Respectful fishing 2024
The Dread Pirate Fisherman reply :
Hi all, I was fishing today at one of my favorite spots. At the end of the day I walked over to another fisherman who was bank fishing. As I walked up I saw 6 dead fish floating near and on the shoreline. Two were small bass 4 were yellow perch. I asked the guy did you catch those, he said yeah they're just junk fish. I say those bass aren't junk and the perch are at least good for bait. I wanted to say a few expletives but he spoke up just before I did. He said, "those will be picked up by the Osprey." And wouldn't you know it just as he said that a Osprey dives and snatches up a live fish about 15ft away. Instead of chewing him out I simply said please be more respectful of the fish. Then he went completely ballistic on me calling me names etc etc etc. I just walked away and thought does purposefully killing 6 fish by one person equal culling? That being said I'm wondering if I should have taken another tract and called NH fish and game. Instead I go to our trusty fishing digest to read the definition and it says Culling: The act of exchanging a fish for one of the same species already in possession. But Websters defines it: reduce the population of (a wild animal) by selective slaughter. What's a dread pirate fisherman to do? Perhaps put em in the brig and lock em up lol. What would you do?
Glaucus reply :
6 dead fish and a human floating with them. 
OCdockskipper reply :
A person who chooses to do that is either ignorant or unreasonable. In either case, they have no interest in hearing a dissenting opinion.
Save your breath & call Fish & Game.
LxVE Bassin reply :
Got to be careful confronting people. Next time just call DNR. You can never underestimate the stupidity of the next man. So for safety reasons just call DNR.
lo n slo reply :
never seen an Osprey eat a dead fish. a struggling or dying fish, yes, but not a dead one.
The Dread Pirate Fisherman reply :
On 7/8/2018 at 9:45 AM, lo n slo said:never seen an Osprey eat a dead fish. a struggling or dying fish, yes, but not a dead one.
Bingo! That's why I was so close to fully speaking my mind. In any case the only option I have now is to speak with the park rangers and let them deal with this tool if he shows up again.
On 7/8/2018 at 9:21 AM, LxVE Bassin said:Got to be careful confronting people. Next time just call DNR. You can never underestimate the stupidity of the next man. So for safety reasons just call DNR.
Agreed. Had it not been for the park ranger not being around I would have spoken to him and let him know. I may be back there in the am and will definitely make it a point to tell them about this tool.
Bluebasser86 reply :
That's what is called Wanton Waste in Kansas, which is a fish and game violation that can earn you a ticket.
I've never heard of a state allowing culling fish unless it's for a tournament either, and some don't allow that during certain months either. I know for us, once it's in your creel, you must either keep it or release it but you can't cull it out of your creel if you catch a bigger fish later.
Smalls reply :
The general public does not care about your thoughts or opinions. That’s why we have fines when you break the law, because a few harsh words go in one ear, and out the other. A fine, however, makes the lesson really sink in. Call DNR, they’ve been pretty quick to show up for these kinds of calls in my experience.
TOXIC reply :
On 7/8/2018 at 8:21 AM, The Dread Pirate Fisherman said:he said yeah they're just junk fish
Makes you wonder what exactly he was fishing for????
Pickle_Power reply :
On 7/9/2018 at 7:11 PM, TOXIC said:Makes you wonder what exactly he was fishing for????
I've never heard of anyone calling perch "junk fish". Now, I know a lot of walleye guys that share that opinion on bass, haha..
rejesterd reply :
Oregon Native reply :
Bass and other warmwater fish were considered trash fish by many "cold water" fishermen when I lived in Oregon. Many a mentality was to just throw them up on the bank....not as bad as the pike minnow but close. Was sad...So much nicer here in Tennessee.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 7/9/2018 at 7:25 PM, rejesterd said:He meant they're not large fish that are good for catch-and-release.Except for during the spawning period, there is a daily limit of 5 bass and 25 perch. No length or weight limits. So he was well under the limit. And what he's doing will likely help you catch larger fish there in the future. It's called harvesting, and it helps spread the food around in the lake to fewer fish (so they can be healthier and grow larger, and will be less likely to cannibalize themselves).
