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Had a run in with the Game Warden today 2024


fishing user avatarairborne_angler reply : 

As the title states,I had a run in with a warden from the Department of Fish and Game.

Started out ok,but when all was done,I was really a little torked.Heres how the visit went.

I was on the water and he came cruising up in his boat. Asked his assistant to steady and hold my boat while we talked.

At first things were casual,he asked how the fishing was,if I had caught any fish.I told him I hooked into a Trout but it got off and that I also hooked into a Very Large Bass(had to of been at least 5#) but it broke me off and took my lure with it.

He asked to see what I was using and then asked for my license. He turned over the back of my License and sternly showed it to me and said "Is there something missing?"

The only thing I could think was missing was a Trout Stamp,which is required for the taking of Trout.

I was a little confused. He explained to me that because of the lure I was using(a Kastmaster)was for "Trout",That he could give me a ticket for not having a Trout Stamp.

I told him I wasnt intentionally fishing for trout,and have been catching Bass on this lure.

He told me that if the package the bait comes in says it can catch Trout,then it is a Trout Lure...

I tried to flip the script on him. I asked him if I was using a Dropshot (which I often do) and was throwing a small dropshot bait and caught a Trout on it(which I do and release unharmed frequently)...What then? He said if I could show him the packaging that says the DS worms were for Bass then all would be forgiven.

Ok Mr. Game Warden,I put all my baits in Ziploc Bags...am I not allowed to do that anymore either,so I can show proof of what the bait is specifically for?

So Am I not allowed to finesse fish for Bass for fear that my bait maybe looked at as a Trout lure cause its "small"

What about small Crankbaits,If I hook a Trout on one..What then?

Isnt that what fishing is about...You try and catch "something" but at times you never know what youll end up with.

Just like throwing the Kastmaster,I was letting it flutter to the bottom when it got bumped,Never expected that Large Bass to hit it. Man that was a HUGE fish,Almost had it to the boat,when it gave a head shake and broke me off.

So If I am fishing for Trout and catch a Bass...What then.

I would like to hear everyone comments about this topic!!


fishing user avatarOl� Dirty Basstard reply : 

So what happened? Did you get fined? Ticketed? Did they take any gear like we all hear happened to that one guy wherever you live?


fishing user avatarDan: reply : 
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Isnt that what fishing is about...You try and catch "something" but at times you never know what youll end up with.

Which is exactly why many other states require a trout stamp to even fish trout waters at all.


fishing user avatarMattlures reply : 

Your using a lure that is comonly known as a trout lure.

Your fishing a lake with trout in it.

You admitted that you hooked a trout but it got off. The trout bit on the lure that is comonly known as a trout lure.

You did not have the required trout stamp.

Hmmm How dare him !!!

You should have thanked him for not writing you a ticket, escpecialy if you had any kind of attitude at all.

Some people dont realize that fish and game have more athority then the police. They can actualy search your house without a warrent and they are equal otherwise.

The simple solution is to get a trout stamp.


fishing user avatarairborne_angler reply : 
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Isnt that what fishing is about...You try and catch "something" but at times you never know what youll end up with.

Which is exactly why many other states require a trout stamp to even fish trout waters at all.

I cant help if a Trout smacks my lure...


fishing user avatarFishing Rhino reply : 

In Massachusetts, there is no trout category license.

In RI, they do have a separate "stamp" if you plan to keep any trout.  But as I understand it, you are required to release trout of legal size unless you have the stamp.

When I got my TN license, it had an option if you wanted to keep trout.  I believe my GA license was the same.


fishing user avatarHammer 4 reply : 

Might be easier to get the stamp, and save yourself some possible greif in the future.. ;)


fishing user avatarDan: reply : 
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Isnt that what fishing is about...You try and catch "something" but at times you never know what youll end up with.

Which is exactly why many other states require a trout stamp to even fish trout waters at all.

I cant help if a Trout smacks my lure...

That's exactly my point. In VA you have to have a trout stamp to fish anywhere that there are trout because you can't help it.


fishing user avatarK_Mac reply : 

I would grumble and fuss, then I would buy a trout stamp.


fishing user avatarBassThumb reply : 
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Your using a lure that is comonly known as a trout lure.

Your fishing a lake with trout in it.

You admitted that you hooked a trout but it got off. The trout bit on the lure that is comonly known as a trout lure.

You did not have the required trout stamp.

Hmmm How dare him !!!

You should have thanked him for not writing you a ticket, escpecialy if you had any kind of attitude at all.

Some people dont realize that fish and game have more athority then the police. They can actualy search your house without a warrent and they are equal otherwise.

