Busted...

[Joe Archer]

Last weekend I earned the moron of the week award. We had some friends over to the house and my girl friend and I asked them if they wanted to go fishing. The woman didn't have her license, so she said she would just go to watch. We had four legal (licensed) fisherman (my friend, my girlfriend, her daughter, and myself) in the boat and FOUR fishing reels.
We left at like 3:00 in the afternoon and by 3:10 were on a school of bass. My girlfriend asked the unlicensed friend if she wanted to learn how to fish a Senko. She accepted, casted a few times and caught a bass. This was like the first time she had fished or caught a fish in ten years!
Guess who shows up....
Yep- DNR. I couldn't believe it, but I really thought they would understand the situation. Nope! They checked our licenses, life jackets, live well, and event hinted at body cavity searches. :rolleyes:
They wrote my friend's wife up a ticket for no license, and gave me a warning for not having a "throwable". I guess you learn something new every day. All these years, I didn't know that it was mandatory to have a throwable life saving device in the boat. I will have one next time out.
In any case, have you ever been in a situation like described and let someone take a cast or two who didn't have a license?
Do you think the ticket was deserved, or do you think the DNR should have been more understanding? Yeah, I realize that they could have impounded my boat, taken my fishing gear, and written me a ticket as well....
<----<<<

[icefishermanmark]

They can do whatever they want. Were you courteous to the officers? Alot of how they treat you depends on how you treat them. You should consider yourself lucky for getting a warning for your throwable. Boats over 16ft. need one. How much is the ticket for fishing without a liscense?

[Mark-n-Fish]

It's poachers like you that make us all look bad.:lol: In all seriousness that is a real bummer. I think that it was a gamble I would have taken too but I guess the call is up to the CO. Who knows, he may have had a troublesome person just before you or his wife may have had a headache the night before. To tell you the truth, I have never gotten a break from the DNR. I have from the MNR though. It's kind of a b---- too because that may have turned off that person from ever wanting to fish again.
Mark

[Fly Fishing Bob]

I guess they'd have to give the ticket, otherwise everyone would say they just threw a line a couple times. It sucks though. I went out with my brother a week ago only to realize that he left his license in his car at my house. We made a 50 minute round trip again so that we wouldn't have any trouble.

[RSGS]

Many years ago my Aunt stopped by to visit us at the cabin on Houghton Lake. My mother thought it would be fun for just her and my Aunt to go out and do a little fishing. Sure enough, they weren’t out there 15 minutes and the DNR stops them for a license check. He asks my Aunt for a fishing license and she say’s (no kidding) “We aren’t fishing, we’re trolling”. She was dead serious ( I think it was like her third time fishing ever). The CO laughed so hard that he just gave them a warning and sent them on their way.

I know that in many cases, if you have only one violation, you will probably get a warning. If you have two or more, you may end up with one or more tickets. It also depends on the offense. The state has downgraded many of the boating violations in terms of fines and severity. He probably wrote her for the most expensive one of the two tickets.

[augustus0603]

Buying a license isn't that expensive.

[det07]

In this case I would be pretty irritated about the ticket, but I think if I was the officer I would have wrote it also. Why?? Because they make it so easy anymore to get a license online and print it out at home. And for a resident 24hr license it is only like 7$.

I am not preaching!! I got a 100$ ticket in Indiana a few years back for not having a license. I was out spear fishing with a buddy. He had the spear and I had the light. I got the ticket he got a warning.:dizzy: what can u do.

[buster5199]

If you have no license, unfortunately you are breaking the law and I really expect the dnr to enforce even the most basic of laws. I have been in similar situations just prior to heading out to fish and realized I didn't purchase my license yet, jumped on line and within 5 minutes I was legal and ready to go with a printed license. Incidentally, I have never fished without a license, but I have never had my license checked by DNR either. Fish mostly small inland lakes though.

[ted stehney]

That's a bummer Joe. I have done it in the past. During summer vacation I would take 3 or four guys out fishing a day here and there to fill the boat. They didn't want to buy a license "for just one day" I didn't think much of it, and never kept over the limit for license on the boat. About 5 or 6 years ago I told the guys they would have to get a license to go. Heck they were getting a free ride on a pretty nice boat with a guy that catches fish. They never offered gas money or beverage for the day, so I figured the least they could do is purchase a daily license. Two of the three guys were upset and didn't go fishing. The third just said he would save his money and go golf instead. So be it. I took the chance long enough. If ticketed I would have been responsible for my actions (Like you are being.) but today it just is not worth it to me. Possibly lose my gear and have the boat impounded for a few hours of their fun just is not worth it to me anymore.

