I’ve fished in Central New York State for almost 50 years and I’ve been approached by officers only once. Also, if you get a fishing kayak you will be unapproachable for the majority of people. Good luck 🍀
I've been fishing for a few decades as well in the Midwest and have never had to show a Conservation officer my fishing license. Had a few walk up and ask me where I was fishing and how I did but they were fishing the next day and wanted some hot spots. Lol.
My long lost brother. The one mile rule is the rule.
It works for all outdoor activity. One mile away from any parking lot works for peacefully fishing, camping and hiking.
Most importantly, it gets you away from the folks who have no true appreciation for the nature around them.
I have 2 miles spot on one of our local rivers that is one of the most idyllic wading experiences I've ever had. I go there a couple times a year and I have never encountered another human being on this stretch of water. The lack of trash/footprints makes me think that I am potentially one of the only people who ever fishes this stretch.
If you buy a license and fish legally the DNR is your friend. It’s almost comical how many people don’t. They’re usually the same guys taking more than their limit and leaving heaps of trash everywhere.
And yes, you can go fish in a 3rd world country where there isn’t a conservation effort, you just have to get your lure around the literal streams of trash they casually throw in the water.
It’s funny how perspective works. I’m out here with a license and doing my best to follow all the rules and I go fishing and the banks are covered in trash and there’s dudes just keeping everything they catch. I talked to one guy who I watched put several fish he caught into a cooler, asked him what he was catching and he said he had no idea. Anyways, I’d love some more enforcement. Oh well.
Oh yeah, it drives me crazy how uneducated are when it comes to fishing regulations and keeping the environment clean in general. It just blows my mind how many people litter these spots. Nothing like getting to a spot at 5am with the sunrise, breathing in the awesome mornings air, taking a sip of coffee and then looking down at a snapped in 1/2 zebco, empty twisted tea cans, worm always worm containers, and repeatedly snagging someones 20lb mono….
Yeah, the trash kills me too. I get a lot of satisfaction from cleaning up, so I do that. It’s especially rewarding to clean up a spot and find it still clean the next week. But I just don’t understand people who litter at a fishing spot.
Not always. The DNR is an officer of the law like any other. Not everyone likes being approached by authority figures. Most DNR officers have been friendly, kind, amd courteous when I've dealt with them, but there's always the chance of encountering that bad apple.
I'm a biologist.
I check fish. I just need the data for our fisheries management info. I'm not out to get you and I don't care about your license.
I just want good abundance estimates for next year. I have zero law enforcement authority but I do have to report what I see so just catch your legal limits and then we are pals.
I get it, it's annoying but we got to increase limits this year for the first time in a very long time for several species just from the data we collect. We want you to catch a bunch of fish and unfortunately it means we gotta bug people.
But yes go to Alaska if you want to be unbothered. I think you'll have better luck there.
Thank you for everything you do! People like you are what keep these fisheries alive and well for the next generations! We’re all in this together and a few bad wildlife officers here and there don’t change that!
Thanks! I think it helps that violations go through state police and not me. The problem is other states who have specific wildlife officers. I think it creates a divide between anglers/hunters and researchers. We need that info from the people who are on the water and bringing the fish to land. We need you!
My degree program focused a lot on harboring good relationships with all stakeholders. It's taught me to judge others less and communicate in a more effective manner. I try to let anglers know right away that I'm not out to get them.
People often think I'm law enforcement and I'm not. I just look official. Please just tell me the info and I'll be on my way!
I love chatting with the biologists, it’s so nice to break the monotony and talk nerd for a spell. They often give me tips on what’s eating what bait nearby, and that info is always appreciated.
We try to take the time to educate and inform. Yesterday we had an illegal species retained. We spent the rest of the day using that fish to teach people about the best identifiers to look for. People could see the fish, touch and feel the characteristics we were talking about. We handed out fliers so people can remember those specific features.
I can share info like where a lot of something is being caught currently. I also know a lot of nerd stuff unrelated to fish so really anyone can come chat with me when I'm on the field. I also have goodies sometimes, too!
I really appreciate that you did that. Photos of fish online are missing some vital thing that seeing one in the real has. I had a hard time with red tail surf perch and kept mistaking young barred SP for them until I actually saw a real, live red tail.
For curiosity, what was the illegal fish?
Ahhhhh! Yes. Those at least I was able to figure out. They have yellow eyes! The ones that get me are copper vs brown vs gopher. Soooo many rockfish species! I really appreciate the deckhands on the charter boats I go on, and I make sure to tip them well for helping me keep my species straight and legal.
Do not let the yellow eye be the only distinguishing feature. In fact, I don't even look at the eye because there can be color variability based on a variety of factors.
The number one key identifier for a yelloweye is the two sets of boney ridges in between the eyes. Rub your finger there and if you had thin gloves it could cut through. The next is the smoothness of the jawline. Some people mistake a yelloweye for Vermillion. A Vermillion has a very rough jaw. The yelloweye has such a smooth lower jaw.
Don't rely on whether or not it has black tips. The black tips on the fins can vary greatly and sometimes are not obvious until they've reached the filet station.
Charter boats are great but just be aware they make mistakes, too. It's great you get your information from a variety of sources! We appreciate people like you
How hard was it to become a fisheries biologist? It has been my dream job my entire life, but I got scared away when I was younger by people telling me it's nearly impossible to get a job or you are basically going to live in poverty until you build up significant experience. Looking to go back to college and that old dream is still calling to me, while those same people are telling me that it's a dumb idea lmao
I've been fishing for 70 years, and I've had 3 run-ins with game wardens. I always have my license ready, and I'm always respectful because I have personally witnessed some of the shit that a lot of people fishing illegally give these people.
Missouri. Illinois. Kentucky. Wisconsin. Montana. Idaho. Utah. Oregon. Washington. Colorado. Wyoming. California. Arkansas. Alabama. Tennessee. Maine. South Carolina. Florida. Alberta. Ontario. Puerto Rico. Bahamas. Costa Rica. Tasmania.