The simple solution is to get a trout stamp.

He's right. I'm a little surprised you didn't get a ticket. It likely would have been thrown out if you made a good case, but it would have sent a message to you and your buddies. If you're in the gray area, you have to get a stamp.

Those Wardens don't play, but I've never had any issues with them.  I think they generally have better intentions then your average police officer, but with all the authority they have, some will let it go to their head.  You might have just met one that has.


fishing user avatarSirSnookalot reply : 

I think the warden was out of line.

A kastmaster, mepps or any other spoon catches just about any game fish in the world. You were targeting bass and I would have said this lure slays them, then shut my mouth. What matters is what you have on the stringer, he can't prove you were trout fishing if you don't have any, then say nothing on the subject.

Two 1 word answers to any question, yes or no, then it's up to him to prove you did something wrong. Even having a trout stamp he would harassed you on some other issue, maybe your zipper was down and he would have accused you of ticking into the lake or flashing someone j/k, but you get the point. You were bullied!

Denzel in Training Day " It's not what you know, it's what you can prove".


fishing user avatarMattlures reply : 

Snook your saying that the warden was harrassing because he questioned him? I think he was very lucky not to get a ticket and I think the warden was very patient. I like talking to the F&G when they check me. They are a wealth of info and are hunters and fishers too. Once they see your all good and legal they are usualy very friendly.

He was doing his job. Put your self in his shoes.


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 
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Your using a lure that is comonly known as a trout lure.

Your fishing a lake with trout in it.

You admitted that you hooked a trout but it got off. The trout bit on the lure that is comonly known as a trout lure.

You did not have the required trout stamp.

Hmmm How dare him !!!

You should have thanked him for not writing you a ticket, escpecialy if you had any kind of attitude at all.

Some people dont realize that fish and game have more athority then the police. They can actualy search your house without a warrent and they are equal otherwise.

The simple solution is to get a trout stamp.

Keep it simple, buy a stamp.


fishing user avatartrevor reply : 

sounds like you may have the joy of PA wardens. dont they realize WE keep them in work?


fishing user avatarstratos 375 reply : 

Just my 2 cents, but the reason he was so "thorough" with you may have been more for the benefit of his "assistant" or trainee.

I was boat checked a few years ago by a WCO and he had his rookie along with him. He made it a point to toss my boat from bow to stern. Everything, and I mean everything was present & in order. He seemed kind of ticked, as he obviously wanted to show junior how to write a ticket.

He actually took each one of my PFD vests and inspected it to the utmost degree. One of them had a small tear in it that was less than a quarter inch long from where I had to cut a treble hook out of it. He fined me 25.00 for a vest that was in a state of "disrepair". Had he been alone, the vest would had never gotten a second look.

If you didn't have any trout in the livewell and your gear was for bass fishing, the trout stamp thing was just smoke. Those guys know when someone's trout fishing vs. bass fishing.


fishing user avatarfirefightn15 reply : 
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Isnt that what fishing is about...You try and catch "something" but at times you never know what youll end up with.

Which is exactly why many other states require a trout stamp to even fish trout waters at all.

A_A, I'm sure you weren't targeting trout, but what Dan said.  Unless I am wrong, Wisconsin is one of these states.  There is only one lake that I fish which holds trout and because of this I just buy a trout stamp with my license so I can fish and not worry.


fishing user avatarNBR reply : 

I had a similar experience many, many years ago while duck hunting. I was waiting at the DNR local office the next morning at opening and had a little polite talk with the head of inforcement. End of incident, from then on the CO passed us in a wide birth with a friendly wave. We were doing absolutely nothing wrong but the CO kept searching and scewed up our hunt.

There are few bass lures that don't mention trout somewhere in the package. I agree that the CO was strutting his stuff.

I don't break the fish and game laws and I treat the CO's  with courtesy and expect the same.


fishing user avatarSirSnookalot reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarairborne_angler reply : 

He told me that because I was using a Lure that had "action" on the retrieve,he would let it slide,but had I of been anchored with Powerbait on the end of my line,them I would have gotten a ticket....WELL DUH!!!

He asked to see the package on the Kastmaster so he could see if it specified Trout. I told him I didnt have it,I threw it away. Last night I checked the package on an unopened Kastmaster,and this is what it reads:

KASTMASTER

Kastmaster's balance produces wild action without line twist!Because of its aerodynamic design.it's the master distance caster,and catches fish from pan-size trout to bragging-sized gamefish--in fresh and saltwater.The Kastmaster is machined from sold brass.It wont break,bend,or corrode and it retains its luster even after repeated exposure to salt water.