[RichP]

Personally, I don't expect the DNR to concern themselves with the underlying drama in these types of situations. People might view this situation differently if the thread started out as "she didn't have a tag, but my friend wanted to learn how to shoot a deer.....In any case, have you ever been in a situation like described and let someone take a shot or two who didn't have a tag? " ...Fishing w/o license is the most basic offense there is.

[KI Jim]

Ted, those guys sound like a bunch of cheapskates to me. I guess i'd be pretty glad they don't go any more. I hate cheapskates when it comes to fishin because it seems like not only do they not pay for fuel, launch, bait stc., they also don't have a license, usually, they don't help launch the boat or clean up, they don't know how to clean fish, they don't know how to fish, but they want half the catch (BTW this describes my brother in law). It is kinda like takin a 8 year old-but a lot less fun. I'd rather go alone.

As far as the ticket, I have a feeling that the reason the DNR guy wrote the ticket was because of the multiple violations. If it was only the no license and if you explained it with some remorse, he mighta let it go. Then again, what do I know-I have not been checked by the DNR in 32 years (since I was 16) knock on wood.

Jim

[Mr Jinx]

It might be a bummer but I believe that the rules should be enforced objectively and not subject to exceptions.

On a side note I've only been checked once by the DNR which was last year at Flecther's pond. The CO was nice and checked my license, registration and life jackets. He didn't ask but I offered to open the live well and show just how empty it was. He wished us good luck and tried to start his boat. Battery dead as a doornail so we towed him in to the public launch. CO said his boss won't spring for a new battery because of budget issues and the like. I figured it was building so good karama towing the poor guy in.

[Mark-n-Fish]

Personally, I don't expect the DNR to concern themselves with the underlying drama in these types of situations. People might view this situation differently if the thread started out as "she didn't have a tag, but my friend wanted to learn how to shoot a deer.....In any case, have you ever been in a situation like described and let someone take a shot or two who didn't have a tag? " ...Fishing w/o license is the most basic offense there is.

True, but you can throw the fish back.

[ted stehney]

You pretty much nailed it Jim. They are neighbor hood friends of my parents that vacation together with a bunch of families. We all grew up together. You find their true colors over a $7 dollar license. And like Joe, I understood that although unlikley I would be responsible for any issues that may arise by letting an unlicensed person hold a fishing rod on my boat. I just was a little luckier than Joe.

[Joe Archer]

They can do whatever they want. Were you courteous to the officers? Alot of how they treat you depends on how you treat them. You should consider yourself lucky for getting a warning for your throwable. Boats over 16ft. need one. How much is the ticket for fishing without a liscense?

We were very courteous to the officers. To be honest we spent half of the time talking, joking and laughing. Other than the ticket, they were really nice guys. They asked what we were using for bait and said that "we must know what we are doing because they rarely see bass boats come in with fish the size that we had". I am not sure how much the ticket is.
We really did have four legal fisherman and only FOUR poles in the boat. The woman who was ticketed had only intended to come along to get some sun and enjoy the lake.
<----<<<

[Final Cast]

I was checked twice last year. Once at Fletchers and once at a metro park. I got a warning for not having enough throwables at Fletchers. 3 people and 2 throwables. The DNR new we rented the boat from Jacks so he let it go. It does suck that you got ticketed but I think the DNR did right in writing her a ticket. I mean why couldn't she have just purchased a day license? It was pretty harmless what you guys did and I agree that maybe if it was only one offence you may have gotten off.

[ggoblue]

I guess they'd have to give the ticket, otherwise everyone would say they just threw a line a couple times. It sucks though. I went out with my brother a week ago only to realize that he left his license in his car at my house. We made a 50 minute round trip again so that we wouldn't have any trouble.

modern technology might have saved you the trip...i got out there with the wife last yr...we got checked by the dnr...i had left my license in my car...i had a couple of previous lic's. on the boat...the dnr guy scanned the old license with his hand held and said "yup you bought one in april at walmart"...i assume he could have scanned my drivers license and seen the same thing...in the old days i would have gotten the ticket.

