the Chicago Police Marine unit. There may be other waterways as well that I am not aware of.
newriverfisherman1953 reply :
I would not want to challenge them to find out. I think I would just hand over my license if asked.
BenB54 reply :
On 7/15/2013 at 8:41 PM, eddieg said:Also to add, game wardens, depending on state, have more power than regular police. DNR in Illinois are not required to obtain a search warrant to search your personal belongings like your Tackle box, car, boat and even your house in the broad spectrum.
It's the same way here in Texas.
AK-Jax86 reply :
They can ask you for it that's why they tell you to keep your fishing license on you at all times. I have had a license my whole life and I have NEVER been asked for it. Waste of money but the one year I don't get one will be the time I get fined for not having it and fishing
Chris at Tech reply :
On 7/15/2013 at 9:46 PM, newriverfisherman1953 said:I would not want to challenge them to find out. I think I would just hand over my license if asked.
Was thinking the same thing. If an officer approached you and asked for your license, is there any reason NOT to give it to him even if you think that the police don't have jurisdiction? Just seems silly to me to play games over something like this.
tatertester reply :
Wardens DO NOT have any more power than any other law enforcement person......All law enforcement actions are subject to the same search and seizure guidelines(via the US constitution and reviewed many times by the US supreme court)no matter their title or jurisdiction.....Wardens have a tendency to push things beyond the rules and bluff big time when it comes to search and seizure.....NEVER give your permission for them to search as you will have just given away your right to deny it....Don't buy the "you don't mind if I look in your vehicle do you?" routine, or " do the right thing and it will go better for you", or " I'll just get a search warrant anyway if you refuse", baloney...Let them get a search warrant IF THEY LEGALLY CAN!...AS I SAID, there are no special laws for wardons, they just want you to thinks so......Most people give away their rights when confronted thinking if they don't they will be in trouble...NOT!!!!!.....If you are in trouble, then your are in trouble, do not help the warden by giving him the evidence he needs to convict you......You will never be in legal difficulty by refusing to speak to the law or denying searches.....If they are so right, they will search you anyway...DONT HELP THEM!....They are asking or demanding because they need your cooperation.....Just politely deny and only give your identity information and license.....I'm a retired Police detective and have seen and heard about this type of thing 100's of times....The general public panics if much pressure is put on them by any law enforcement person.....Just say no ,and watch them squirm and get frustrated.
gallowaypt reply :
I had a cop ask me if I had one before. I said yes, and he left without seeing it.
Fish Chris reply :
Funny you should ask.....
Yes, as somebody mentioned, it has to do with jurisdiction. In my area, you would not even see a city cop in a fishing area > but you will often see Sherrifs ! In fact, we only have like 1 or 2 F&G Wardens in my county, and to even see one is rare. But we have a bunch of Sherrifs, and yea'.... they check for fishing license, issue citations, arrests, etc, all without even notifying a Warden. I guess if it were like a major F&G violation, they might at least notify the CA DFG, but for most things, they just handle it right there on the spot.
Fish
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
On 7/16/2013 at 12:51 AM, tatertester said:Wardens DO NOT have any more power than any other law enforcement person......All law enforcement actions are subject to the same search and seizure guidelines(via the US constitution and reviewed many times by the US supreme court)no matter their title or jurisdiction.....Wardens have a tendency to push things beyond the rules and bluff big time when it comes to search and seizure.....NEVER give your permission for them to search as you will have just given away your right to deny it....Don't buy the "you don't mind if I look in your vehicle do you?" routine, or " do the right thing and it will go better for you", or " I'll just get a search warrant anyway if you refuse", baloney...Let them get a search warrant IF THEY LEGALLY CAN!...AS I SAID, there are no special laws for wardons, they just want you to thinks so......Most people give away their rights when confronted thinking if they don't they will be in trouble...NOT!!!!!.....If you are in trouble, then your are in trouble, do not help the warden by giving him the evidence he needs to convict you......You will never be in legal difficulty by refusing to speak to the law or denying searches.....If they are so right, they will search you anyway...DONT HELP THEM!....They are asking or demanding because they need your cooperation.....Just politely deny and only give your identity information and license.....I'm a retired Police detective and have seen and heard about this type of thing 100's of times....The general public panics if much pressure is put on them by any law enforcement person.....Just say no ,and watch them squirm and get frustrated.