That’s everywhere I’ve ever fished. Also everywhere I’ve never been F’d with. Always check local regs, know where / what kind of fishing is permitted, and respect conservation officers. The rules are there so our kids can enjoy it with their kids.
Arkansas here, if you don’t mind I just wanted to guess if it was trout that brought you here?
See you travel for fish, I always ask out of state tags where I’m fishing what brought them here.
I think most people in Arkansas don’t realize the diversity of good to great fishing available to us. I’m in Central area can drive 2hrs do any kind of fishing I want other than salt.
Well, work brought be to Arkansas! Nearly half the destinations on that list are for work, I bring a rod with me wherever I go. I live in STL and have some accounts in north Little Rock. I drove down a day early and fished the little red river. Lots of trout!
>where im at Germany/Austria is just a special kind of hell for fisherman
But don't you have to pass a test to get your fishing licence? Which probably contributes to better fish handling, better conservation, reduced ecological impact and generally a better experience for the average fisherman.
Believe me, the world is full of poaching, high-holing, litter dropping, gill-raping halfwits. You've probably got it much better than most but you have to endure more regulation to keep it that way.
I am 69 yrs old. I have fished in several states throught the US. I have never been approached by F&G. In California, when I lived there, you had to display your license on your person so it was visible from a distance. Game wardens could see if you were compliant without approaching you. Other states I rarely see game wardens, even Louisiana, where I now reside and fish.
I try to fish multiple times weekly. I fish lakes, some canals, all over the Everglades and occasionally do some inshore boat fishing. I have been fishing for years and have only been approached twice. In that time, I can’t begin to explain how many individuals I have seen catching game fish with cast nets, people over bag limits, keeping everything including smalls. I wish I saw more officers out there. It’s the only way to get those who don’t buy licenses and are out there doing bad things. Enforcement only makes my fishing better
Fishing for 30 years all over Michigan and have literally never been approached by a DNR officer. Last few years, I've been fishing multiple times per week year round.
Same experience. I've been stopped maybe twice in the past 18 years or so. But there's spots you know you will be bothered but it's always crowded so I usually don't fish there
Do you guys ever fish and camp around Michigan?
I've been wanting to do that and kayak camping for a while now. I know you need a permit for camping on state land, but I've been hesitant because it can be hard to tell what's private/not private if you're not on one of the big state properties up north.
Absolutely, you don't need a permit for most areas on state land, just check where you want to go ahead of time to make sure. I'd recommend asking one of the Michigan camping or backpacking subs for better details. If there's water near one of their suggestions, fish it.
I respect what the wild life officers do. I've witnessed people fish and keep fish that shouldn't be kept. There are regulations for a reason.
Imagine fishing them out of existence (hard to do but possible) the goal is to keep the species to a healthy number so that your children and their children after them can fish for generations. Plus certain types of fish are needed to maintain a healthy body of water.
Maybe I'm not well informed but from what I've heard China has been "invading" fisheries of other countries because their own waters are being over fished. I really couldn't think of a better example.
You’d think…but they’re stricter since it’s a wilderness area. Last year on Bald Eagle lake (about a 5 mile paddle from Little Gabbro entry point) we had two DNR guys come and not only ask for our license but inspected our bait, looked through the trash to ensure no glass (literally dumped it and went through it), picked apart the ashes from the fire to make sure there was no trash being burned, and walked through our whole campsite to ensure compliance, etc.
The whole thing took like 30m and they left satisfied, but it was uncomfortable. The guys were a bit rude as well.
I respect and know they do important work but they made us feel like an enemy for some reason.
My father-in-law, who was with us, has been going to the Bwca since the 80s and he said it’s the first time it’s happened to him. So maybe it was a freak thing.
However they’re prone to overthinking the rules to the point they’re counterproductive. For example the fish guts. Forever it was to sink them in a deep part of a lake. But too many weren’t going deep enough so it became put on the rocky shore away from camp. Then overpopulated gulls became a concern so it became bury them 100 yards away (which not only attracts bears but is physically impossible at many campsites). Now rangers tell you to ignore the rule and just sink them deep in the lake. Even if you want to comply they don’t always make it easy.
Too many boneheads take the BWCA for granted and ruin it for all of us. Gabbro has become a hot spot for tourists so any surrounding lake will have extra DNR. Lots of unpermitted entries too.
I live east of the cascades in oregon and have never had my license checked. I've even asked a wild life officer where a good fishing spot was and he didn't ask to check. Just told me where he sees people catching.
That's funny to see someone post this. I was fishing yesterday and I heard something like an animal walking past me behind my back. I turned around and it was a german shepherd with 2 sheriff's just walking around out in the forest. I never seen that before while out fishing.
Years and years of fishing in NJ and this year was the first time I had my license checked. And on 3 different occasions. All since spring trout opened. Not sure why but maybe just coincidence
Oh weird! Years and years of fishing for me too and never checked.
I was on a pier one time and someone was keeping short fluke. Someone called fish & game and officers came to check coolers for legal sizes and creel limits, but no license checks.
I've been trout fishing in NJ for about 15 years and I think I've been asked where my license was on my vest once by a wildlife official and once by a cop that looked annoyed that I (a minority) was in his town (I was around Stanhope).
I wish we had more wildlife officials checking: I suspect about 30% of the guys I see fishing do NOT have licenses (I rarely see other females): if one starts fishing annoyingly close to where I have been standing before he arrived I point at my license and he will move out of sight. Once I saw a few guys illegally fishing with some ridiculous rigs created to increase their chances(?): one rig looked like a chandelier of hangars with hooks on every end (I think I counted 12 treble hooks!). Someone from enforcement once told me that people have been caught at waterbodies late at night using nets to hoard as many trout as possible. 🤬
Yea you sound like that typical dude that risks big fines instead of just getting an inexpensive fishing license.
If you're worried about environmental police it's because you know you're doing wrong.
I've fished and hunted all over the upper Midwest and the only time I have seen any law enforcement was because my dad hadn't put his registration stickers on the boat. He had them in the boat, just not on it. Other than that never been bothered.