[ggoblue]

"The third just said he would save his money and go golf instead."

and where does this aho golf for under 7 bucks????? now thats some serious bs right there. he probably jumps the fence at night.

[TimEye]

We really did have four legal fisherman and only FOUR poles in the boat. The woman who was ticketed had only intended to come along to get some sun and enjoy the lake.
<----<<<

trying to convert a suntanner to a fisherman, always trying to get my wife to try, and i never get her a license because she never does. my luck the one time she trys i would get a visit from the DNR. i know your suppose to do it on the free fishing weekends but there should be one in august so people can try bass when they hit anything. than the DNR would get more license fee cause they hook more people when they see they can catch and like catching fish.

[Greenbush future]

I bet it's a $100.00 for the ticket, rarley is anything a cop or DNR write thta is under that amount, please post when she pays and tells you.
I would have to side with the ticket was deserved. If you knowingly let someone fish on your boat w/o a lic. then it's really an easy decision. BTW I always ask anyone new on my boat if they have one before we go, I dont want the hassle of DNR or anyone else inspecting my boat. I also get it inspected every year, I get the sticker and proudly display it on the side window. I bet when they see it from afar they say well he has already been checked so let's go find someone else to check.

I received a ticket for one too many lines out on the ice several years back and was very embarrased. DNR wrote both of us (2 guys, 5 lines) up. My bud went and took care of his with a $25 fine, when I went in 3 days later they want to charge me like 50-60. I did raise a concern, she checked what she charged my buddy and reduced mine to the same.
I felt like I got off real easy.
Just keep it leagal and you will always be fine.

BTW you are now on the watch list !!!!

[huntingfool43]

Where do you draw the line? Needing a licence is common knowledge, not like some obscure law that isn't very well known. IMO the officer did the right thing. I know a girl that was busted last year or year before, she paid 97 bucks and her reasoning was that she was just helping the kids so she didn't need it. If you are going to take the chance, you better be ready to pay if you get busted.

[Lund Lubber]

That does suck, but you can't really expect many breaks form the DNR these days... there budget has been slashed like many other offices!

[huntingmaniac45]

I think a warning would have sufficed.

[RichP]

True, but you can throw the fish back.

yes, and if a fish swallows a treble it might die, and if you miss the deer it will live. That wasn't really the point I was trying to get it...just that some people *seem* to take hunting regulations more seriously than fishing, and I've never understood that.

[Joe Archer]

... I would have to side with the ticket was deserved. If you knowingly let someone fish on your boat w/o a lic. then it's really an easy decision. ....Just keep it leagal and you will always be fine.


I know the ticket was deserved and I can't dispute that. I really am as conscientious of a sportsman as you will ever see.
Here is the scenerio; My friend and his wife bring their boat over for skiing and tubing. After enjoying the water through early afternoon we are lounging on the dock in our bathing suits deciding what we are going to do for dinner. My girl friensd says, "Joe - why don't we take your boat out and catch dinner". My friend's wife says "I don't have a license - so I will just go along for the ride".
I say "it will most likely just be a ride for all of us". I mean the sun is out, and it is almost 2:30 pm. and not the easiest time of day to catch fish. In any case, this was not a planned fishing trip. It was more like a joy ride with fishing poles. Again, I ran in the house only and grabbed enough poles for the four legal fisherman.
So the question - why was i so stupid? What could have possibly gone through my mind when my girlfriend wanted to teach the other woman how to fish? Why didn't I see the harm that I was allowing by letting an unexperiened person learn to cast, and ultimately learning to jig. Surely, I could very well be jeopardizing the future of the bass population in Anchor Bay! I can't come up with a good answer for this momentary lapse of reason. All I can say is that I must have been influenced by the fact that kids are allowed to fish without a license. They can catch their own limit. In my younger days, my (ex) wife could fish on my license and didnt need one of her own. I can see the point that the law is the law. I can't say the DNR officer was wrong in writing the ticket. I just think he would have been more correct to say "get a license next time".
The sad thing is there probably will not be a next time. The events of the day most likely made this her "last time".
<----<<<

[Mark-n-Fish]

yes, and if a fish swallows a treble it might die, and if you miss the deer it will live. That wasn't really the point I was trying to get it...just that some people *seem* to take hunting regulations more seriously than fishing, and I've never understood that.

