Game Warden on Walleye Opener

[Jay Hames]

We were in middle of lake. The Game Warden boat stopped and want to check everything in my boat and license. I asked him before check on us, May I see your ID Badge? He said sure, showed me his id then I allow him to inspect our license and check if we catch any fishes...none. It was morning. Later in late afternoon, He came back again and asked if we catch any fish. I told him One walleye then he wants to check the measure. It was 17 inches long. He said Okay, Have a good summer! Did Game Warden stop you for any reason? Lets hear your story, good or bad?

[Hawgeye]

I went to SD fishing on their "free" weekend last weekend. It was a little strange for me to be fishing without a license but the local bait shop guy insisted that we were perfectly legal.

We fished for most of the day catching several fish 15+" This lake has a "none under 16" and "one over 20" slot per person. We had 3 over 20, and 3 16-20 for 3 fisherman. With all the game warden talk on "the Chris Bahl" story, we were a little nervous when the CO's pulled up. He cordially asked us how our day went and I told him. I then asked if he would like to see the fish I caught and he said please. I handed him over the fish in a pail, they measured and recorded their results and then said, "Looks like a real nice catch, I now usually ask for your fishing license, but...........My heart started pumping........it is our "free" weekend so you don't need one!:). "You fellas have a great day" and off he went. Really nice guy.

[Last Boat Off]

This one happened last summer in Wisconsin. I was camping with my brother and our two families. I took my brother, his wife and and their son out to a spot near the campground where I had caught some nice panfish with my own kids in my boat. We were on a wind blown shore and I was using the trolling motor every few minutes to move the boat back out when it drifted too close to shore. As another boat approached my first thought was great here comes someone trying to come in on our spot. Just as we were getting too close to the shore and I needed to reposition again he shouted that he was a warden and he wanted to make a check. I shouted back that I needed to move a safe distance from shore since I was not anchored and had gotten dangerously close and proceeded to move out with the electric trolling motor, not very fast since I was fighting the wind. Well he reacted like I was trying to make a get away or something even though I only needed to move 25 yards and was in real plain view the whole time within 10 yards of him. As I dropped my anchor and told him what I was doing, he just approached fast and slammed the side of his boat hard into the side of my Lund. Well I am meticulous about my boat and I knew he probably just put the first nice scratches in my boat. Just as I was about to check and complain about how hard he hit me, my brother and his wife chime in that their licenses are both back in the tent. I thought geez, now we are in trouble. Well he was a real nice guy and followed us back to camp so they could get their licenses. Meanwhile while they went to get their licenses I leaned over to look at the side of my boat and the paint and decals were scratched real deep. It really hurt and boiled my blood but I just bit my tongue because he was so nice to give my brother a chance to retrieve his licence. There were no citations but no apology for hitting us so hard. I was too flustered by my brother's mistake to complain. It can be real hard for any boat to pull up along side another in the wind without bumping. The wardens do that all day and they should have the courtesy to have bumpers out if they plan to approach our nice boats like that.

[Bart]

I've been stopped three times this spring in SD (can you say heavily patrolled?)Always very friendly though and a good source of fishing info. I guess I never met the big bad bully game warden they say roams SD terrorizing out of staters. And my stick-on ruler matches the official state one perfectly!

[SUPERTROLLER]

Don't ya just love these anonymous posters?

[Anon]

Almost as much as Anonymous boat rammers...

[JKJ]

Don't you love arrogant posters?

[jimbo2]

Lets simmer down boys.......
On opener we were fishing on a local area lake. drifting and jigging when along came 2 of the nicest G-wardens youd ever meet.
They checked my lic. and asked about life jackets and then I asked them "Can't you guys do anything about the fishing today? It hasn't been real good, and that license was not cheap!!" They had a good laugh and said they would see what they could do!
Later in the day we had a few walleyes in the box and guess who came along? They pulled up and asked if we had any fish yet, and I said yes, do want to see them? they said no, but just wanted to make sure that the fish they had sent to us actually got in the boat!! Talk about getting your monies worth!!
To bad that they all aren't as nice as these two!!