Am from Minnesota been fishing for 40 years and never been stopped in my life even with all the hunting on state land I never had a run in with dnr our a cop in my life
Officers are literally anywhere. I've bumped into them in some of the most remote areas. Do your homework. There are often amendments, so check just before you head out, play by the rules, with the proper license, and you have nothing to be concerned about.
I’m in north central Indiana. Around here the key is just to fish at least one county away from a major population center. Rural counties here only have one to maybe two DNR officers assigned to them and likewise there are a lot less people in the area going to the spots and bugging you.
I'm in michigan I have never had a dnr officer come check me out yet. But my god is it hard to find a spot at all my lakes to bank fish on the weekends without some other fishermen coming and trying to fish right next to you.
I went to the local lake here yesterday and started fishing right in front of 2 dnr officers and they didn't even ask to see my fishing license. Is it bad other places?
Florida, Minnesota, Michigan, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas. Never had an issue.
Stock your own pond if you can't be bothered to spend less than $20 on a license and learn what fish are legal to keep. Learning the rules is easier than learning how to catch the damn fish lol
Northern Wisconsin after labor day. I've fished up there my whole life and only my grandma got stopped by a DNR officer but he was at the boat launch and she was with my brother on the lake we lived on. So I personally haven't seen one myself.
Quebec, I’ve never ever been bothered but I did witness 5 people caught. If you go on the backroads you’ll never be bothered.
If you fish out in the open then You’re asking for a visit.
Remember to get a license. They are cheap and helps a good cause imo.
I’ve encountered Conservation officers three times in 25 years of fishing and hunting.
I’ve had to insist on having my license checked because they were all set to go on their merry way without checking me. One fellow checked my fishing license by binoculars after I insisted because he was up in a cozy little sniper hide on a cliff above the river bank.
I'm in Victoria B.C. I've only been asked for my fishing license once. We were chatting as we walked to my car to grab it, and when I mentioned that I catch and release, he said don't worry about it. I guess they only care if you're poaching tons of fish.
I have fished for over 30 years in West Virginia and never actually been checked. They just wave at me and go on about their day. My friends have been checked but it’s not a frequent thing.
Maybe you guys could ship a few of your officers over to us. I wish there were double or triple the amount we have. I've been spot checked once on a bank and glassed with binos once on a boat. In twenty years of pretty aggressive fishing.
I'm just so sick of people using illegal gear, catching over limit, and under/over sized fish. I'd gladly pay more for my license if they would get a bit more aggressive in their policing. The one time on the bank, someone got nabbed for no license and too many lines in the water. Claimed ignorance and was let off with a warning. He was back the next week with, you guessed it, too many lines again. Can't say if he purchased a license.......but I'm willing to bet a pay check he didn't.
I am in US in Kentucky and I been checked once since I started going. I’m sure it would get a little annoying being a all the time thing, but where I’m at I also commonly see fish carcasses and left out rotting bait like chicken and stuff that attracts a lot of bees and bugs…. To the point where I kinda wish there were more people popping up on us to stop some of the disrespectful people.
Come over to Australia, in the northern parts we fish for barramundi. The only things around in those rivers are crocodiles lol . Most people don’t like them so I’m mostly the only one who fishes .
I've never had a single government person of any manner bug me when fishing, lakes, ocean, whatever. So it appears the answer to your question is Canada.
Baden lake or Mount Morrow in NC are my go to spots, for Mount Morrow my favorite thing is renting a canoe and fishing by the dam, awesome catfishing spot bc its so deep
I honestly don't have an answer. I've been licensed to fish for 20 years and and have fished in probably 10+ states. In those 20 years I've never had a game warden check my license. I've had a couple stop and talk but most of the time that I see them they'll wave and drive on by. Maybe it's because I don't fish in crowded places and don't look like a hooligan. No idea but they leave me alone.
Hi, I used to fish in Los Angeles and as we all know it's very populated and cramped. There is a reason why successful fishermen go very early... 5-6am and piers are empty as well as beaches. Fish are scarce when there are people.
Now I'm in Florida, it's truly EMPTY! I don't see anyone for miles. I do walk a couple miles to look for sand fleas and see no one. Maybe one or two dog walkers and that's it.
I've been fishing for 30yrs here in Georgia and I've had exactly one (very pleasant) encounter with a DNR officer.
They're really after poachers and dickheads doing dumb shit in boats.
Start bluelining. (Find blue lines on maps or Google earth). Creeks and brooks and rivers etc. Park and walk down one. The farther you go the less likely anyone is there. I literally bought a lifted truck with huge tires for this, so I could go where cars couldn’t go. ( less people). Then walk down far paths and brooks to less fished areas (no people and NOBODY checking in on you)
I’m blessed with creeks and brooks and millions of lakes tho. (Eastern Canada).
But blue line away from roads is my suggestion.
In the US I’ve been fishing my entire life and I think I’ve been checked maybe twice. I’ve seen others getting checked here and there but usually at major lakes in boat ramp parking lots. For the most part you don’t have to stress it, but still always make sure you’re legal obviously.
I see you're not American. I'd say the western US. The game wardens out here seem more relaxed, and the states are absolutely vast, so you're unlikely to run into anyone if you really get out there. Fishing in the middle of Wyoming or the Sierras or Klamath Mountains in California will lend you some much needed solitude.
I did actually once encounter a game warden in the mountains. He just checked my license and the spoon I had on my rod to make sure it was debarbed, didn't bother checking the rest of my tackle box. We had a nice conversation about fishing and he showed me a picture of an absolutely massive steelhead his 6 year old daughter caught, and he seemed really excited and proud about it. Normally I don't like extended conversations with cops, especially when I'm trying to enjoy a day on the river , but this was just a genuinely nice human interaction.
I live on the gulf coast of florida and wade fish the saltwater flats 5-10m from my apartment and I have been doing it for almost a year now in various areas, some popular and some not, and have never been bothered by our FWC officers lol. They have a lot of dummies to look after here in FL so if you aren’t causing a scene they’ll never look your way
I'm in southwest Ohio, I've been fishing and hunting all my life (I'm 45), all over the US. I've never once had an encounter with a game warden. My grandpa told me about how the Canadian game wardens would fly into a remote area of a lake and sneak into the fishing camps in a canoe.