I see your point and I agree the law is the law. But to help you understand my point. When you are hunting with a bow or gun the intent is not to wound, scare, or miss the animal. The pupose is to outwit the animal to make a quick humane kill. Sometimes it does not work that way. When fishing it is very possible to hook the fish and release it without mortally wounding it. In my opinion the permanance of the KILL and the added responsability of using a weapon to KILL might be why people are more serious about having a hunting license than a fishing license. Driving 71 in a 70 mph zone is against the law but does it always deserve a ticket? Again that is up to the officer.
Mark

[Due51]

What a bummer Joe. In the past, I probably would have allowed someone to hold a rod even if they didn't have a license. But not anymore. Not on my boat. I feel like they should shell out the money for the privledge of enjoying our resources.

Sorry to hear about the damper on a good day of fishing.

[shametamer]

c'mon JOE...u know better.....shoot my wife and i have been stopped checked and bout had our boat torn apart and we have always been legal..a quick stop for even a temp license or getting her an annual would have prevented the problem and maybe spurred her to become a lifetime fisherwoman..now..saving a few bucks has cost many times more and possibly ruined a potential fisherperson...ya gotta figure Dnr officers are giving 'no one' breaks these days( nor should they) and tempered judgement is pretty much a bygone idea in todays world!

[RichP]

I see your point and I agree the law is the law. But to help you understand my point. When you are hunting with a bow or gun the intent is not to wound, scare, or miss the animal. The pupose is to outwit the animal to make a quick humane kill. Sometimes it does not work that way. When fishing it is very possible to hook the fish and release it without mortally wounding it. In my opinion the permanance of the KILL and the added responsability of using a weapon to KILL might be why people are more serious about having a hunting license than a fishing license. Driving 71 in a 70 mph zone is against the law but does it always deserve a ticket? Again that is up to the officer.
Mark

I understand where you're coming from.

On another note, to me, the fine is not very important. What some people don't realize is that these are misdemeanor offenses. More and more on job applications employers are not only asking if you've ever been convicted of a felony, but also misdemeanors. Just goes to show that paying $7 for a daily license can save a lot of grief...

[salmonslammer]

The ticket is going to run her $105. . at least that is what it was last year. . FYI the DNR can run your DL to find out if you bought a license this year.

[1wildchild]

Joe. you rogue outlaw, you! ;):lol:

[Ralph Smith]

Don't take this the wrong way, but if someone takes people out on his boat and knowingly allows them to do something they could get a ticket doing, even if not much harm, then I think the Capt. of the boat should atleast pay the fine, especially if the person is newbie to fishing. Just my opinion as the right thing to do. :hide:

[Joe Archer]

Joe. you rogue outlaw, you! ;):lol:

:D I am shocked that they didn't draw and quarter me.

The truth of the matter is that this is the 3rd time I have been checked this year! EVERY TIME that I have been checked there has been a 14 year old in a bikini. Dam preverts!
Don't take this the wrong way, but if someone takes people out on his boat and knowingly allows them to do something they could get a ticket doing, even if not much harm, then I think the Capt. of the boat should atleast pay the fine, especially if the person is newbie to fishing. Just my opinion as the right thing to do. :hide:
Hey! I didn't take her out fishing! I took her out sun bathing!
We'll prolly spilt the fine. ;)
<----<<<

[Impray]

A buddy of mine got a ticket for no license up on Traverse Bay and it was $130. I was not with him. He was on another buddies dock waiting for him to come down with the key to the pontoon so they could go out for a ride, they were not going out fishing. He pick up a pole from the pontoon and casted it a couple of times and put it back. DNR showed up before they had the pontoon out and gave him the ticket. He said he was not fishing and the DNR officer said she saw him cast a couple of times.

[troller11]

i agree with the co, i never allow anyone to fish off my boat less properly licensed for the water were in. i bought my girlfriend her license even if shes along for the ride shes good for the rod limit but i mainly troll so more rods the merrier. sportsmans license fees pay for alot of the conservation efforts made by the dnr. the state allready allows you to fish your first 16 years free. and even at a 4-1 ratio thats a 20% revenue loss and at the costs of taking a boat out nowadays the fishing license cost is a very low % of that cost and for what the costs of that 1 cast is just not worth the risk for what ive got into my boat and equiptment

[Topshelf]

She should have got off with just a warning. All these guys saying she deserved it is dung IMO. Heres why I dont think that it was legit to write a first timer a ticky.