Available in eleven sizes: 1/12 oz.-4 oz.

So to me this says the lure can catch just about anything...Nowhere does it say the lure I was using was for Trout.

So say Im fishing(anchored) with a some live worms on a small hook for Trophy Bluegill...Can this be misconstrued as "Trout Fishing?

Oh and the Warden also said because the water were still a little cool,it was still "Trout Season"

Nowhere in the regs does it have a specific date on when Trout Season is.It only tells of when the stockings are going to be.

Ive caught Trout with a Dropshot with a 6 inch worm in mid July when the air temps are over 100 degrees.

If the whole Trout stamp thing were that much of an issue,the REGS should say "If a person fishes in ANY water that has trout stocked in it,a Trout stamp MUST be purchased".

However,when a License is purchased,you have the OPTION of purchasing a Trout stamp.Now If I specifically wanting to take Trout,I would would purchase one. But I guess in this case its "Better to have it and not need it,than to need it and not have it."

Im not about breaking the law but I believe the officer was "picking nits"


fishing user avatarBobby Uhrig reply : 

Keep it simple just kick em in the nutz-


fishing user avatarCatt reply : 
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Your using a lure that is comonly known as a trout lure.

Your fishing a lake with trout in it.

You admitted that you hooked a trout but it got off. The trout bit on the lure that is commonly known as a trout lure.

You did not have the required trout stamp.

Hmmm How dare him !!!

You should have thanked him for not writing you a ticket, especially if you had any kind of attitude at all.

Some people don't realize that fish and game have more authority then the police. They can actually search your house without a warrant and they are equal otherwise.

The simple solution is to get a trout stamp.

Keep it simple, buy a stamp.

I agree, the warden did his job correctly, you didn't do yours ;)


fishing user avatarRandall reply : 

Buy the stamp and keep the trout for dinner to offset the cost of the stamp. He did you a favor.


fishing user avatarCRFisher reply : 

So, for the most part, everyone is saying you should be buying a trout stamp even though you have no intention of fishing for trout?   If that's what going to be needed to fish for bass without problems it seems they should just get rid of the need for seperate stamps/licenses.  The problem seems to be poorly written laws/rules leaving the warden as having to guess what people are fishing for.

I always thought of Kastmasters as a Saltwater lure to be honest, not a trout lure.


fishing user avatarBoogey Man reply : 

I always thought the trout stamp was only if you planned on keeping them.  So you have to have one even if you are not fishing specifically for trout and accidently catch one and throw it back?


fishing user avatartyrius. reply : 

First off, each state has their own laws and many lakes have their own regulations.  As an angler you have the responsiblity of knowing the laws and regulations of all of the bodies of water that you fish.

Secondly, you were fishing with a lure designed to catch a wide variety of fish.  You many have been hoping to catch only bass, but the lure is meant for a variety.  So, you were, in effect, fishing for anything that would bite (trout being a possibility).   Therefore, if there are trout in that body of water and you need a trout stamp to legally fish for trout then you should have a trout stamp. 


fishing user avatarRaul reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarBassin_0502 reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarfarmpond1 reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarSPEEDBEAD. reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarSPEEDBEAD. reply : 
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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.


fishing user avatarSDoolittle reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarMattlures reply : 

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.


fishing user avatargrimlin reply : 

I gotta agree with Mattlures here.

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


fishing user avatarDan: reply : 
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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.


fishing user avatartoolpush reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarFishingBuds reply : 

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


fishing user avatarJake. reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarHammer 4 reply : 

How much is a trout stamp..?


fishing user avatarRichF reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarairborne_angler reply : 
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How much is a trout stamp..?

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


fishing user avatarairborne_angler reply : 
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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.


fishing user avatar90x reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarmidnighthrasher reply : 
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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!!!!


fishing user avatarRichF reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarairborne_angler reply : 
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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.


fishing user avatarRichF reply : 

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. 


fishing user avatarHammer 4 reply : 
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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  ;)


fishing user avatarDan: reply : 
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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.


fishing user avatarairborne_angler reply : 

Here in AZ a trout stamp is Optional.


fishing user avatarDan: reply : 

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.


fishing user avatarSDoolittle reply : 

If you accidentally catch a trout while bass fishing with trout tackle and it dies, you can keep the fish for the table if you have a trout stamp.


fishing user avatarTaylor Fishin 4 life reply : 

just get the stamp so he cant say crap and it solves this whole mess and this post...Thats my 2cents end of discussion  :-X


fishing user avatarPopeye reply : 

Stamp is undoubtedly cheaper than a ticket. Cheap insurance, IMO especially if you frequently fish waters that contain trout.

