Aggrivating Fishing Expereince

[GTAbassangler]

Spent all yesterday afternoon/evening in a local trib in oakville. Was walking downstream when we came across 2 lawn chairs and what looked like people hiding in the bushes.

As we got closer they returned to their chairs, turns out it was an older asian couple. We asked them if they had caught anything, and she shows us with her hand maybe 4". She then pointed out the fish net they had tied to a fallen down tree with probably ~15 baby smallmouth bass no more than 3-5". The size we were catching all day: http://prntscr.com/7x7j4y

By then, the guy came over with another one and put it in the trap. I said to him, you know those are illegal to keep right? They are too small. You should put those back.

He said "oooh really"? and both walked away continued fishing. I poop you not, they each had a stick about 2' long and had a few feet of fishing line tied to it with a bobber and worm. Not even a fishing pole.

And we wonder why we didn't see/catch a single bass over 1/2 a pound... Its aggravating really. I wish the MNR had some sort of volunteer program, because straight up there is nowhere near enough enforcement from them in the fishing side of things.

All in all, it was an okay day, ultra light gear catching those little guys left right and center was fun.

I am also curious, do you think those bass were from the spawn this spring? How fast do bass grow?

What do you guys think?

 

[flowerjohn]

Spent all yesterday afternoon/evening in a local trib in oakville. Was walking downstream when we came across 2 lawn chairs and what looked like people hiding in the bushes.

As we got closer they returned to their chairs, turns out it was an older asian couple. We asked them if they had caught anything, and she shows us with her hand maybe 4". She then pointed out the fish net they had tied to a fallen down tree with probably ~15 baby smallmouth bass no more than 3-5". The size we were catching all day: http://prntscr.com/7x7j4y
By then, the guy came over with another one and put it in the trap. I said to him, you know those are illegal to keep right? They are too small. You should put those back.

He said "oooh really"? and both walked away continued fishing. I poop you not, they each had a stick about 2' long and had a few feet of fishing line tied to it with a bobber and worm. Not even a fishing pole.

And we wonder why we didn't see/catch a single bass over 1/2 a pound... Its aggravating really. I wish the MNR had some sort of volunteer program, because straight up there is nowhere near enough enforcement from them in the fishing side of things.

All in all, it was an okay day, ultra light gear catching those little guys left right and center was fun.

I am also curious, do you think those bass were from the spawn this spring? How fast do bass grow?

What do you guys think?

Isn't it sickening? I've had a few hassles like that on simcoe. I grabbed a guys net last fall and threw the fish back. It seems that a few bass and a bag of rice will suit some people fine for a month of food. When I encounter people like that I go into superhero mode. I am the law. I know it's wrong but there is no one else going to enforce it. No co's around ever and the police have no power. I am the thin blue fishing line. Cheers.

 

[[email protected]]

Isn't it sickening? I've had a few hassles like that on simcoe. I grabbed a guys net last fall and threw the fish back. It seems that a few bass and a bag of rice will suit some people fine for a month of food. When I encounter people like that I go into superhero mode. I am the law. I know it's wrong but there is no one else going to enforce it. No co's around ever and the police have no power. I am the thin blue fishing line. Cheers.

you can be charged for that, whether they are in the wrong or not, thats harrassment. also disruption of someones reasonable enjoyment of fishing. call it in. thats your duty, face to face encounters like that can and have ended badly

 

[flowerjohn]

I agree with you ff. it just riles you sometimes because people play stupid and you knowthat they know darn well what they are doing. I agree and i am not recommending what i did. As for reasonable enjoyment of fishing it kind of ruins your enjoyment when they are throwing nets for gamefish cheers.

 

[Dave Bailey]

you can be charged for that, whether they are in the wrong or not, thats harrassment. also disruption of someones reasonable enjoyment of fishing.

In this case, maybe not. It is illegal to prevent someone from legally fishing, but if GTAbassangler's estimate of 15 fish is correct, then they were well past their possession limit, and were no longer legally fishing.

 

[GTAbassangler]

Not even possession limit, is there no size limit for smallies in zone 16?

Like I said, they were no more than 3-5". If there is any sort of size limit, I am 100% sure that would be under.

I am not familiar with the size restrictions as I am strictly a catch and release fisherman

 

[getin]

It's sadly the same story anywhre you go within 2-3 hrs of GTA. Two weeks ago I saw the same thing with a guy and his extended family of 5-6 keeping a ton of small bass and walleye. They seemed not want to stop until I gave them crap and tried to call MNR to only notice no one picked up the phone. Took a picture of their car plate number. They went away but today another group and same story.

I am with you on a volunteer program. These people will only stop if they suspect that the person next to them might have more authority than them

 

[flowerjohn]

The mnrf is going to do nothing. The only way they work is if they come upon you. That's why I'm vocal about the rules sometimes

 

[GTAbassangler]

Exactly. You call them, and get an automated voice messaging system and who knows how often they even check it. Does nothing.

Ive been fishing for 7 years now and I have yet to of been asked to show my license to anyone yet alone even see a MNR officer out.
But im a good person and still update my card even though its retarded. Not to mention I bet you 99% of the people in our expereinces we have posted here didnt. Hell they didnt even have a real fishing rod!!!!