Killing fish and leaving them floating isn't harvesting them, it's just killing fish and wasting them. If it was the guys private pond he could do what he pleases, but you can't just kill fish to kill fish on a public body of water.
rejesterd reply :
On 7/9/2018 at 7:39 PM, Bluebasser86 said:Killing fish and leaving them floating isn't harvesting them, it's just killing fish and wasting them. If it was the guys private pond he could do what he pleases, but you can't just kill fish to kill fish on a public body of water.
Animals will come and eat those fish very quickly.. they're not just going to sit on the bank rotting for weeks. That means they've been harvested. He's not hurting the ecosystem by leaving them there.
Choporoz reply :
On 7/9/2018 at 7:43 PM, rejesterd said:Animals will come and eat those fish very quickly....
Maybe. And if it doesn't happen VERY quickly, it probably won't happen. I'm no biologist, but my experiences tell me that if a dead fish isn't eaten in the first hour or so, it will likely still be floating three days from now.
Team9nine reply :
On 7/8/2018 at 1:25 PM, Bluebasser86 said:That's what is called Wanton Waste in Kansas, which is a fish and game violation that can earn you a ticket.
Same law on the books here in Indiana (wanton waste). Depending on the size, number and species involved, you could also get hammered for poaching. Simply call F&G next time. Here in Indiana, they also have a 1-800 TIP line to report violations while out on the water (TIP = Turn in a poacher).
the reel ess reply :
Somebody with that much disregard for wildlife might not have a valid license. You could call your DNR and report them. Somebody might get out in time to check on it. Or they might make it a point to increase visits to the location. I was talking to a local moron the other day who was bragging about catching and keeping more than the limit of stripers at the local lake. He said a game warden walked over to him and checked his license but couldn't see his stringer because of the rocky shore. It's a put-and-take fishery so the limit is 10, not 5 as on the rivers where they reproduce. I said "Why didn't you just keep 10 and release the rest?" He just looked at me like I was stupid. Ten 5 lb fish is plenty of meat for one person.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 7/9/2018 at 7:43 PM, rejesterd said:Animals will come and eat those fish very quickly.. they're not just going to sit on the bank rotting for weeks. That means they've been harvested. He's not hurting the ecosystem by leaving them there.
Don't do it here, it's a ticketable offense.
Wanton waste means, “to intentionally waste something negligently or inappropriately.”
Killing a fish to leave it to rot is not different than shooting a deer or duck and leaving it rot. It wasn't "harvested", it was just killed. Just because a person thinks a fish is a trash fish doesn't mean it is unless the state agrees with you (many states have what they consider "rough fish" that wanton waste laws don't apply to). I don't particularly like crappie but I'll bet I'd make some folks really unhappy if I had my limit of 50 rotting on the bank next to me.
rejesterd reply :
On 7/9/2018 at 8:53 PM, Bluebasser86 said:Don't do it here, it's a ticketable offense.
Wanton waste means, “to intentionally waste something negligently or inappropriately.”
Killing a fish to leave it to rot is not different than shooting a deer or duck and leaving it rot. It wasn't "harvested", it was just killed. Just because a person thinks a fish is a trash fish doesn't mean it is unless the state agrees with you (many states have what they consider "rough fish" that wanton waste laws don't apply to. I don't particularly like crappie but I'll bet I'd make some folks really unhappy if I had my limit of 50 rotting on the bank next to me.
But he's leaving them in the water. In NH the law is that you can't leave fish on land or on a frozen lake. I would encourage people to bag them up, but it's not wanton in NH to leave them in the water. I'm sure an officer would tell the guy to remove them anyway, but it's not officially considered wanton.
SDoolittle reply :
@rejesterd I don't care if it's legal or not. It is morally wrong.
rejesterd reply :
On 7/9/2018 at 10:48 PM, Bird Dog said:@rejesterd I don't care if it's legal or not. It is morally wrong.
You mean to kill fish? I think it's kind of silly to leave them there, but at the end of the day, 6 fish in the water isn't going to create a big problem for the ecosystem.