[exnj]

Fished for smallmouth bass on the May 1 opener at a local mountain lake here in CO. and the Rangers where in the truck by the only entrance into the park. Checked our licenses, and were as helpful as they could be regarding fishing conditions. At 6am we were the 25 and 26 people to show up for the day and they said 22 people went to the right side of the lake and only 2 went to the left (a 3 mile hike up and down canyons and hills, good reason not to go that way). We decided to go where the people didn't and it was worth the hike. Caught 9 smallies in total between 14-18 inches, lost just as many. All put back to spawn another day. If you have all the right fees and keep what is allowed, then I can't see how the rangers can be anything but pleasant. It's when YOU don't have everything in order, then things might get a little tricky.

[Box]

Got checked on West Rush Lake near Rush City MN on Sunday after opener.

Was a really nice guy, told us what most people were catching their walleyes on, took a look at our walleyes but didnt measure them saying they looked like the right size (they were easily over the 15" limit). We told him about the fish we got the day before. He was very good about not smashing our boat, and it was a great experience, like most of our visits from the COs or sheriffs.

-Box

[Hans]

I didn't get checked on opener, but did see both DNR and county conservation officers on the job.

In over 50 years of hunting and fishing I have seen a lot of game wardens, but I have *NEVER* seen one who was not polite, personable, and "a credit to his uniform" as they used to say in the Navy. Wish I could say the same about all the fishermen I have seen.

Hans

[walleyejig2000]

This past winter my wife and I were in a shanty(...fishing)about dusk and a WDNR dude came at us full throttle on a sled and before we could have escaped potential death and before his sled was at idle he had our shanty unzipped and was asking for "papers" and related items. I tore into him about that stunt and he offered that too many had tried to dump illegal walleyes into their iceholes and that this way he was more "efficient" at catching violators.I filed a complaint about the recless act of racing up fisherman but never got a response.

[Hans]

Dear anonymous,

Sinced you weren't hurt, and since I've never heard of anyone else hurt by collision from a DNR sled, it sounds like the practice is safe, and I fail to see the reason for your jeremiad.

Hans

[CJHughes]

I fished Lake Erie last weekend, we stayed on Kelly's Island . First time I have ever been checked on the water by a CO, he wanted to know if we had any smallmouth.We had caught some but we don't keep many ,too many walleye ,plus there is a new size limit on them.When we pulled our boat out at the state ramp a CO was writing a ticket to a guy in a bass boat for undersize fish.I was pretty much shocked that a bass fisherman would keep any size smallmouth . I bet he had $80,000 in his rig truck ,camper and boat. Go figure.

[Breakin' The Law!!]

Anyone ever hear of, or been stopped by a Minnesota officer named Denny Lang. He used to patrol the Aitkin county area, around McGregor. Now he lives on Big Pine lake in Ottertail county. I've never had any trouble with the Mn. Dnr before, but this guy is out for blood. We think maybe, he was beaten as a child? If so, I can see why! Look out for him guys and gals. He will find something to get you for, even if your perfectly legal! I heard the town of McGregor, through a party after he left. There was an article in the local newspaper stating; "He has given out more citations, than any other officer in history of Minnesota". Beware of Denny Lang!!

[THUMPER]

There were a group of guys in NW Ontario who were famous for poaching Walleye juring ice fishing season. Over limit, undersize, oversize too many lines ect ect. They had positioned their hut so that anything was visible for miles around and they got away with it for years. OMNR was always a odds and could never get charges even though there were numerous reports from informed anglers. Night fishing was very good on this lake and those guys were good at that as well.
OMNR COs walked in past midnight on snowshoes for over three miles one winter night. They left the sleds that far away so the lights could not be seen. Sat out in the cold and observed for a number of hours. Result was numerous charges, some major fines, loss of fishing rights.
Those boys earned the respect of every conservation minded fisherman on the lake.
Moral of the story.......Those boys do what they have to do.

[I-Man]

Send Denny Lang to Ohio's Inland Lakes .. We need him! We've got Bankers/Tightliners/Perch Jerkers all over the place with over limits of dink Eyes & no C O's ever around! To busy draggin' out of gas idiot Wet-Bikers back to shore!

Hope he dislikes Wet-Bikers!
Ray

[RANGER]

Hans,

Man, you got me on that one, "jeremiad"! Had to look it up! ;-) I still learn something from this forum everyday and plan to continue to do so.


RANGER,


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!