Retired police detective anonymously posting on a fishing forum advising against cooperating with law enforcement?
Please, allow me to put my boots on as I smell some poop. 
stratoliner92 reply :
When i lived in Montana the sheriff could and did issue citations ;-)
buzzfrog reply :
2 years ago, a cop called me to his car at the boat landing, early morning and I was fishing on actual ramp, scared I was in trouble but it was a Wednesday morning so no boats, he asked me what I was using and if I had a license, I said ya in my car, want me to go get them? he said no, just wondering. I always wondered if they could.
lmbfisherman reply :
On 7/15/2013 at 6:31 PM, Bankbeater said:Yes. If they have jurisdiction over the waterway.
This.
ChrisAW reply :
On 7/16/2013 at 12:51 AM, tatertester said:Wardens DO NOT have any more power than any other law enforcement person......All law enforcement actions are subject to the same search and seizure guidelines(via the US constitution and reviewed many times by the US supreme court)no matter their title or jurisdiction.....Wardens have a tendency to push things beyond the rules and bluff big time when it comes to search and seizure.....NEVER give your permission for them to search as you will have just given away your right to deny it....Don't buy the "you don't mind if I look in your vehicle do you?" routine, or " do the right thing and it will go better for you", or " I'll just get a search warrant anyway if you refuse", baloney...Let them get a search warrant IF THEY LEGALLY CAN!...AS I SAID, there are no special laws for wardons, they just want you to thinks so......Most people give away their rights when confronted thinking if they don't they will be in trouble...NOT!!!!!.....If you are in trouble, then your are in trouble, do not help the warden by giving him the evidence he needs to convict you......You will never be in legal difficulty by refusing to speak to the law or denying searches.....If they are so right, they will search you anyway...DONT HELP THEM!....They are asking or demanding because they need your cooperation.....Just politely deny and only give your identity information and license.....I'm a retired Police detective and have seen and heard about this type of thing 100's of times....The general public panics if much pressure is put on them by any law enforcement person.....Just say no ,and watch them squirm and get frustrated.
Or don't do anything illegal, and they can waste their time trying to find nothing. A retired police officer telling people how to make a police officers job harder? WTH is wrong with you?
Kevin22 reply :
A regular policeman can ask for it but you do not have to give it. If you say "I dont have one" they will radio the DNR. The city does not have any control on waterways, just land.
The county sheriff and his deputies can enforce fish and game laws as they have control of the waterways as well as the land.
The DNR can and will search any part of your house if they have reason to believe you have fish or wildlife in possession. But that is it, that is all they are allowed to look for without a search warrant. If they open a drawer and find a kilo of crack cocaine they cannot do a darn thing about it. If you refuse them access to your home you will be placed in custody while they do their search, and depending on what kind of a guy you have been they will either let you go or haul you off to jail.
Kevin22 reply :
On 7/16/2013 at 1:32 AM, SPEEDBEAD. said:Retired police detective anonymously posting on a fishing forum advising against cooperating with law enforcement?
Please, allow me to put my boots on as I smell some poop.