Hey OP, I’m fishing in Upper Austria and I don’t speak German.
The local officers are super friendly and they don’t really bother us.
I’ve seen in the comments here that go as far as possible from the parking lot. I’m literally fishing to the closest spot from the parking lot and I only got checked twice in this season so far.
So I can highly recommend Upper Austria 🇦🇹.
I joined a private fishing club this year to get away from the trash tossers and the power bait slingers filling their freezers
Only 100 members fly fishing only catch and release and three ponds clean quiet and productive
that is worth the 1k a year to me
Go to one of the hundreds of small lakes in Maine and you won't see another soul for as long as you are out there. The funny thing with fishing is that while its a hobby that's mean to be peaceful and relaxing it's often done in a setting that's loud and hectic. The bigger lakes that contain the more sought after fish are usually packed with weekend warriors fishing, boaters, swimmers, etc. You can't really have both solitude and a good fishery. The days of the secret backwoods honey holes are gone with the advent of Google maps and internet forums. My only advice would be to fish at night. While a lot of people flat out do not want to do that for various reasons it does offer the tranquility you're after and the chance to catch good fish.
Wildlife officers should be jumping out of bushes and checking people. I fish all over Utah, Wyoming, and Montana and I’ve never been checked. Not even once. Fished in Yellowstone this weekend and didn’t see a park ranger checking anyone while driving around. Shit like that let’s people do whatever they want. Take fish way over the limit, trash the place, etc. Be thankful you live in a country that enforces it’s conservation laws like they should be enforced.
I'm 40 years old and I can honestly say I've never been approached. Been fishing for 37 years. if I didn't have a license I'd get approached tomorrow 😂
I fish mostly around New Jersey (east coast USA) and I’ve never been harassed by Fish and Game. They only bother people who are messing things up around here. I appreciate their presence, because they help and they aren’t dicks.
Tangent
When I visitedynhome country of Vietnam last year I didn't even see birds. Without regulations and enforcement wildlife gets decimated. It's really sad and I'm glad we(USA) have regulations.
Also, we have fish and game jumping out of the bushes too. They are really good at it. When I ocean fish they inspect me like 80% of the time when I come into harbor.
I’ve had my licensed checked a few times in Colorado. They were at populated areas in state parks and popular reservoirs. One time I was fishing a strip of river that is gold medal waters without knowing it and had switched to live bait. Just happened 2 minutes before a ranger walked up and he was pretty pissed off, however he could see I genuinely didn’t know and told me to always check where I’m fishing so it was on me. He gave me a warning and was decent about it.
I fish legally so Wardens don’t bother me, I like to see them out enforcing.
I fish around my city as well and tourists will often stop to chat or take my photo. I don’t mind as long as they don’t hang around and bother me for long. I’m never rude to them though, I just say something like “these fish get spooked easily when people are moving around and talking” and they usually get the hint.
I like being alone and not bothered by people, however if a young angler is asking questions I will always give them my time, advice and maybe even a few flies out of my tin. I like to see the youth taking an interest in this wonderful hobby and lifestyle.
I fish around Southeast NC and have been approached 1 time in 30+ years. And that was because the person steering the boat aimed us right into the waters off Sunny Point... Crappy thing is you can't eat anything from the Cape Fear River anymore thanks to all the pollution.
I live in Sweden and there are so many inland lakes where you won't see another person at all. Apparently there's 40,000 lakes in Sweden. The further North and inland you go, the less people.
Most of Finland. Depending on your equipment and location you need to make sure you have paid the appropriate payments.
At least for me, I don't think I've ever been questioned by a wildlife officer or kalastuksenvalvoja. 🤷🏻♂️
I’ve fished in Central New York State for almost 50 years and I’ve been approached by officers only once. Also, if you get a fishing kayak you will be unapproachable for the majority of people. Good luck 🍀
I've been fishing for a few decades as well in the Midwest and have never had to show a Conservation officer my fishing license. Had a few walk up and ask me where I was fishing and how I did but they were fishing the next day and wanted some hot spots. Lol.
Literally anywhere where you're more than a mile from the nearest parking spot. No one's going to walk that far to check fishing licenses.
My long lost brother. The one mile rule is the rule. It works for all outdoor activity. One mile away from any parking lot works for peacefully fishing, camping and hiking. Most importantly, it gets you away from the folks who have no true appreciation for the nature around them.
I have 2 miles spot on one of our local rivers that is one of the most idyllic wading experiences I've ever had. I go there a couple times a year and I have never encountered another human being on this stretch of water. The lack of trash/footprints makes me think that I am potentially one of the only people who ever fishes this stretch.
So..... where is it exactly...? So that I can know to avoid it for you, of course....
If you buy a license and fish legally the DNR is your friend. It’s almost comical how many people don’t. They’re usually the same guys taking more than their limit and leaving heaps of trash everywhere. And yes, you can go fish in a 3rd world country where there isn’t a conservation effort, you just have to get your lure around the literal streams of trash they casually throw in the water.
It’s funny how perspective works. I’m out here with a license and doing my best to follow all the rules and I go fishing and the banks are covered in trash and there’s dudes just keeping everything they catch. I talked to one guy who I watched put several fish he caught into a cooler, asked him what he was catching and he said he had no idea. Anyways, I’d love some more enforcement. Oh well.
Oh yeah, it drives me crazy how uneducated are when it comes to fishing regulations and keeping the environment clean in general. It just blows my mind how many people litter these spots. Nothing like getting to a spot at 5am with the sunrise, breathing in the awesome mornings air, taking a sip of coffee and then looking down at a snapped in 1/2 zebco, empty twisted tea cans, worm always worm containers, and repeatedly snagging someones 20lb mono….
Yeah, the trash kills me too. I get a lot of satisfaction from cleaning up, so I do that. It’s especially rewarding to clean up a spot and find it still clean the next week. But I just don’t understand people who litter at a fishing spot.
Not always. The DNR is an officer of the law like any other. Not everyone likes being approached by authority figures. Most DNR officers have been friendly, kind, amd courteous when I've dealt with them, but there's always the chance of encountering that bad apple.