[OrangeBarrel]

OK, here's one. I am no angel and about 12 years ago it was a beautiful spring day in May after alot of rainy ones. I did not have my new fishing license yet, but man what a beautiful day. I grabbed my tackle box and pole & went down to the river to get my "fix". Well, I got set up and was casting for about 15-20 min. when I looked downstream to find a warden checking people. UH OH, I thought. Well, to be clever(or stupid)I quick cut my line(with the lure in the water)and laid my rod down. The Warden came up to me and asked to see my license. I said I did not have one because I wasn't fishing(no line in the water, right?). I was meeting a friend who wanted to borrow my tackle(quick thinking, right?). He says technically, I shouldn't be down here with my equipment. I said, OK, I'll leave and I did.
As I was about a mile down the road, I am being pulled over by the DNR truck. A different warden gets out and asks to see my fishing license. I told him that I just got finished explaining to the other warden that I was merely waiting for a friend to borrow my equipment and that I was not fishing.
Well, this warden says to me: "THAT'S ODD, BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE VIDEO TAPE I WAS RECORDING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER IT SEEMED TO ME THAT YOU WERE FISHING"
Talk about being busted. I have never, ever fished without a license since. The guy was super nice, even after I lied to his face. Of course, I still paid a 73.00 fishing without a license fine, but it's the price you pay for stupidity.
Lance

[Hans]

"Uh, well actually nobody was driving, Officer. We were all in the back seat singing!"

[Hans]

Support the National Endowment for Creative Misology.

Hans

[Ernie]

I have been checked numerous times in MN over the past few years - both hard and soft water and at landings. I have had no problems with COs in boats taking enough care to throw out fenders and being thorough and professional. On the ice, they do rush in to ice houses, but they are law enforcement officers first.

I read a book a number of years ago about the first game warden in Tennessee. It gives you an appreciation for what these people face. Sometimes fisherman forget these same COs that are checking licenses and creels are the same ones that deal directly with citizens that overtly carry firearms - hunters. In fact, these are the only law enforcement officers that do this regularly. I am sure that there are some pretty hair-raising stories that COs could tell regarding their encounters with hunting camps where they are out-numbered and out-gunned.

I cut them slack when they are a bit edgy, especially in the fall during hunting season.

[RANGER]

LOL


RANGER,


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!

[Sunshine]

I'm sure that I'm no different than many of you regarding the fact that I have a "pet" Lake. It's not that large and I have spent thousands of hours on this lake and I know every rock, point, inside turn, and weedline personally. This lake is extremely clear and as a result it happens to be a great night bite lake.

I would fish this lake all night long and on most nights I would have it all to myself (that is until the "word" got out). Well, I got into the habit of not using my navigational lights while moving from spot to spot. Mind you, I never went very fast and only did this on clear nights when the moon and/or the stars allowed me to see with my night vision. I did this only because I hated turning on the lights and loosing my precious night vision.

I'm sure by now you know where this is heading. One night while fishing I had the local warden (who I had talked to numerous times before) pull up and ask how fishing was. As usual, I shared my experience and treated him with the respect that he deserved. At the end of the conversation he politely asked me if I had seen some maniac running the lake at night with no lights. I honestly told him that I never saw another boat performing such a dangerous act. The warden responded that he knew I fished the lake more than anyone else and If I happened to run into this person would I please inform him that this a dangerous act and please don't do it again. If he were to catch this person he would have to fine him and he preferred that he wouldn't have to do that. With that he winked at me, started his motor and drove off.

That gentleman made his point in a very friendly, courteous, and professional way. I never drove with my lights off again and always made a point of stopping to say hi to him whenever I saw him.

I learned more than one lesson that night.

[Skis]

I have been stopped at Waubay Lake several times while on the water. I also was checked in Chamberlain once while on shore before cleaning our fish. The officers have always been friendly and also gives any tips on where the fish were biting if we were having a slow time of it. No complaints here.

[EricCO]

It's not our DOW that I'm scared of, it is the Colorado State Park Rangers that carry handguns that scare the living $%&* out of me. Most of them are nice though.

I really don't want to say to much cuz they are watching us all right now. Shhhhhhh, I think I hear something.