#1 She didnt even want to fish in the first place and was just along for the ride.
#2 She was talked into fishing while on the boat.
#3 I have been checked once by the DNR in 28 years of fishing and hunting and even longer if you count the years I didnt need a license. Yes, I had my license, but no they never even asked for it. So why make an example out her???
#4 The worst part of the whole thing is she will probably never fish again because of this, so now they have lost a potential license fee from her for the rest of life. I think that would would more than make up for the 100 dollar ticket they wrote.
#5 If they wanted to make a point they could have just gave her the "Dont ever do it again or else" speech and moved on.

[ICEGUY]

they can't give everyone a warning. seeya

[RichP]

#4 The worst part of the whole thing is she will probably never fish again because of this, so now they have lost a potential license fee from her for the rest of life. I think that would would more than make up for the 100 dollar ticket they wrote.

It seems like every time someone starts a thread about a friend that got caught poaching someone brings up this point. I have a hard time believing that most people that didn't respect fish/game laws to begin with are going to magically start respecting them just because someone gave them a warning, but that's just my opinion...

[William H Bonney]

It seems like every time someone starts a thread about a friend that got caught poaching someone brings up this point. I have a hard time believing that most people that didn't respect fish/game laws to begin with are going to magically start respecting them just because someone gave them a warning, but that's just my opinion...

A friend of mine got a ticket for fishing without a license on Belleville lake,, of course he never paid it. Three months later,, he gets pulled over, they run his license and find out the DNR put a warrant out for his arrest:lol:. He gets to jail and asks how much bail is,,,,,,,,, $3000 bucks:SHOCKED:,,,,,, of course he only had to pay $300(10%),, but still.:lol: So in this case,,, my buddy is one of these people that will "magically start respecting" the laws.:lol:

[ted stehney]

Falls into the "stuff happens" catagory. I can see this happening to almost every boater/fisherman at some time or another. The DNR officer must make a decision. I would think this would go 50/50 for the officer. Unfortunitaly it was not Joe's friends day. Next time I have bikini clad babes on the boat I will be sure they are licensed!

[Big Daddy Benelli]

What are they going to do carry around a warning log of peoples names!! If they let her go everyone would use the same excuse all the time, unfortunately we have scammers in the population that give them no choice because they don't know if she's even telling the truth. Her boyfriend could have been using her to help him get a limit, etc.. It is unfortunate if it really happen like we were told, but you never know?:confused:

I got caught with to many shells @ Harsen because the day before my buddy put his left over shells in my bag and I didn't know about this, so should the CO believe my excuse or was it only my excuse because I got caught? Bottom line is it was my bag and I should have checked everything out, I feel the rules have to be followed like a black and white mind set. No license therefore you get a ticket. The good people sometime get screwed by a technicality..


She should have got off with just a warning. All these guys saying she deserved it is dung IMO. Heres why I dont think that it was legit to write a first timer a ticky.

#1 She didnt even want to fish in the first place and was just along for the ride.
#2 She was talked into fishing while on the boat.
#3 I have been checked once by the DNR in 28 years of fishing and hunting and even longer if you count the years I didnt need a license. Yes, I had my license, but no they never even asked for it. So why make an example out her???
#4 The worst part of the whole thing is she will probably never fish again because of this, so now they have lost a potential license fee from her for the rest of life. I think that would would more than make up for the 100 dollar ticket they wrote.
#5 If they wanted to make a point they could have just gave her the "Dont ever do it again or else" speech and moved on.

[andy capp]

I was checked twice last year. Once at Fletchers and once at a metro park. I got a warning for not having enough throwables at Fletchers. 3 people and 2 throwables. The DNR new we rented the boat from Jacks so he let it go. It does suck that you got ticketed but I think the DNR did right in writing her a ticket. I mean why couldn't she have just purchased a day license? It was pretty harmless what you guys did and I agree that maybe if it was only one offence you may have gotten off.

You have to have a throwable for each person? Never heard that before.

[Dedge]

She should have got off with just a warning. All these guys saying she deserved it is dung IMO. Heres why I dont think that it was legit to write a first timer a ticky.

#1 She didnt even want to fish in the first place and was just along for the ride.
#2 She was talked into fishing while on the boat.




Why should the DNR officer have to worry about whether she wanted to fish, or if she was talked into it? Seriously? She knew enough to offer up that she didn't have a license before they left. She broke the law, she got caught, she got a ticket. How could you possibly argue that? I'm gonna have to side with the fact that she should have gotten a ticket as well.