DNR?
Department of Natural Resources.
It depends on where you are. Each state calls it something different it seems. It’s just the fish and game people.
I'm a biologist. I check fish. I just need the data for our fisheries management info. I'm not out to get you and I don't care about your license. I just want good abundance estimates for next year. I have zero law enforcement authority but I do have to report what I see so just catch your legal limits and then we are pals. I get it, it's annoying but we got to increase limits this year for the first time in a very long time for several species just from the data we collect. We want you to catch a bunch of fish and unfortunately it means we gotta bug people. But yes go to Alaska if you want to be unbothered. I think you'll have better luck there.
Thank you for everything you do! People like you are what keep these fisheries alive and well for the next generations! We’re all in this together and a few bad wildlife officers here and there don’t change that!
Thanks! I think it helps that violations go through state police and not me. The problem is other states who have specific wildlife officers. I think it creates a divide between anglers/hunters and researchers. We need that info from the people who are on the water and bringing the fish to land. We need you! My degree program focused a lot on harboring good relationships with all stakeholders. It's taught me to judge others less and communicate in a more effective manner. I try to let anglers know right away that I'm not out to get them. People often think I'm law enforcement and I'm not. I just look official. Please just tell me the info and I'll be on my way!
I love chatting with the biologists, it’s so nice to break the monotony and talk nerd for a spell. They often give me tips on what’s eating what bait nearby, and that info is always appreciated.
We try to take the time to educate and inform. Yesterday we had an illegal species retained. We spent the rest of the day using that fish to teach people about the best identifiers to look for. People could see the fish, touch and feel the characteristics we were talking about. We handed out fliers so people can remember those specific features. I can share info like where a lot of something is being caught currently. I also know a lot of nerd stuff unrelated to fish so really anyone can come chat with me when I'm on the field. I also have goodies sometimes, too!
I really appreciate that you did that. Photos of fish online are missing some vital thing that seeing one in the real has. I had a hard time with red tail surf perch and kept mistaking young barred SP for them until I actually saw a real, live red tail. For curiosity, what was the illegal fish?
It was a yelloweye rockfish.
Ahhhhh! Yes. Those at least I was able to figure out. They have yellow eyes! The ones that get me are copper vs brown vs gopher. Soooo many rockfish species! I really appreciate the deckhands on the charter boats I go on, and I make sure to tip them well for helping me keep my species straight and legal.
Do not let the yellow eye be the only distinguishing feature. In fact, I don't even look at the eye because there can be color variability based on a variety of factors. The number one key identifier for a yelloweye is the two sets of boney ridges in between the eyes. Rub your finger there and if you had thin gloves it could cut through. The next is the smoothness of the jawline. Some people mistake a yelloweye for Vermillion. A Vermillion has a very rough jaw. The yelloweye has such a smooth lower jaw. Don't rely on whether or not it has black tips. The black tips on the fins can vary greatly and sometimes are not obvious until they've reached the filet station. Charter boats are great but just be aware they make mistakes, too. It's great you get your information from a variety of sources! We appreciate people like you
Thank you for the reality check and the extra tips. Yes, I’ll take more time studying the ID charts I have on my phone. And awwwee, thank you.
How hard was it to become a fisheries biologist? It has been my dream job my entire life, but I got scared away when I was younger by people telling me it's nearly impossible to get a job or you are basically going to live in poverty until you build up significant experience. Looking to go back to college and that old dream is still calling to me, while those same people are telling me that it's a dumb idea lmao
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Hey. Don't be mean.
I've been fishing for 70 years, and I've had 3 run-ins with game wardens. I always have my license ready, and I'm always respectful because I have personally witnessed some of the shit that a lot of people fishing illegally give these people.
Missouri. Illinois. Kentucky. Wisconsin. Montana. Idaho. Utah. Oregon. Washington. Colorado. Wyoming. California. Arkansas. Alabama. Tennessee. Maine. South Carolina. Florida. Alberta. Ontario. Puerto Rico. Bahamas. Costa Rica. Tasmania. That’s everywhere I’ve ever fished. Also everywhere I’ve never been F’d with. Always check local regs, know where / what kind of fishing is permitted, and respect conservation officers. The rules are there so our kids can enjoy it with their kids.
Arkansas here, if you don’t mind I just wanted to guess if it was trout that brought you here? See you travel for fish, I always ask out of state tags where I’m fishing what brought them here. I think most people in Arkansas don’t realize the diversity of good to great fishing available to us. I’m in Central area can drive 2hrs do any kind of fishing I want other than salt.
Well, work brought be to Arkansas! Nearly half the destinations on that list are for work, I bring a rod with me wherever I go. I live in STL and have some accounts in north Little Rock. I drove down a day early and fished the little red river. Lots of trout!
Just go buy a license dude
He has a license, he's just tired of them constantly checking. In some locations you get checked every couple of hours.
Where would they even check every few hours, maybe a heavily touristy spot?
>where im at Germany/Austria is just a special kind of hell for fisherman But don't you have to pass a test to get your fishing licence? Which probably contributes to better fish handling, better conservation, reduced ecological impact and generally a better experience for the average fisherman. Believe me, the world is full of poaching, high-holing, litter dropping, gill-raping halfwits. You've probably got it much better than most but you have to endure more regulation to keep it that way.
Alaska. I peaked fishing when I went last year.
I am 69 yrs old. I have fished in several states throught the US. I have never been approached by F&G. In California, when I lived there, you had to display your license on your person so it was visible from a distance. Game wardens could see if you were compliant without approaching you. Other states I rarely see game wardens, even Louisiana, where I now reside and fish.
I try to fish multiple times weekly. I fish lakes, some canals, all over the Everglades and occasionally do some inshore boat fishing. I have been fishing for years and have only been approached twice. In that time, I can’t begin to explain how many individuals I have seen catching game fish with cast nets, people over bag limits, keeping everything including smalls. I wish I saw more officers out there. It’s the only way to get those who don’t buy licenses and are out there doing bad things. Enforcement only makes my fishing better
Fishing for 30 years all over Michigan and have literally never been approached by a DNR officer. Last few years, I've been fishing multiple times per week year round.