[vetspet(ind)]

a client of mine drove his brand new truck to a local lake...while putting in his boat he hit a post and put a gash in his new truck....he proceeded to put the boat in the water... forgot the plug and the boat was submerged at the ramps...as he began to drain the boat which he had not been technically in yet the local warden comes by and as the boat is refloated notices that the boat license is expired...he gave the guy a ticket!!!!

[water_wolf]

ROFLMFAO Good one Hans :D
Rich Ferguson

[czy42strokes]

Up in Ontario I travel up the women river as far to the north as you can go in a boat, takes 2.5 hrs of solid running, Now you would think that there would be no way a Mountie or OPP would ever travel that far just to check your fish, well, they do and they have for the last 5 years I have been there. My group has always followed the rules closely, but the lodge back there had two guys with one fish each over, besides the fines the lodge owner packed their bags and hauled them back to the landing 4 days early...

[Scott Richardson]

My experience with the DNR police anywhere I have been is that they have been helpful and courteous. They are great sources of information on where fish are hitting.

I feel for them. They have a tough job, their pay isn't too great, there aren't enough of them to cover all the water and they often deal with people who care more about drinking that catching fish.

Wishing you all a safe and happy Memorial Day holiday.

[Last Boat Off]

Well I apologize if you guys dispute my story because I am not registered, but there was no need to attack me and call me arrogant. You don't know me, but if you did you would know that I'm just a regular guy who loves to fish and arrogant I am not. Sometimes a post can read different than intended compared to telling a story face to face. The above story did happen--If I was going to make it up why would I give the guy credit for being nice, I could make up a better story. His gunnel was lower than mine so he did not have to hit me too hard to do some nice cosmetic damage. Maybe a few guys with a new boat are arrogant and maybe a few who buy a new one every year are--not me. I have been in the boats of pros that are far more meticulous than I about the care of their rigs, and I do understand why. A boat is a big investment nowadays and a guy should not be criticized for wanting it to be in top shape. Heck, the board is full of good posts from guys who want to improve and take good care of their new rigs. My first boat was a Lund and it was 32 years old (12 years of my use and in the family before that) when I decided to finally treat myself to a new boat after all these years. My first new boat and I want to take care of it right so it lasts many good years itself. Then my first battle scar has to come from a warden who made a mistake. The occupants of my boat made a mistake too, but I was the one left with the damage. I buy good equipment and then try to make it last as long as I can. This boat was a bit of a reach for me but I worked hard for it. My last tow vehicle had 170,000 miles on it when it gave up the ghost and I bought used to replace it.

My handle is Last boat Off because my friends often tease me that the lot at the launch can be full but by the time I leave I have the last trailer in the lot sometimes. I catch and release so there is no limit to bring me in. I have to work for a living so when I do get to fish I make the most of it. I am not registered because I was told by my server that if I wanted to cut down on all the unwanted spam I should avoid registering when I don't have to. I have participated on this board for several months and would prefer to go by my handle. This is the best fishing page out there and I value the privilege of visiting here. I have learned an incredible amount from both registered and non-registered posters alike. I apologize if I offended someone with my story.

[Kevin/CO]

Was this Cheeseman or where? just curious since I don't remember any openeres besides Spinney (for all I know it is spinney).

[Marken]

I really don't see a reason YOU should apologize.

[Kevin/CO]

LOL I hear ya though Eric. Those guys with the guns, especially the ones with guns that look to be about 15 years old and never have the strap over the hammer. Course in my entire fishing carreer I have never once had a really bad encounter. Got "spot cheched" (consisted of getting pulled over and emptying EVERYTHING out of the car and an interogation) cause some people had been seriously over harvesting on a daily basis but the game officer was stern and very thurough but polite (meaning he let us un pack and re pack everything under watch and asked not ordered us). I don't know if you ever go to Aurora but they are all dilligent and watchful but always been friendly and polite. They even tore up a parking ticket since we lost our pass after having the windsheild replaced. Sometimes I wonder how they keep from freaking out and just letting some one have it.

[Tracy]

Hans,
Where is the love? A guy posts a story related to the original post, and all you offer is sarcasm and hatred. What is up with that? Was his story not good enough for you, or was his lamentation too long for your attention/taste?
Tracy

[SUPERTROLLER]

Last Boat Off, I hope you saw my apology on the Anonymous postings Post. I definitely was wrong to doubt your story. I assumed too many things and when I checked you out, I found you are fairly new to us and I didn't recognize your handle. I WAS TOTALLY AT FAULT. Hope you will forgive me for stirring up this hornets nest. By the way, I think they were calling me arrogant for my treatment of your post. I guess they were right. I was up on my high horse and found I was wrong after checking the archives for your other posts.