No offense Joe, I've been reading your posts for a long time and I know that you are a level-headed guy. But you asked.:lol:


And seriously, is the owner of the boat liable for her not having a license. I'm not talking about morally here, just legally. I have to admit that I have never inspected any riders on my boat.:lol:


Just my coupla pennies,
Dan

[Joe Archer]

It seems like every time someone starts a thread about a friend that got caught poaching someone brings up this point. I have a hard time believing that most people that didn't respect fish/game laws to begin with are going to magically start respecting them just because someone gave them a warning, but that's just my opinion...
I think it is a bit of a reach to label this "poaching". One could conclude that it was my fault. I knew the rules. I knew she didn't have a license. I could have easily said "No! You can't learn how to cast or jig while ON MY BOAT without a license!" I could have told my girl friend "Sorry Honey, those are the rules and we would be breaking the law". Hind site being 20:20, I probably should have said this. Honestly looking back, to me it seems rather trivial to let someone who NEVER fishes take a couple casts just for fun. To counter this; any time I have ever invited another couple over to go fishing I always tell them to make sure they have a license.
As far people respecting fish and game laws.... I would bet that in the past 30 some years I have been as conscientious about fish and game laws as anyone on this site without any magic whatsoever.
<----<<<

[TimEye]

You have to have a throwable for each person? Never heard that before.

you need a life jacket for each person and one throwable. smaller boats i think can get away with trowables in stead of lifejackets unless someone is under 18

[Topshelf]

I see both sides to this arguement.

On one hand, yeah she's a big girl, yeah she knows the stakes and the DNR can't be expected to keep a log of warnings etc etc.

On the other hand this isnt some 40 year old guy/girl who is out with his or her buddy in his boat, has 6 rods in the rack and three tackle boxes in the boat and obviously knows the rules but just decided to NOT buy a license to stick it to the man.

I think most would agree about the 40 year old, yeah write them up all day long.

An obviouse newbee who takes a couple of casts while out with a group that all have licenses...... not today.

In the long run it doesnt really matter because its a done deal now. Also everyone is entitled to their opinions thats what makes this forum great.

:fish::fish::fish::fish::fish:

[Final Cast]

you need a life jacket for each person and one throwable. smaller boats i think can get away with trowables in stead of lifejackets unless someone is under 18

We only had 2 throwables and no life jackets. They were the sqare floaters you get when you rent a 14' aluminum. We needed one more of either to be legal.

[Fish Eye]

$105 ticket! With this money she could have purchased an all species license for 3 years or a restricted license for 7 years! LMAO. Or you could have logged on and bought her a 24 hour license for $7. Gee, I guess that $7 she saved was a net -$98. A license is the least expensive part of fishing and anyone caught fishing without a license deserves the ticket. I wonder if she'll be the type to "fight it"-She'll request a hearing and hope the CO doesn't show up and get the ticket dismissed. Time to take your lumps sister.

[Joe Archer]

.... Or you could have logged on and bought her a 24 hour license for $7.
....fight it...request a hearing and hope the CO doesn't show up and get the ticket dismissed. .
I do not have Internet access at my house, and no one had a lap top with access on the boat. The money was not the issue at all. If we had planend on going fishing, I am sure she would have purchased a license.
It might be a good idea to ask the judge his opinion of the case. 4 legal fisherman, 4 poles, 5th person (who hasn't been fishing since her youth) goes out for a ride, and for fun tries a couple casts and learns to jig. No fish were under size limit in the boat.... and there was no where near a limt for the 4 legal fisherman.
Good point.... I wonder what the judge might say. She wouldn't plead innocent, but guilty with an explanation....;)
<----<<<

[Fish Eye]

Fishing License Requirements:
You must purchase a license if you are 17 years of age or older. If you are under 17, you may
fish without a license, but you are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations.
You must have the license in your possession when fishing and the identification used to purchase
that license.
Your fishing license is valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=1728113

[Frogman]

Almost 20 years ago, my girlfriend then, wife now, was reading in the car while I was shorefishing at Kensington Metropark. I was catching several small panfish and after about 30 minutes and a few dozen fish, I asked her if she wanted to try. On her first, fishless cast, the DNR came out of the woods with binoculars and tagged her for fishing w/o a licence. It was only $35.00 back then and I paid it. It would have been cheaper to buy the $7.00 permit, but this was really the one and only time that she ever taken a cast, up to that day. I realize that the law is the law, but that was downright dirty pool!
Ever since that day, I buy her a licence every year.
Frogman