I'd rather have a guy do that than 50 other guys throw back every dink they catch. An overpopulation of small fish is a lot worse over time imo.
SDoolittle reply :
Silly is not the word I'd use to describe it. Yes, selective harvest can be beneficial, but killing fish and leaving them to rot is not the way to do it.
rejesterd reply :
On 7/9/2018 at 11:01 PM, Bird Dog said:Silly is not the word I'd use to describe it. Yes, selective harvest can be beneficial, but killing fish and leaving them to rot is not the way to do it.
I agree, it's better to bag them up and take them, but 6 fish left in the water will get eaten up very very quickly as soon as the guy leaves the area. It's not something that has a serious impact on the ecosystem.. certainly no more than losing some plastic baits and leaving them in the water (which we all do).
Arlo Smithereen reply :
On 7/9/2018 at 7:25 PM, rejesterd said:He meant they're not large fish that are good for catch-and-release.Except for during the spawning period, there is a daily limit of 5 bass and 25 perch. No length or weight limits. So he was well under the limit. And what he's doing will likely help you catch larger fish there in the future. It's called harvesting, and it helps spread the food around in the lake to fewer fish (so they can be healthier and grow larger, and will be less likely to cannibalize themselves).
without having knowledge of that particular body of water, you have no idea if what he did was helpful or not. However, I'd much rather see small dead fish than big ones.
gimruis reply :
Definite Wanton Waste here in MN. They don't care if its on the ice, on shore, or in the water. Quite frankly, it isn't about breaking the law here. Its a moral issue. You either harvest them or release them fully alive. Pitching them in the water half dead is morally wrong.
I probably would have called the authorities. Confronting someone is what I'd like to do, but you never know when someone is packing heat.
The Dread Pirate Fisherman reply :
Thanks to all who replied so far. So I've scoured the digest for info on NH law concerning wanton waste laws. All I can say is so far I've come up with nothing. In a state that has a ton of regulations some of which are contradicted by their own website vs their Digest it makes me crazy to think there isn't much to be found about fines or penalties for wanton waste. I will update after I call the main office in Concord. On another note I did get the park rangers attention and I'm sure if this tool shows up again and if he does it again the ranger will speak to him.
The Dread Pirate Fisherman reply :
On 7/9/2018 at 7:25 PM, rejesterd said:He meant they're not large fish that are good for catch-and-release.Except for during the spawning period, there is a daily limit of 5 bass and 25 perch. No length or weight limits. So he was well under the limit. And what he's doing will likely help you catch larger fish there in the future. It's called harvesting, and it helps spread the food around in the lake to fewer fish (so they can be healthier and grow larger, and will be less likely to cannibalize themselves).
To be clear I meant that those yellow perch could be used for bait or catch and release but the two bass were what made me mad. They were small but not small enough to be used for bait at that location. I personally believe that location is stressed because it is being over fished and I recently hooked a pike that does....not...belong there.
Hurricane reply :
On 7/10/2018 at 9:32 AM, The Dread Pirate Fisherman said:To be clear I meant that those yellow perch could be used for bait or catch and release but the two bass were what made me mad. They were small but not small enough to be used for bait at that location. I personally believe that location is stressed because it is being over fished and I recently hooked a pike that does....not...belong there.
I could catch pike all day.
FishDewd reply :
That does sound like he wasted fish. Unless I am fishing to harvest (not bass) I always throw them back so long as they seem to be healthy. You're right to be mad about it, even if it doesn't hurt the ecosystem much, it was wrong and the guy should have more sense and compassion for other living things. The fact he didn't makes me question his mentality. In the future don't confront someone like that just call the authorities and find out how they wish to handle the situation. If they say drop it, then drop it. Otherwise if they want to come out, great. If they can't make then at least try to note the make/model/color of the guy's vehicle with at least a few of the license plates digits so they can look out for him next time.
The Dread Pirate Fisherman reply :
I got a definitive answer from NH fish and game. There are no laws concerning wanton waste for fish in NH but there is for birds. So calling NH fish and game to report it will not result in any fines. The officer I spoke with said they would not come out to speak with said offender. I'm fairly confident that this incident was a one time thing...Hopefully! If by chance the guy who did this is on BR and sees this post all I can say is don't be a lazy fisherman and move to a different part of the lake, buy a used kayak, canoe or john boat if catching perch and small bass isn't good enough for you or even better go someplace else preferably to a state that has wanton waste laws!
