Fishing Ethics

[Bruce Carp]

Practice backing your boat and trailer at home not on the ramp while others are waiting.

[Wiskers]

No 2 - If you catch your limit and then catch and release you will get a ticket if caught by game warden. Once you get your limit you are done fishing and can't even have a pole in your hands or you will get a ticket. You would have to be 1 fish short of your limit to keep fishing. Just wanted to clearify that point.

Not in Kentucky. I am allowed to cull. As long as that "over the limit fish" doesn't go in the live well or on the stringer before you throw one back you're safe, according to my buddy the game warden (just got off the phone with him). :D Plus, like he said, how does he know you're not fish'n for Bluegill or something else. If it's like that where you live I think that's messed up!

[DKR]

LMB, couldnt agree with u more about #2 on your list.

[ShilohRed]

Shoot the fool that dumps the scraps from cleaning his fish in the trash can at the ramp or bathroom.
Then Shoot the Fool that sits on the ramp changing line out on his reels. then throws in on the ramp.
Don't ask me, but he did not like it when I backed around him. then stopped when walking back down and tossed the old line in his New Ranger bass boat. And he did not say a work. I just gave him one of those looks.
Pete

[shipahoy41]

Shoot the fool that dumps the scraps from cleaning his fish in the trash can at the ramp or bathroom.
Then Shoot the Fool that sits on the ramp changing line out on his reels. then throws in on the ramp.
Don't ask me, but he did not like it when I backed around him. then stopped when walking back down and tossed the old line in his New Ranger bass boat. And he did not say a work. I just gave him one of those looks.
Pete

Good for you. Individuals need to be held accountable for their irresponsible actions!

[bobberwatcher]

I had a game warden tell me that if they wanted to, they could write you a ticket for some of the most nit-picking stuff imaginable. He wanted to give me at ticket because me and my fishing buddy didn't seperate our fish in different containers. I was allowed 30 and my friend was allowed 30. Would have been an interesting day in court when I pulled out the fishing guide and asked him to point that rule out to me....cuz it aint there! It does say that the limit is 30, but nowhere does it say the fish must be seperated.

[Ronnie]

I once towed a game warden back to the ramp cause his motor konked out. Once I got him there he asked to chech my fishing licenses and boat registration.
I also know that they carry a GPS and mark spots where people catch a lot of fish.

[GRIZZ]

I don't think ethics and law enforcement are bedfellows anymore for the most part. I'm sure there must be a few officers out there with some clue to what integrity, ethics and compassion are, but I don't know any. Personally, I feel its one of this nations great downfalls of this era that the credo of law enforcement has stopped being to serve and protect and its now to harass and collect. Don't get me wrong. When the chips are down they more times than not do their job, but that is a very small part of what they do. I would say under 5%. The other 95% they have totally lost track of. Its turned into a us against them mentality, even with law abiding citizens. I've heard more than one officer say "Everyone is guilty of something. We just need to figure out what it is." Game wardens are no different and in many cases are some of the worst offenders. Frankly, they just don't care unless it benefits or harms them or theirs. I think all police officers should be required to spend one year in firefighting training. Those people still have their heads screwed on straight.

[Deral]

Great set of rules and an excellent bunch of suggested additions!
HOWEVER - - -
I did see one that really grabbed by attention!
Number 7; "Do not release baitfish or aquatic plants into public waters."
I don't use live bait very often. When I do, it's usually just for a change of pace! Or maybe when I'm not getting even a nibble on my jigs!
It isn't at all uncommon to have a few minnows left over when I'm finished. If I can find another fisherman, I'll offer them to him, but if there's not one around, I release them into the lake.
Should I not be doing this?
If not, why not?
By the way, my favorite suggested addition was, "Take more trash out than you brought". I'd like to see a sign like that posted at every boat ramp!
Deral

[Deral]

Know exactly what you're gettin' at, skeetbum! My wife will go fishing with me any time I want, PROVIDED - -
1. I can guarantee a 5 -7 MPH breeze all day long!
2. The entire lake is completely shaded! (This is not a "set-in-concrete" requirement! As an alternative, she will accept a promise that the sun will be behind the clouds all day!)
3. The temperature will remain a consistant 72 - 74 degrees for the entire day!
4. She will catch her limit within 45 minutes and never get a fish smell on her hands!
Otherwise, she ain't goin' !
Deral