That is bullcrap. If he was law enforcement then he was a very uninformed officer! If he was a cop then I was the prince of Nigeria. Look at his posts (the ones that have not been removed), all but two are negative towards someone.
derekxec reply :
here in florida the FWC handles wildlife stuff...they are also state police so they can go anywhere in the state and do their job...the police here patrol the waterways but they do it as volunteer unpaid on the weekends if they want but if you decline to show them license they will either call an FWC officer or just leave lol
rvadog reply :
On 7/16/2013 at 1:12 AM, eddieg said:Not true in Illinois
Yes it is. The United States Constitution does not offer exemptions for game wardens. The State of Illinois can write anything in their laws they want but that does not preempt the constitution. There are a couple of things in that section you quoted. For example "pursuant to law" means that the law enforcement authority has to abide buy legal restrictions of their authority. Also the law only allows game wardens to do these searches when looking for mammals and birds and must have "reason to believe"...sounds like probable cause to me.
Kevin22 reply :
On 7/16/2013 at 8:33 AM, rvadog said:Yes it is. The United States Constitution does not offer exemptions for game wardens. The State of Illinois can write anything in their laws they want but that does not preempt the constitution. There are a couple of things in that section you quoted. For example "pursuant to law" means that the law enforcement authority has to abide buy legal restrictions of their authority. Also the law only allows game wardens to do these searches when looking for mammals and birds and must have "reason to believe"...sounds like probable cause to me.
In Illinois a conservation officer may search a home at any time without a warrant if he believes there are fish and/or wildlife in possession. But they will, almost every time, get a search warrant signed off on so they can seize other items as well as the fish/wildlife. All they have to do is see you fishing and they can search your home for fish.
rvadog reply :
I would love to see a citation from a case in which that happens. There is absolutely no way that that's true. State law does not preempt the constitution and a hundred years of case law states that a peace officer must swear a warrant with probable cause in order to search a home.
Kevin22 reply :
It is true. Look it up.
tatertester reply :
Wellllll!....Looks who is talking about negative posts....No, don't need your boots on , I am a retired detective , believe what you want....By the way , Expressing your legal rights is not being uncooperative, but, being naïve and uninformed about the law and every citizens rights may be viewed as foolish.....If the shoe fits.
AJMichigan reply :
On 7/16/2013 at 10:43 AM, tatertester said:Wellllll!....Looks who is talking about negative posts....No, don't need your boots on , I am a retired detective , believe what you want....By the way , Expressing your legal rights is not being uncooperative, but, being naïve and uninformed about the law and every citizens rights may be viewed as foolish.....If the shoe fits.
So then why do so many law enforcement officers get so pissy when you enforce your rights? I've had a few runs ins, and have expressed my rights at the fullest extent. During those times the law enforcement officers were extremely pissy. Also, I watch a good amount of youtube videos..take those as great examples.
tatertester reply :
They get pissy because they wanted to do things their way, no matter proper procedure....I have somewhat changed my view of law enforcement since retiring , and looking at things from the outside...Cops have a tendency to get high and mighty with a badge on and a gun on their side,consequently not always living up to their motto "To Protect and Serve", but , instead using their assigned power as an ego trip to some degree....Of course, not all officers, but, more than you might think.
bassflyfisherman reply :
On 7/15/2013 at 11:31 PM, AK-NJ1986 said:They can ask you for it that's why they tell you to keep your fishing license on you at all times. I have had a license my whole life and I have NEVER been asked for it. Waste of money but the one year I don't get one will be the time I get fined for not having it and fishing
Don't think of it as a waste of money. You're still supporting conservation programs that support and enhance the fish population!
bassflyfisherman reply :
On 7/15/2013 at 4:50 PM, AJMichigan said:I've been curious about this but can't find anything online with a definitive answer, Can a regular law enforcement officer who is not DNR ask you for your fishing license?
When it comes down to it, if there is a law in your state, county, or city that requires a fishing license, any law enforcement agent / peace officer has the ability to write a citation for not abiding by those laws. In reality, a peace officer of any sort - police, game warden, DNR officer, etc. - can write a citation for violation of any law. A DNR officer could write you a ticket for speeding, even if you aren't in any sort of park.
A couple quick examples explicitly stating police officers can ask for your license are below. As I mentioned above, as long as your state has an item in it's code requiring a license (it does), any peace officer charged with enforcing the state's codes can inspect your license.