Arcs&sparks reply :
@The Dread Pirate Fisherman
Im really surprised to hear that. That wouldn’t fly in Maine unless it was catch and kill policy. You think they’d say the same thing if it was native brookies?
J Francho reply :
On 7/10/2018 at 9:11 PM, Arcs&sparks said:You think they’d say the same thing if it was native brookies?
In NY, it you'd incur the wrath of hell if it was any trout species.
Darren. reply :
Hmm. Interesting post. @rejesterd, you're not the guy he happened
to come across are you?! 
@The Dread Pirate Fisherman, welcome to the forums! As for confronting
someone on the water, you probably did the right thing ultimately by
just walking away.
My wife is a nurse who's worked in the psych field for over 20 years. She
warns me (especially when driving in traffic), to relax and not go nuts on
a dumb driver who cut me off or whatever. She says many of the people
who come into the psych ER look like "normal" everyday people, but they
forgot to take their meds, etc. These are the people who may have a gun,
or are in the news for road rage and all that crap. There are also a lot of
people out there who *should* be on meds!
Best to call the local DNR rangers and let them decide what to do/how to
handle. They've got pretty extensive rights, even search & seizure w/o
a warrant.
Edit: I'm not saying the guy was off his meds or crazy, just to be careful
because you never know.
Edited by Darren.geo g reply :
I do everything I can not to hurt a bass and release it in great shape. Every once in a while it happens. They will go back in the food chain where turtles and craws will feast. If this guys was culling fish and throwing out dead ones, that terrible. Watch confronting a nut case, too many with guns and knives in the woods.
rejesterd reply :
On 7/10/2018 at 9:32 AM, The Dread Pirate Fisherman said:To be clear I meant that those yellow perch could be used for bait or catch and release but the two bass were what made me mad. They were small but not small enough to be used for bait at that location. I personally believe that location is stressed because it is being over fished and I recently hooked a pike that does....not...belong there.
I'm not saying what the guy did is a great thing.. I'm just saying it's less worse for the ecosystem than what you and I (and almost every other fisherman) does every year by losing plastic baits, metal weights, hooks, and fishing line in the water. It just seems your concern is really about the fact that you're not catching as many fish there as you would like, and you're taking it out on this guy. It's obviously not a moral thing for you, because you're not upset about the perch.
Also, pike aren't a problem for bass. They eat little bass, but big bass also eat little bass. Bass live quite well along with pike and pickerel.
The Dread Pirate Fisherman reply :
On 7/10/2018 at 9:11 PM, Arcs&sparks said:@The Dread Pirate Fisherman
Im really surprised to hear that. That wouldn’t fly in Maine unless it was catch and kill policy. You think they’d say the same thing if it was native brookies?
Yes I would think that but as usual NH has it's own rules some of which make no sense
The Dread Pirate Fisherman reply :
On 7/11/2018 at 12:16 AM, rejesterd said:I'm not saying what the guy did is a great thing.. I'm just saying it's less worse for the ecosystem than what you and I (and almost every other fisherman) does every year by losing plastic baits, metal weights, hooks, and fishing line in the water. It just seems your concern is really about the fact that you're not catching as many fish there as you would like, and you're taking it out on this guy. It's obviously not a moral thing for you, because you're not upset about the perch.
Also, pike aren't a problem for bass. They eat little bass, but big bass also eat little bass. Bass live quite well along with pike and pickerel.
I came here to get constructive feedback not to be judged. I was just clarifying but you clearly took offense. Next time just ask me what I mean. I do not like seeing any dead fish especially if they could have been released but were not and then left to rot on and near the shoreline makes for a nasty stink and does not lend to other fisherman's enjoyment of the shoreline because dead fish get ripe quickly on 90++ degree days. Even if the Osprey did eat dead fish they wouldn't do so when people are standing close by. Does that clarify it for you?
NHBull reply :
On 7/12/2018 at 8:29 AM, The Dread Pirate Fisherman said:Yes I would think that but as usual NH has it's own rules some of which make no sense
In NH, Marine Patrol would be the first responders. They are a part of State Police. They have no budget and there income comes from marine violations. Their primary responsibility is safety. They are severely under manned and are often made up of part-time and PT law enforcement. Simply stated, they nor Fish and Game have the time to pursue this type of act especially if it isn't on a major water-way
N Florida Mike reply :
A lazy man kills fish and doesn't eat them.
I thin the bass herd every year so they don't overpopulate and so my home water doesn't become " Lake of the Dinks" , but every one of those fish will be eaten.
My dad taught me if you kill it, you clean it and eat it.
That's what makes me reluctant to throw back illegal sized fish that die accidentally, but I make that an exception.
Arcs&sparks reply :
On 7/12/2018 at 8:53 AM, NHBull said:Simply stated, they nor Fish and Game have the time to pursue this type of act especially if it isn't on a major water-way
“Time to persue” the relatively minor offense in a small water is one thing, what is surprising is that they said there are no laws against it?
rejesterd reply :
On 7/12/2018 at 8:49 AM, The Dread Pirate Fisherman said:I came here to get constructive feedback not to be judged. I was just clarifying but you clearly took offense. Next time just ask me what I mean. I do not like seeing any dead fish especially if they could have been released but were not and then left to rot on and near the shoreline makes for a nasty stink and does not lend to other fisherman's enjoyment of the shoreline because dead fish get ripe quickly on 90++ degree days. Even if the Osprey did eat dead fish they wouldn't do so when people are standing close by. Does that clarify it for you?
I didn't need clarification. You asked "what would you do?", so I answered: I would put it in perspective, and realize he didn't do a super terrible thing that's worth calling in the authorities. He did a lazy thing that wasn't nearly as bad as what most fisherman do all the time.
If the fish somehow laid out there long enough for it to stink, you could've just removed them yourself rather than complain about them and the pike.
MIbassyaker reply :
There are no "junk fish" aside from ecologically-dangerous invasives. This is the sort of thing you encounter sometimes, unfortunately, when you run across people who have never had a complex thought in their lives, and don't intend to start.
Jaderose reply :
There will always be idiots. I contact MDC when I need to, educate if I think I can, and otherwise try to be a good enough steward to offset the stupidity of others as much as possible.
islandbass reply :
On 7/9/2018 at 7:29 PM, Oregon Native said:Bass and other warmwater fish were considered trash fish by many "cold water" fishermen when I lived in Oregon. Many a mentality was to just throw them up on the bank....not as bad as the pike minnow but close. Was sad...So much nicer here in Tennessee.
Yup, that sentiment exists in WA State too. All warm water fish like Bass and blue gills are considered trash fish.
@The Dread Pirate Fisherman: I would have hit him in the head with my peg leg, lol. I would have made that call to the game department. Nothing probably would have been done, but at least I did what I could.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 7/12/2018 at 9:50 AM, rejesterd said:He did a lazy thing that wasn't nearly as bad as what most fisherman do all the time.
I don’t know what kind of fishermen you hang out with, but I think what the person in the story did was far worse than what any fishermen I share water with would ever do. Accidentally losing soft plastics and fishing line and hooks is....... an accident. Sure it kills fish but it’s an accident. Killing fish intentionally and not using them is something you do on purpose and In my opinion should be illegal
rejesterd reply :
On 7/13/2018 at 5:28 AM, TnRiver46 said:Accidentally losing soft plastics and fishing line and hooks is....... an accident
The intent is irrelevant when it comes to what effect it has on the ecosystem. Both are almost insignificant, but that pollution from most fisherman is worse than a few dead fish in the water.
LadiMopar reply :
On 7/12/2018 at 9:50 AM, rejesterd said:If the fish somehow laid out there long enough for it to stink, you could've just removed them yourself rather than complain about them and the pike
@The Dread Pirate Fisherman wasn't complaining about the pike, he was making note of the fact that it had been illegally transferred.
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