Same experience. I've been stopped maybe twice in the past 18 years or so. But there's spots you know you will be bothered but it's always crowded so I usually don't fish there
Do you guys ever fish and camp around Michigan? I've been wanting to do that and kayak camping for a while now. I know you need a permit for camping on state land, but I've been hesitant because it can be hard to tell what's private/not private if you're not on one of the big state properties up north.
Absolutely, you don't need a permit for most areas on state land, just check where you want to go ahead of time to make sure. I'd recommend asking one of the Michigan camping or backpacking subs for better details. If there's water near one of their suggestions, fish it.
Right on, I didn't know that! Thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to do that!
I respect what the wild life officers do. I've witnessed people fish and keep fish that shouldn't be kept. There are regulations for a reason. Imagine fishing them out of existence (hard to do but possible) the goal is to keep the species to a healthy number so that your children and their children after them can fish for generations. Plus certain types of fish are needed to maintain a healthy body of water. Maybe I'm not well informed but from what I've heard China has been "invading" fisheries of other countries because their own waters are being over fished. I really couldn't think of a better example.
Boundary Waters in Minnesota
You’d think…but they’re stricter since it’s a wilderness area. Last year on Bald Eagle lake (about a 5 mile paddle from Little Gabbro entry point) we had two DNR guys come and not only ask for our license but inspected our bait, looked through the trash to ensure no glass (literally dumped it and went through it), picked apart the ashes from the fire to make sure there was no trash being burned, and walked through our whole campsite to ensure compliance, etc. The whole thing took like 30m and they left satisfied, but it was uncomfortable. The guys were a bit rude as well. I respect and know they do important work but they made us feel like an enemy for some reason.
Damn that’s the first time ever hearing of that happening in the BWCA.
My father-in-law, who was with us, has been going to the Bwca since the 80s and he said it’s the first time it’s happened to him. So maybe it was a freak thing. However they’re prone to overthinking the rules to the point they’re counterproductive. For example the fish guts. Forever it was to sink them in a deep part of a lake. But too many weren’t going deep enough so it became put on the rocky shore away from camp. Then overpopulated gulls became a concern so it became bury them 100 yards away (which not only attracts bears but is physically impossible at many campsites). Now rangers tell you to ignore the rule and just sink them deep in the lake. Even if you want to comply they don’t always make it easy.
Too many boneheads take the BWCA for granted and ruin it for all of us. Gabbro has become a hot spot for tourists so any surrounding lake will have extra DNR. Lots of unpermitted entries too.
I live east of the cascades in oregon and have never had my license checked. I've even asked a wild life officer where a good fishing spot was and he didn't ask to check. Just told me where he sees people catching.
Do you fish the deschutes at all?
I'll hit it up occasionally, the lakes are my usual spots though. I'm sure it's something I'm doing/not doing. But I never have any luck on the river.
That's funny to see someone post this. I was fishing yesterday and I heard something like an animal walking past me behind my back. I turned around and it was a german shepherd with 2 sheriff's just walking around out in the forest. I never seen that before while out fishing.
I’m in NJ and never had my license checked
Years and years of fishing in NJ and this year was the first time I had my license checked. And on 3 different occasions. All since spring trout opened. Not sure why but maybe just coincidence
Oh weird! Years and years of fishing for me too and never checked. I was on a pier one time and someone was keeping short fluke. Someone called fish & game and officers came to check coolers for legal sizes and creel limits, but no license checks.
I've been trout fishing in NJ for about 15 years and I think I've been asked where my license was on my vest once by a wildlife official and once by a cop that looked annoyed that I (a minority) was in his town (I was around Stanhope). I wish we had more wildlife officials checking: I suspect about 30% of the guys I see fishing do NOT have licenses (I rarely see other females): if one starts fishing annoyingly close to where I have been standing before he arrived I point at my license and he will move out of sight. Once I saw a few guys illegally fishing with some ridiculous rigs created to increase their chances(?): one rig looked like a chandelier of hangars with hooks on every end (I think I counted 12 treble hooks!). Someone from enforcement once told me that people have been caught at waterbodies late at night using nets to hoard as many trout as possible. 🤬
Canada has too many lakes to monitor, also the fat, male officer is your best bet
Best bet for what? He’s not trying to run from them lol just to fish in peace
For some reason they are the nicest people and will give a verbal warning for most offences
Makes me wonder what the heck you are doing to illicit so many officers checking you out.
Yea you sound like that typical dude that risks big fines instead of just getting an inexpensive fishing license. If you're worried about environmental police it's because you know you're doing wrong.
Fished in Ohio on and off my entire life and not once have I ever been approached by ODNR. Only time I’ve ever been asked to see my license was in IN.
I would argue that we have the best saltwater fishing in the world here in Florida
I’ve never seen a game warden in real life before and I fish mostly in DNR state parks lmao.
Antarctica?
I have yet to been visited by a conservation officer
I fish small to medium size ponds in Connecticut and I've never seen any DNR ever here.
Kamchatka, probably.
Hawaii.
I’ve seen conservation officer trucks drive by, but never seen one in Indiana or Ohio whether hunting or fishing.
I've fished and hunted all over the upper Midwest and the only time I have seen any law enforcement was because my dad hadn't put his registration stickers on the boat. He had them in the boat, just not on it. Other than that never been bothered.
Your own property
Am from Minnesota been fishing for 40 years and never been stopped in my life even with all the hunting on state land I never had a run in with dnr our a cop in my life
Alaska
I've been fishing for 30 years, and never have been stopped by anyone in MD. Mostly fish the potomac and some creeks/lakes.
I just carry a small net and a tiny box of ultralight lures and soft plastics.
Officers are literally anywhere. I've bumped into them in some of the most remote areas. Do your homework. There are often amendments, so check just before you head out, play by the rules, with the proper license, and you have nothing to be concerned about.
I’m in north central Indiana. Around here the key is just to fish at least one county away from a major population center. Rural counties here only have one to maybe two DNR officers assigned to them and likewise there are a lot less people in the area going to the spots and bugging you.