New York: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2442.html
Nevada: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-502.html and http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-501.html#NRS501Sec375
SirSnookalot reply :
I obey the law, I don't concern myself. If they want to check let them do so and that's the end of it, I have nothing to hide.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 7/16/2013 at 2:56 PM, SirSnookalot said:I obey the law, I don't concern myself. If they want to check let them do so and that's the end of it, I have nothing to hide.
That's the way I've always felt. I'm glad they're out there checking people. I don't understand why some feel the need to question everything a person with any authority is doing, unless you have something to hide. I know if I ask someone to see something and they ask why or begin to question me it sets my alarms off. If an officer is doing something that is over the line I could understand the concern but if they're just doing their job and asking to see that you have the appropriate permits and licenses and you are following the rules and have all those then why not show them and they can be on their way and you can go about your day? Seems to me a lot of the same people that complain about being "harassed" when they get checked for their licenses are the same ones that complain about officers not catching every violation and not doing their jobs. I've had many pleasant conversations with Game Wardens during and after being checked and have even been tipped off about hot bites by them since they travel all over the state doing their jobs.
0119 reply :
25 years as a Fl. cop, all on the road. I checked hundreds of fishing licenses. State wildlife was few and far in between especially after 9/11 when they basically became free harbor patrol for the feds. The present governor wont even allow them to use gasoline for their boats half the time. You know, republican, keep big brother to a minimum. I never had an angler become offended by my asking. Most thought it as a positive. Sure there are cops who instantly set folks off just by the way they ask for i.d. Just like there are folks that set cops off by the way they assert their "rights" in their face. Usually with a I pay your salary crap or the ever present your profiling me because of my color. Your fishing license just like your drivers license ISNT A RIGHT, its a priviledge. One you have to earn and maintain buy obeying the law and being a committed sportsman. Funny how a member of the bucket brigade wouldn't have a problem exhibiting their license but a "sportsman" with the latest Lew's/Shimano/Dobyn's gear filling their deck as they wear their bass mafia/underarmour pretty clothes, would.
AK-Jax86 reply :
On 7/16/2013 at 12:22 PM, bassflyfisherman said:Don't think of it as a waste of money. You're still supporting conservation programs that support and enhance the fish population!
Yea not as much as those who don't have a license and get caught and have to pay that hefty fine that some states impose.
Ratherbfishing reply :
Based on some of the responses, I guess I'll respond this way:
Response 1) Why would you refuse unless you didn't actually have a fishing license? And if you do have a fishing license, why would you prefer to make your life (and the cops) more difficult than it has to be?
or
Response 2) Go ahead and refuse and you'll find out soon enough if the cop has jurisdiction. I think you'd find it was easier to just present it in the first place (refer back to response 1).
Avalonjohn44 reply :
I have had cops check mine in VA several times. No idea if they are supposed to, but I'm not gonna argue.
flippin and pitchin reply :
I'm a " cop." I do not "protect and serve." I do provide services and assure that I and those officers I supervise, do not work outside of the US Constitution, Washington State Constitution and or Washington State Law. I have worn a badge and carried " a gun " for 22 years and never felt I had any power for doing so. Frankly any cop who isn't wearing their badge and carrying their side arm is stupid. I have no power, only that authority granted to me, with condition, by the State and within the state. My City's Agency has entered into Mutual Aid Agreements by letter with agencies in other jurisdictions within my state.
In Washington, you are required to possess a fishing license at age 16 and various additional permits to fish for assorted species. Your Boat must be licensed. When you license a boat and or fish on PUBLIC waters you stipulate to showing a law enforcement officer you are in compliance. I am saddened by the commentary of some and one. Your rights to search and seizure are subject to exemption every day. Each State chooses to broaden or narrow the scope of those rights as legislators and judges provide laws and case law in the interest of their citizens.
If you want to challenge " a cop ", go right ahead. Please be sure you are knowledgeable before you do so. The definition of wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge. Be wise, always buy a fishing license and show it upon request.
derekxec reply :
some officers are good some are bad....i know a few and they are the nicest guys in the world and i also know a few others and they think they can do anything they want
i think you should stand up for your rights because if you dont we wont have any rights
i had a run in with 2 boynton beach officers a couple years ago they were heading the opposite direction as me and busted a U turn right after they passed me and my friend and said my brake lights were out......so i got out and locked my door and had my friend push the brake to test so i could see...then the cop got mad cause i locked my door so he couldnt search my truck for no apparent reason lol...the one officer wanting to search my truck actually looked like he was wired out on cocaine too.....so he said he would get the dog to search and i said ok and bring a superior too and they just left lol
im all for good cops but the bad ones make me have to hassle the good ones cause i know my rights...i dont mess with your rights so dont mess with mine
tomustang reply :
I wish mine did, we have too many poachers and a severely undermanned fish commission. Local law enforcement has enough on their plates.
moguy1973 reply :
In Missouri, the water patrol is also state highway patrol who are cops, and yeah, they ask for your fishing license. And not that it's happened to me, but they will ticket you for not having one.
MitchTBF reply :
Here in NJ if I have a knife (Fixed 5 inch maximum blade length) on my belt I must have proof it is a tool for an activity I am either doing at the moment or on the way to or from. So if a cop sees me get out of my car with a knife on my belt he can check if I have a fishing license and actually on the way to a fishing spot, actually fishing, or on the way home from fishing. If I stop along the way and go into a store, I'm supposed to remove the knife from my belt.
flyfisher reply :
Here in VA i have been asked at boat ramps for a fishing license. I ahev also been advised when chatting with the game warden that they have the same capabilities as a police officer as far as traffic violations etc but they rarely use them inless it is an add on from another crime they are pursuing/investigating.
I also do not even have a paper copy of my license on me but i do have the digital version stored on my phone. I was asked for my fishing license once and showed him the PDF on my iPhone and he said that was ok. I asked if it was ok to have it this way and he said technically you are supposed ot have a paper copy but he couldn't imagine why anyone would have a problem with the digital copy.
AK-Jax86 reply :
A cop came to a pond I was fishing last night. He didn't ask me for my fishing license. He just said he got a call and he was just asking me to leave. He did run my driver's license which is understandable
SirSnookalot reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 12:01 AM, AK-NJ1986 said:A cop came to a pond I was fishing last night. He didn't ask me for my fishing license. He just said he got a call and he was just asking me to leave. He did run my driver's license which is understandable
If it was private property a fishing license is probably not required, especially if the state does not manage or have supervision over the body of water.
AK-Jax86 reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 12:10 AM, SirSnookalot said:If it was private property a fishing license is probably not required, especially if the state does not manage or have supervision over the body of water.
So if I was fishing a pond on the side of the highway where there are no posted signs, and I have a license I would be good if a cop came?
BassinLou reply :
Not necessarily AK. The spot I went to yesterday was on the side of the highway, my car was parked well away of traffic and the pond is also well away from traffic. No signs were posted any where. For fishing or parking. I had my fishing license and drivers license on me. The officer didn't even ask for any of those. He just told me to leave period.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 2:45 AM, BassinLou said:Not necessarily AK. The spot I went to yesterday was on the side of the highway, my car was parked well away of traffic and the pond is also well away from traffic. No signs were posted any where. For fishing or parking. I had my fishing license and drivers license on me. The officer didn't even ask for any of those. He just told me to leave period.
I think he over stepped his bounds.
BassinLou reply :
Snook, after I came off the high of landing the 6lb bass I pulled out of there. I was left scratching my head. I really want to know why I cannot fish there. I would understand if it was fenced in like some of those ponds are but that was not the case. Some have researched since yesterday, and no one can come up with an answer. Maybe its a safety thing??