Outdoors card every 3 years and then renewal of fishing license every year but to have a license you have to have an outdoors card :???: :???:

 

[steeleseeker]

Sorry to hear that. Especially since it's in my neck of the woods. The most you can do with these idiots is remind them that these practices will result one day in there being no fish left. I always observe recreational fisherman (if you call them that) keeping out of season bass or filling buckets with whatever swims. I just try to make them feel uncomfortable enough to leave. It's a shame how selfish people are but not a surprise. Mnr can't be relied upon. There's no funding left for them. The liberals are so far in debt, natural resources protection is the last thing theyre worried about. I Can't even remember the last time I ran into a c.o. who's to stop these morons? A couple more months till the salmon run. Then the circus really begins.

 

[salmotrutta]

I said to him, you know those are illegal to keep right? They are too small. You should put those back.

There is no size restriction for bass. There are possession limits, but if they both had sports licenses, together they can keep up to 12.

If they had 12 or under and were properly licensed, then you were in the wrong for harassing them.

If you commonly see people keeping over their limit, if you keep a copy of the regulations on hand, you can open them up and show people the limits and then call the MNR etc.

Not an expert on bass growth rates, but my guess would be 1 year old fingerlings.

 

[rich_ace_G]

Isn't it sickening? I've had a few hassles like that on simcoe. I grabbed a guys net last fall and threw the fish back. It seems that a few bass and a bag of rice will suit some people fine for a month of food. When I encounter people like that I go into superhero mode. I am the law. I know it's wrong but there is no one else going to enforce it. No co's around ever and the police have no power. I am the thin blue fishing line. Cheers.

You're borderlining assault. I've come across some of white buckees myself. I always make sure to be polite. Ask if they know the law and how much penalties they will be facing if they get caught. I did this before bass opener in frenchmans. One guy was catching catfish and was keeping it. I caught a bass while fishing for pike. He asked if he can keep the bass I caught I told him it going back because bass won't open for another week. Then he caught one. I told him he should put it back because he will get fined, lose his gear and license. he was having none of it. I told him I'm gonna make a call if he doesn't and if he leaves I will take his license. He dropped it in the water like it's hot. I know these people will keep everything legal or not legal. I just made sure he's not taking bass home that day.

 

[rich_ace_G]

Exactly. You call them, and get an automated voice messaging system and who knows how often they even check it. Does nothing.

Ive been fishing for 7 years now and I have yet to of been asked to show my license to anyone yet alone even see a MNR officer out.
But im a good person and still update my card even though its retarded. Not to mention I bet you 99% of the people in our expereinces we have posted here didnt. Hell they didnt even have a real fishing rod!!!!
Outdoors card every 3 years and then renewal of fishing license every year but to have a license you have to have an outdoors card :???: :???:

It doesn't have to be MNR. I know police can enforce conservation laws, no?

 

[[email protected]]

It doesn't have to be MNR. I know police can enforce conservation laws, no?

In some areas yes, Durham, no, i have asked a few of them when they come into the store if I can call them for illegal fishing. In port hope area, they are able to penalize for illegal fishing, and I think OPP can as well.

 

[[email protected]]

As for coming across CO's, I have been checked for the 3 years while steelhead fishing, and twice in the last 2 years while out on Rice and Scugog, and most recently 3 weeks ago at the boat launch in Caesarea

 

[GTAbassangler]

Hmm, interesting. It seems as if the COs only care about the salmon and trout though.

 

[rich_ace_G]

Hmm, interesting. It seems as if the COs only care about the salmon and trout though.

I wouldn't say that. I've come across COs closer to bass opener and pike opener. I guess it's a better time to catch someone during those times.

 

[[email protected]]

I wouldn't say that. I've come across COs closer to bass opener and pike opener. I guess it's a better time to catch someone during those times.

exactly, think numbers, opening weekends means way more people fishing than normal, means easier to to spot illegal fishing, mid summer means less people fishing. weekends will see far more traffic than weekdays


same reason why you see more speed traps on roads during the week as opposed to weekends. its a numbers thing

 

[rich_ace_G]

exactly, think numbers, opening weekends means way more people fishing than normal, means easier to to spot illegal fishing, mid summer means less people fishing. weekends will see far more traffic than weekdays


same reason why you see more speed traps on roads during the week as opposed to weekends. its a numbers thing

Pretty much. If you go to Frenchmans on a weekend. there is like close to 100 people fishing and I bet you there 1 that won't have a license. Not trying to be judgemental but just basing it on my experience. a couple of years ago I saw a whole family who were ready to fish. (2 kids and the couple). upon chatting with me, asking what kind of fish i catch (this was on bluffers) I told them a bunch of species depending on the method. I told them you should check the reg as some species are still close and they will lose license if they get caught. the couple didn't know this. lol. In the end I told them their kids can still fish. At least they listened and didn't fish. There are still people who don't know about fishing license.

 

[miles]

the mnr cares most about walleye as they are the most sought after fish in ontario. Trout and salmon fall behind. If you aren't getting checked by the CO's otherwise you don't really fish, fish the wrong spots or the very best spots ;-) I think I got check 7 times last year. Few times on the ice, few times on the boat few times on the river. Probably saw the COs around and didn't get checked another ten times.