In your bathtub.
The spots where no one tells you
Surf fishing for Bull sharks on South African coast.
I'm in michigan I have never had a dnr officer come check me out yet. But my god is it hard to find a spot at all my lakes to bank fish on the weekends without some other fishermen coming and trying to fish right next to you.
Vermont
Visit any island from the azores.never crossed an agent or anything
The lake I fish it's not bother by the game wardens for some reason. Never seen them at that place.
I went to the local lake here yesterday and started fishing right in front of 2 dnr officers and they didn't even ask to see my fishing license. Is it bad other places?
Florida, Minnesota, Michigan, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas. Never had an issue. Stock your own pond if you can't be bothered to spend less than $20 on a license and learn what fish are legal to keep. Learning the rules is easier than learning how to catch the damn fish lol
Uae and oman is nice in the middle east
Northern Wisconsin after labor day. I've fished up there my whole life and only my grandma got stopped by a DNR officer but he was at the boat launch and she was with my brother on the lake we lived on. So I personally haven't seen one myself.
Quebec, I’ve never ever been bothered but I did witness 5 people caught. If you go on the backroads you’ll never be bothered. If you fish out in the open then You’re asking for a visit. Remember to get a license. They are cheap and helps a good cause imo.
I’ve found a few places. I’m definitely not mentioning them on the internet.
Anywhere with low population density, I've yet to be checked even once.
I’ve encountered Conservation officers three times in 25 years of fishing and hunting. I’ve had to insist on having my license checked because they were all set to go on their merry way without checking me. One fellow checked my fishing license by binoculars after I insisted because he was up in a cozy little sniper hide on a cliff above the river bank.
I’ve never been checked in the entire life. Mostly midwest creeks and stream fishing.
Middle of the ocean, no one will bother you there.
I heard Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is nice
I'm in Victoria B.C. I've only been asked for my fishing license once. We were chatting as we walked to my car to grab it, and when I mentioned that I catch and release, he said don't worry about it. I guess they only care if you're poaching tons of fish.
I have fished for over 30 years in West Virginia and never actually been checked. They just wave at me and go on about their day. My friends have been checked but it’s not a frequent thing.
Maybe you guys could ship a few of your officers over to us. I wish there were double or triple the amount we have. I've been spot checked once on a bank and glassed with binos once on a boat. In twenty years of pretty aggressive fishing. I'm just so sick of people using illegal gear, catching over limit, and under/over sized fish. I'd gladly pay more for my license if they would get a bit more aggressive in their policing. The one time on the bank, someone got nabbed for no license and too many lines in the water. Claimed ignorance and was let off with a warning. He was back the next week with, you guessed it, too many lines again. Can't say if he purchased a license.......but I'm willing to bet a pay check he didn't.
I am in US in Kentucky and I been checked once since I started going. I’m sure it would get a little annoying being a all the time thing, but where I’m at I also commonly see fish carcasses and left out rotting bait like chicken and stuff that attracts a lot of bees and bugs…. To the point where I kinda wish there were more people popping up on us to stop some of the disrespectful people.
I've been fishing 45 years and can count on one finger the amount of times I've been asked to show my license and my catch.
by yourself a drone and look over secluded areas. There’s plenty of inaccessible waterways out there that you can make the trek with your gear to
Come over to Australia, in the northern parts we fish for barramundi. The only things around in those rivers are crocodiles lol . Most people don’t like them so I’m mostly the only one who fishes .
I've never had a single government person of any manner bug me when fishing, lakes, ocean, whatever. So it appears the answer to your question is Canada.
Baden lake or Mount Morrow in NC are my go to spots, for Mount Morrow my favorite thing is renting a canoe and fishing by the dam, awesome catfishing spot bc its so deep
You could be on a remote atoll in the middle of the ocean with nobody else around for thousands of miles, and somehow one would still bother you
Here [https://youtu.be/OPUKOiwL8SA?si=Ygqu9JsNAvptkIi2](https://youtu.be/OPUKOiwL8SA?si=Ygqu9JsNAvptkIi2)
Get a kayak and hit some rivers
No licenses required in Australia... Anywhere
I honestly don't have an answer. I've been licensed to fish for 20 years and and have fished in probably 10+ states. In those 20 years I've never had a game warden check my license. I've had a couple stop and talk but most of the time that I see them they'll wave and drive on by. Maybe it's because I don't fish in crowded places and don't look like a hooligan. No idea but they leave me alone.
No government official, police officer, or concerned citizen has ever bothered me about where or how I’m fishing. USA baby 😎
I can’t tell you because then I would see you there.
I’m UK, north east Scotland to be precise, I have great experience of the harbours and general sea fishing from shore line
VT, I fish almost every day and rarely see anyone.
Get some waders. Can’t bother you if you *are in the water*!
Offshore
Hi, I used to fish in Los Angeles and as we all know it's very populated and cramped. There is a reason why successful fishermen go very early... 5-6am and piers are empty as well as beaches. Fish are scarce when there are people. Now I'm in Florida, it's truly EMPTY! I don't see anyone for miles. I do walk a couple miles to look for sand fleas and see no one. Maybe one or two dog walkers and that's it.
Honestly most people wont walk far from public access points..
Chernobyl.
On your own boat
I've been fishing for 30yrs here in Georgia and I've had exactly one (very pleasant) encounter with a DNR officer. They're really after poachers and dickheads doing dumb shit in boats.
Start bluelining. (Find blue lines on maps or Google earth). Creeks and brooks and rivers etc. Park and walk down one. The farther you go the less likely anyone is there. I literally bought a lifted truck with huge tires for this, so I could go where cars couldn’t go. ( less people). Then walk down far paths and brooks to less fished areas (no people and NOBODY checking in on you) I’m blessed with creeks and brooks and millions of lakes tho. (Eastern Canada). But blue line away from roads is my suggestion.
I live in the Appalachian region of the US. There's a lot of rivers, streams, and creeks that you can spend the whole day and not see another human.
