So I know some people like to keep a fish here and there to eat and by all means if they abide by the laws and limits I could care less, I love perch and walleye. But you can't keep bass in nys till the second weekend in June( I think because of the late spawn due to our cold waters) and I happened to notice a guy fishing and keeping everything he caught such as blue gill, perch and caught a hefty 3-4lbs + bass using live bait then haul it into the bucket and pack up and leave... Should I have done something or said something? What are your thoughts? I wanted to to yell across the water way but I didn't want a confrontation.

It's poaching. Keep the number of the local dnr in your phone and call to report them. In todays world it may not be wise to confront them.

See the thread... ( People keeping everything they catch) its just very recently been discused

as he said, its poaching, illegal, and incorrect. 

 

here in Chihuahua, Mexico we have a big poaching issue, we are not allowed to fish (not even C&R) from March 10 to June 25. well, you can go right now to the lake and a lot of people will be catching and keeping every bass they can. we have 2 lakes within half an hour, and now, you can barely catch any fish, as poachers have literally taken all the fish in the lake. we have reported them to the authorities, but they dont care. i know authorities in the US care, so it would be good to report them now before its too late. one poacher will probably do no harm, but its illegal anyways. 

I agree, I'm not looking for a confrontation. I did once call the DEC to report illegal keeping of fish. They sent an officer over there, nailed him and called me back to let me know what happened.

I wouldn't confront them but I would probably give them a look to at least say I don't understand?  Depending though on who it is too, I'd also call the authorities on them if I can get their information.  IE License plate..etc.

we dont have bass season in alabama.  Can fish year round

we dont have bass season in alabama.  Can fish year round

Must be nice!  Been trying to convince my wife to move down south. 

Oklahoma also has no season, just different limit/size regs depending on the lake. I would call to report if I knew someone was poaching.

Would you let him grab something out of your tacklebox and walk off? Your money pays for public waters. In my mind it's not only poaching, but it's stealing from me and all the other folks that follow the rules. Call the game warden, they might not get there in time but at least you didn't just stand by watching it happen.

Thanks guys for your input.

I have walked over and explained what the laws are if they do not abide I will throw the Bass back in the water myself. The Police in Town along with Econ Officers are very responsive to this crap so having a cell phone also ratchets up the explanation of the law.......

I would also alert authorities, but would not personally confront. I worry about someone taking revenge on my car while I'm out on the lake. If they're willing to steal, who knows what else they are capable of.

I see your from NY. 1-800-TIPP-DEC is the NYS DEC poacher hotline. I have used it, and it works. A DEC officer was on the scene in minutes, offenders were caught.

Makes me abit mad everytime I see guys taking out of season fish and without a license.

Stuffing fish in plastic shopping bag esp makes me irked.. those fish aint surviving and no way is getting released .. out of season.. illegal... selfish.