SirSnookalot reply :
As far as I know we can fish any roadside pond or canal if it's public water, people are jumping the curb all the time down here to fish. If you or you car is not interfering with traffic, where's the interest in safety. Happens again get his badge number and call it in, not that will do any good.
OkeechobeeAngler reply :
Snook, I read something yesterday that stated it was illegal to park on the side of the road along the turnpike unless you are broke down or have an emergencie. Nothing says it is illegal to fish the waters that I can find.
I asked the troopers along the St.Lucie and Indian River county sections and got the okay. He just said to pay the tolls. This was approx. 4-5 yes ago.
CPBassFishing reply :
is the pond on private property? If not, the cop had no right to make you leave and whoever called to complain had no right to do that either. If the pond is public, fish on!On 7/23/2013 at 12:01 AM, AK-NJ1986 said:A cop came to a pond I was fishing last night. He didn't ask me for my fishing license. He just said he got a call and he was just asking me to leave. He did run my driver's license which is understandable
Brackish Angler 228 reply :
If you're fishing where pedestrian traffic is prohibited, like an interstate, I understand why they would ask you to leave. That or parking on a shoulder that's meant for emergencies. Other than that, if you're sure it's public land, try and politely ask the officer why you aren't allowed to fish there. The hard part about that is a lot of cops hear "asking politely" and think "getting smart".
AK-Jax86 reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 3:53 AM, CPBassFishing said:is the pond on private property? If not, the cop had no right to make you leave and whoever called to complain had no right to do that either. If the pond is public, fish on!
No it is in a community. There are no signs saying that it's private. He told me if I wasn't a resident then I couldn't fish there I knew he was full of ish but I didn't make a big deal. Then he said if I get caught again I get a trespassing warning and after that arrested and go to jail... I was like really for fishing? I think he had a different reason as to why he had a problem that I was there
Revival reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 6:58 AM, AK-NJ1986 said:I think he had a different reason as to why he had a problem that I was there
What do you mean?
The Rooster reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 8:05 AM, Revival said:What do you mean?
Don't go there......
AK-Jax86 reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 8:42 AM, The Rooster said:Don't go there......
Lol yes we won't go there this is a fishing forum
SirSnookalot reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 3:20 AM, OkeechobeeAngler said:Snook, I read something yesterday that stated it was illegal to park on the side of the road along the turnpike unless you are broke down or have an emergencie. Nothing says it is illegal to fish the waters that I can find.
I asked the troopers along the St.Lucie and Indian River county sections and got the okay. He just said to pay the tolls. This was approx. 4-5 yes ago.
I always assumed the turnpike and the ponds at the ramps were off limits to fish.
Quote
No it is in a community. There are no signs saying that it's private. He told me if I wasn't a resident then I couldn't fish there I knew he was full of ish but I didn't make a big deal. Then he said if I get caught again I get a trespassing warning and after that arrested and go to jail... I was like really for fishing? I think he had a different reason as to why he had a problem that I was there
Gated or not communities are private property, at least areas other than the streets. Gets a little iffy, in a gated community the police will not write a parking ticket because the streets are private, but in a non gated community they have the jurisdiction to do so, the streets are public.
tomustang reply :
AK,
You said "a" community, so I'm assuming it's not yours? For the most part I would say it's private and that doesn't need signs
WFFL reply :
Policemen risk their lives every day when confronting another person. If a cop asked to see me fishing license I would gladly show him a copy and immediately ask if he fishes and have a nice conversation with him.
I'm on the water a lot and if I see any type of law enforcement whether it be marine patrol, policeman or whatever, I will always initiate conversation with them. I appreciate every thing they do for us citizens and realize they put themselves in harms way every time they leave for work. And no, I am not in any type of law enforcement position.
And by the way, I have never been asked to show a license or have a marine patrol do a safety inspection. Gee, I wonder why?
slonezp reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 6:58 AM, AK-NJ1986 said:No it is in a community. There are no signs saying that it's private. He told me if I wasn't a resident then I couldn't fish there I knew he was full of ish but I didn't make a big deal. Then he said if I get caught again I get a trespassing warning and after that arrested and go to jail... I was like really for fishing? I think he had a different reason as to why he had a problem that I was there
At this point, I think you only have a couple options. Inquire about the HOA who would be in charge of the property. Ask permission from one of the residents. This is what my son does. He'll ask a homeowner if they mind if he fishes the subdivision ponds and assures them he will release the fish. Or just forget about the hassle and find somewhere else to fish.
slonezp reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 8:31 PM, WFFL said:Policemen risk their lives every day when confronting another person. If a cop asked to see me fishing license I would gladly show him a copy and immediately ask if he fishes and have a nice conversation with him.
I'm on the water a lot and if I see any type of law enforcement whether it be marine patrol, policeman or whatever, I will always initiate conversation with them. I appreciate every thing they do for us citizens and realize they put themselves in harms way every time they leave for work. And no, I am not in any type of law enforcement position.
And by the way, I have never been asked to show a license or have a marine patrol do a safety inspection. Gee, I wonder why?
I got pulled over twice, on the water, this past weekend by the Sherriff. On Friday I get waved over. I think it's because I haven't received my registration yet and have no #'s on the boat. He just wanted to know how the fishing was. 2nd time was on Sunday for going 4mph in a no wake zone.(Sherriff got sneaky this year and they have jet skis now. The patrol boats stick out like a sore thumb but the jet skis blend in with everyone else)
jsc4324 reply :
I just read this post and some comments have amazed me. Keeping in mind I may be biased as I am a LEO in the northeast. Where I work We can enforce the laws of the state in which I work. We have a seperate fish and game as well as marine patrol. That being said not only can officers ask for a fishing license but can issue citations for a violation and if necessary make an arrest for a violation. Keep in mind as someone posted above the 4th amendment of the US Constitution protects you against search and seizure. State laws can not be more lax on federal law, only more restrictive. If there are exigenct circumstances that may be how DNR's are entering a home without a warrant. However I question what that exigenct would be because a fish for example is likely dead in your home and not going to swim away causing evidence to be lost. The officer could and should seperate you from your home and apply for a search warrant accordingly.
I have never asked someone for their fishing license that was just fishing responsibly and respectfully. If someone is being careless. Reckless etc then I might ask. I treat every person with the same amount of respect you give to me. Don't get me wrong there are defiantly bad cops out there and yes I work with a few that I wonder how the hell they got hired and have not been fired.
The majority of the time if you are cooperative and courteous you will be treated the same way. If you are treated unfairly or your rights are violated, the side of the road is not the place to argue such. There are proper ways to do so, and I encourage you all to report misconduct by LEO.
I personably have no problem providing an explanation of why I do what I do if it can safely be done.
Some points of advice. Know the laws of your state pertaining to your actions before you go out. Don't tell the LEO you know the law because you are going to school for criminal justice, or because you have a friend who has a friend that is a lawyer. If you are illegally cited, arrested etc, use your 5th amendment right and contact an attorney ASAP.
Rant over.
Revival reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 10:55 AM, AK-NJ1986 said:Lol yes we won't go there this is a fishing forum
No disrespect. It could have been numerous reasons. I get it now.
Mr_Scrogg reply :
As far as the Private Community lakes that was mentioned, I fish quite a bit of them, When I'm done, I walk around and pick up all the trash, debris and such to clean up the lake. I have NEVER been confronted or asked not to fish in those. If I did, I would explain to them that yes, I do fish the lakes, I do release all fish unscathed, and when I was done, I pick up the majority of the trash to help keep their pond/lake clean and healthy. If they still insist that I don't fish, then I stop going.
You have to understand that some people are ********, it's just in their nature, but if you are sincere, polite, and respectful, they just might look the other way.
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