Again, I apologize for this whole mess and doubting your story in the first place.
SUPERTROLLER

[Last Boat Off]

Hey Supertroller, No hard feelings, I accept your apology and respect you for being able to respond like this. Thanks alot.

[Mr. Anonomous]

Hans, where do you get off on this attitude towards posters who don't register? You sound like you have to investigate everyones profile, and if you can't, then you you bash them regardless of their message. I sure as ##### would rather read a message with legitimate and sincere content from someone who doesn't register then to hear your sarcastic bashing on everything. Just because you register doesn't make you high and mighty Hans. People have there reasons for not registering. There is unregistered users here who have been posting for years, it doesn't make their posts any less credible. Please get off your high horse on this!

[JKJ]

Hey last boat off..... I was calling Supertroller Arrogant for his arrogant post to your story......

[Backwater Eddy]

Can anyone say sexual harasment?

URRRRRRP!

Gee your p-p-p-p-purdy Osifer.

:)

[Backwater Eddy]

LAST EDITED ON May-24-01 AT 07:07AM (CST)[p]Can anyone say sexual harasment?

URRRRRRP!

Gee your p-p-p-p-purdy Osifer.

:)

Ahh, Did I already say that?

:D

[Hans]

Seriously.....

..... I don't care if you're registered. Really!

..... I'd just like to know your name.

..... Even that's no big deal, until you start bad-mouthing somebody else.

..... Your mileage may vary.

Love always,

Hans

[Bart]

>It's not our DOW that I'm
>scared of, it is the
>Colorado State Park Rangers that
>carry handguns that scare the
>living $%&* out of me.
> Most of them are
>nice though.

The poor girl at Blue Mound could have used a handgun last sunday.

[EricCO]

What happened at Blue Mound?

[Dave in Mpls]

No Doubt....

That is one misserable story. For those who aren't familiar with what we are talking about, Blue Mound is a state park in SW Minnesota. A teenage female park employee was found murdered in the park office, and apparently two money bags were reported missing. I think the cost to enter the park is $4 or something like that, so how much $$ could there be....

Just tragic.....

[Hans]

Lady (employee) was beaten to death.

Hans

[Borch]

I've only had two bad experiences with Game Wardens. They both happened on Mille Lacs Lake. One fall night fishing on Mille Lacs we had the fish we needed and went to shore. As we pulled up to the dock in the harbor a man came running out of the dark and jumped into our boat before we even got to the dock. He didn't announce who he was until he was in our boat(although we figured it out shorty before by his uniform). The guys starts tearing the boat appart looking for all those illegal fish he knew we had. My friend said"You break it, you buy it." He said that since he was the warden he didn't have to pay for anything. We got his info and called it in but never heard back.

Second has ice fishing simuliar to the racing up which unnerved me a bit. But the guy hammered the door on my portable and the spring loaded door latch flipped so that the door wouldn't open. He yelled at me to open the door. I told him to check the latch(there was nothing inside to hold the door shut). He flipped the door latch and preceded to yell at me some more about locking him out. I explained to him that his pounding on the door flipped the latch from the outside and there was nothing inside to hold the door shut. I didn't have control over it. After that it was business as usually, no problem. Until he went to leave, again this lecture about locking him out and that he should write me a ticket for it. At this point I had serious concerns that this gentleman would be able to find his way off the lake by himself. They call them the COWBOYS on Mille Lacs and I guess it's a reputation well earned. Every other warden that I have every met has been very courtious, professional ans socialable. Other wardens I have met on Mille Lacs(usually the older olds)have been fine. But watch out for the young ones.

[walleyejig2000]

I've been checked many times and have never been so wound up as that time. All I could say to anyone is you had to be there. With my years of experience with snowmobiles some of which were too fast for anyones own good I'll say that no one can effectively slow or stop a fast moving machine. It was plain 'ole uncalled for! Steve

[walleyejig2000]

I should have added that I don't have anything whatsoever against the DNR or related agencies. I know how important they are to sport fishing and hunting and such. Steve