Side note: I had the park rangers call me in off the water a couple of weeks ago to check my license, daily permit, and whether or not I had crimped off the barbs on the hooks I was using! First time in the 3 years I've been fishing on my float tube on Upper Otay that I've been checked! Certainly glad my barbs were all crimped off/down! I was told a ticket for that would be $270.00!  CA doesn't like small revenue tickets:o( Rangers were very nice and apologetic that they had to call me in off the lake and interupt my fishing but I certainly understand that they needed to do their job.


fishing user avatarNateFollmer reply : 

Man other state's must be very strict or I'm getting lucky. I have NEVER seen the PA Fish commission while I was fishing. I do know of friends that have fished and forgot their license at home and they were let off with a warning.

If it were me, I would have gotten the stamp. It somewhat feels like they are forcing you to buy something you don't need, but I'd get it just to support the fisheries! HA


fishing user avatargarland7 reply : 

I think the laws should be changed to read that you need a stamp for the type of fish you are keeping. I say this because many different species will hit many types of lures. So are we all getting a fishing license, or a Multi stamp license? The laws need to be real, not just money makers.


fishing user avatarInLikeFinz reply : 

I would get the stamp. Better safe than sorry I say. Plus you can just smile as they drive off knowing you "passed all inspections".  ;)


fishing user avatarsalmicropterus reply : 

buy the darn stamp. If you are fishing in trout like waters with trout baits you are going to be under suspicion as well you should be (from a game and fish perspective). Stop the whining. G&Fdeal with a lot of hard core violators and don't want to put up with all that. Just do that right thing and deal with it


fishing user avatarsalmicropterus reply : 

sorry about the whining comment. Prob over the top. My interactions with F&G down here is that if you have good intention and the appropriate equipment you are ok as they deal with a lot of hard-*** hard core violators which we all pay them to do. I'd still say the same thing though-buy the stamp and be above suspicion


fishing user avatarOsprey39 reply : 

Stories like this are one of the reasons I hate trout.  Freaking game and fish departments act like they are some higher form of aquatic life just because the rich yuppies like to fish for them.  Always, always special regulations that people have to adhere to that couldn't give a d**n about catching a trout.  I say eradicate the trout!   :P


fishing user avatarBobby Uhrig reply : 

BS -The fish striking a bait for a particular reason is not the fault of the angler-I have used  baits of every description catching different species. The crap that he had said about that bait being "species specific" is a crock-Small bait fish imitation  is the way of the food chain. I have known Game Wardens-their tactics, as well as every phase of law enforcement- They pull you over -act like they are your best friend or buddy-then stick it to ya. ITS A TACTIC- Are they doing their job-yes-but to say that the bait is species specific- and possibly fine you for it- Thats a crock- They should have a document or sign before you enter the lake SPECIFYING THAT A TROUT STAMP IS MANDITORY-  Tackle companies should put "Multi-Species on the package


fishing user avatarDan: reply : 

yeah, it would be completely unreasonable for a game warden to be skeptical when you say you aren't fishing for trout with a known trout lure just because it is possible to catch other fish with it.

If they believed everything that fisherman told them when confronted they'd be out of the job. Why should wardens have to assume that everyone is telling them the truth? See it from their side. They get lied to everyday. They can't just take your word for it.


fishing user avatarTommyBass reply : 

It just depends on how your law reads... period.  There are many states that say you can't fish for fish "x" during certain seasons etc.  Same would apply for you in that.   For instance, here in Indiana, we can fish for trout whenever we want, but you have to have the stamp to take them home.  Thats how the law reads so thats what I do (or at least used to, I havn't checked lately). 

In your defense though, about ANYTHING will catch a trout.  I highly doubt that they are going to enforce that much.  Otherwise all you'd be able to use in that lake is a buzzbait.  I've caught them on almost every bass lure known to man.

Now if you were out there with a jar of trout krilla, then thats a different story obviously.


fishing user avatarrat-l-trapper reply : 

I really can't blame the game warden for thinking you were trout fishing. I live in Oregon and people are really into trout here, I've never seen anyone use a kastmaster for bass. If you were fishing something like a crank that's a diffirent story though. I catch trout all the time on crankbaits, but with a kastmaster it seems like you would catch more trout than bass. I say get the trout stamp if you're fishing trout waters with trout lures. I'm glad I don't need to worry about trout stamps here, sounds like a lot of you guy's do, though.


fishing user avatarrboat reply : 

It sounds like your states fishing laws were written by the current administration.  ::)

SNAFU.




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