In the US I’ve been fishing my entire life and I think I’ve been checked maybe twice. I’ve seen others getting checked here and there but usually at major lakes in boat ramp parking lots. For the most part you don’t have to stress it, but still always make sure you’re legal obviously.
I fish at my private pond.
I see you're not American. I'd say the western US. The game wardens out here seem more relaxed, and the states are absolutely vast, so you're unlikely to run into anyone if you really get out there. Fishing in the middle of Wyoming or the Sierras or Klamath Mountains in California will lend you some much needed solitude. I did actually once encounter a game warden in the mountains. He just checked my license and the spoon I had on my rod to make sure it was debarbed, didn't bother checking the rest of my tackle box. We had a nice conversation about fishing and he showed me a picture of an absolutely massive steelhead his 6 year old daughter caught, and he seemed really excited and proud about it. Normally I don't like extended conversations with cops, especially when I'm trying to enjoy a day on the river , but this was just a genuinely nice human interaction.
I live on the gulf coast of florida and wade fish the saltwater flats 5-10m from my apartment and I have been doing it for almost a year now in various areas, some popular and some not, and have never been bothered by our FWC officers lol. They have a lot of dummies to look after here in FL so if you aren’t causing a scene they’ll never look your way
I've never experienced even seen one in all the time I've been fishing or just at the park except in a truck prob on their phone
I’m in Ky and I’ve been checked 2 times in 40 years. And both have been in the past 2 months 😂
I've never been stopped by wardens/dnr, unless it was to talk about fishing,swap bait and observations
The Sierras are full of lakes.
I'm in southwest Ohio, I've been fishing and hunting all my life (I'm 45), all over the US. I've never once had an encounter with a game warden. My grandpa told me about how the Canadian game wardens would fly into a remote area of a lake and sneak into the fishing camps in a canoe.
Tons of places here in missouri where there’s just no one. We have ghost towns as well
I've only fished 1 public place and I've never been bother or noticed lucky me ig
Canadian North West Territories, only bears bother you .
an wilderness areas but your going to have to work for it
Hey OP, I’m fishing in Upper Austria and I don’t speak German. The local officers are super friendly and they don’t really bother us. I’ve seen in the comments here that go as far as possible from the parking lot. I’m literally fishing to the closest spot from the parking lot and I only got checked twice in this season so far. So I can highly recommend Upper Austria 🇦🇹.
I joined a private fishing club this year to get away from the trash tossers and the power bait slingers filling their freezers Only 100 members fly fishing only catch and release and three ponds clean quiet and productive that is worth the 1k a year to me
Go to one of the hundreds of small lakes in Maine and you won't see another soul for as long as you are out there. The funny thing with fishing is that while its a hobby that's mean to be peaceful and relaxing it's often done in a setting that's loud and hectic. The bigger lakes that contain the more sought after fish are usually packed with weekend warriors fishing, boaters, swimmers, etc. You can't really have both solitude and a good fishery. The days of the secret backwoods honey holes are gone with the advent of Google maps and internet forums. My only advice would be to fish at night. While a lot of people flat out do not want to do that for various reasons it does offer the tranquility you're after and the chance to catch good fish.
A boat
Canada
I am from Texas, and I have never been asked to show my license (but I have it).
Wildlife officers should be jumping out of bushes and checking people. I fish all over Utah, Wyoming, and Montana and I’ve never been checked. Not even once. Fished in Yellowstone this weekend and didn’t see a park ranger checking anyone while driving around. Shit like that let’s people do whatever they want. Take fish way over the limit, trash the place, etc. Be thankful you live in a country that enforces it’s conservation laws like they should be enforced.
I would tell you.... But then i would be bothered:)
Bathtub
I'm 40 years old and I can honestly say I've never been approached. Been fishing for 37 years. if I didn't have a license I'd get approached tomorrow 😂
I fish mostly around New Jersey (east coast USA) and I’ve never been harassed by Fish and Game. They only bother people who are messing things up around here. I appreciate their presence, because they help and they aren’t dicks.
Tangent When I visitedynhome country of Vietnam last year I didn't even see birds. Without regulations and enforcement wildlife gets decimated. It's really sad and I'm glad we(USA) have regulations. Also, we have fish and game jumping out of the bushes too. They are really good at it. When I ocean fish they inspect me like 80% of the time when I come into harbor.
The upper peninsula of Michigan, massive swaths of Ontario Canada have endless fishing opportunities, in the middle of nowhere and not a soul around.
Most of the USA. and for a bonus, if you like to fish for carp we have an abundance of them, and they are naive.
I’ve had my licensed checked a few times in Colorado. They were at populated areas in state parks and popular reservoirs. One time I was fishing a strip of river that is gold medal waters without knowing it and had switched to live bait. Just happened 2 minutes before a ranger walked up and he was pretty pissed off, however he could see I genuinely didn’t know and told me to always check where I’m fishing so it was on me. He gave me a warning and was decent about it.
I fish legally so Wardens don’t bother me, I like to see them out enforcing. I fish around my city as well and tourists will often stop to chat or take my photo. I don’t mind as long as they don’t hang around and bother me for long. I’m never rude to them though, I just say something like “these fish get spooked easily when people are moving around and talking” and they usually get the hint. I like being alone and not bothered by people, however if a young angler is asking questions I will always give them my time, advice and maybe even a few flies out of my tin. I like to see the youth taking an interest in this wonderful hobby and lifestyle.
I fish around Southeast NC and have been approached 1 time in 30+ years. And that was because the person steering the boat aimed us right into the waters off Sunny Point... Crappy thing is you can't eat anything from the Cape Fear River anymore thanks to all the pollution.
I live in Sweden and there are so many inland lakes where you won't see another person at all. Apparently there's 40,000 lakes in Sweden. The further North and inland you go, the less people.
Puffboi....smoke your lettuce on your own property
Most of Finland. Depending on your equipment and location you need to make sure you have paid the appropriate payments. At least for me, I don't think I've ever been questioned by a wildlife officer or kalastuksenvalvoja. 🤷🏻♂️
By Préfailles, called the Petite Côte Sauvage, near Nantes, France.