[troller11]

to me this post seems pointless this forum is called the michigan sportsman theres nothing sporting about poaching or condoning it. you can sugar coat the scenario however you want too. but i have to believe its general knowledge you need a fishing license especially when everyone else there was liscensed. she got caught pay the ticket

[Kevin]

She wouldn't plead innocent, but guilty with an explanation....
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I think that is fair enough. It seemed no deviousness or malice was intended. She broke the law and should face consequences but I would hope a judge (or really the co involved) would take a look at the context and be reasonable.

[alex-v]

sportsmans license fees pay for alot of the conservation efforts made by the dnr. the state allready allows you to fish your first 16 years free. and even at a 4-1 ratio thats a 20% revenue loss and at the costs of taking a boat out nowadays the fishing license cost is a very low % of that cost .....

On a very much related note is this thread started by Ted Stehney about a month ago. It explains a bit more the importance of buying a license:

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193601

[troller11]

I think that is fair enough. It seemed no deviousness or malice was intended. She broke the law and should face consequences but I would hope a judge (or really the co involved) would take a look at the context and be reasonable.
seems the CO was more then fair he could of confiscated the fish in the livewell and fined him by the pound. i just hope the CO doesnt read this thread and take it out on the next guy. rather then being happy about getting off easy and learning an expensive lesson instead he wants to go to court and waste more of their resources? i still stand by anyperson who condones poaching is not a sportperson, im kinda of surprised they didnt delete the thread being a forum for sportsman there nothing sporting in the illegal harvesting or attempted harvesting of wildlife

[huntingmaniac45]

Troller...............this site doesnt work like that. We help each other out, share experiences, and use this as a sounding board. This was a person that never fished in her life, and decided to take a few casts, and got caught, by a CO that may have been having a rough day. You have never been stopped by the police for going a few MPH over the speed limit and given a warning? If you have, you broke the law, and were given a break, so what. Everyone gets a break sometime in there life, for doing something wrong. Was what she did wrong........yes, but I believe in this instance, anyway, she could have been given a warning. I certainly wouldnt classify her as a poacher. JMO

[Wingmaster22]

I do not have Internet access at my house, and no one had a lap top with access on the boat. The money was not the issue at all. If we had planend on going fishing, I am sure she would have purchased a license.
It might be a good idea to ask the judge his opinion of the case. 4 legal fisherman, 4 poles, 5th person (who hasn't been fishing since her youth) goes out for a ride, and for fun tries a couple casts and learns to jig. No fish were under size limit in the boat.... and there was no where near a limt for the 4 legal fisherman.
Good point.... I wonder what the judge might say. She wouldn't plead innocent, but guilty with an explanation....;)
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she fished, you said it yourself. i can't get it thru my head why you think she didn't deserve a ticket?

[TimEye]

seems the CO was more then fair he could of confiscated the fish in the livewell and fined him by the pound. i just hope the CO doesnt read this thread and take it out on the next guy. rather then being happy about getting off easy and learning an expensive lesson instead he wants to go to court and waste more of their resources? i still stand by anyperson who condones poaching is not a sportperson, im kinda of surprised they didnt delete the thread being a forum for sportsman there nothing sporting in the illegal harvesting or attempted harvesting of wildlife

have to agree, if they were praticing C&R, and handed a pole to her for a cast, the CO may of gave them a warning, but they had fish in the live well and planning on keeping them and eating them, and a unlicensed person had a pole in their hand, ticket, no way around it, pay it, do not waste time in court.

[fishinggirl]

if i were the officer i would have given her a warning after listening to the explanation that you have given. :hide:

[Jimbos]

We were very courteous to the officers. To be honest we spent half of the time talking, joking and laughing. Other than the ticket, they were really nice guys. They asked what we were using for bait and said that "we must know what we are doing because they rarely see bass boats come in with fish the size that we had". I am not sure how much the ticket is.
We really did have four legal fisherman and only FOUR poles in the boat. The woman who was ticketed had only intended to come along to get some sun and enjoy the lake.
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Toooooo bad so sad. I would of written you a ticket for no throw ring also.:dizzy: