Anybody Else Ever Bump Into A WDFW Personel?

[FishingFool]

first time ever today. Was fishing out at Black Lake this morning from 8-1. Anyways, i think around 9 or so, i saw a boat come speeding across the lake. Didnt think much of it. Well, at about 12, i saw that same boat again, and this time, it pulled up and chatted with some fellows a dock next to us. Was doing a survey about the lake and such. Then came to use. Asked us about the fish and stuff like that.

Nice fellow. Forgot his name though.:batman:

[iPodrodder]

We have another discussion about WDFW staff in the off topic section. I'll post a link when I find it.

[iPodrodder]

And here it is. http://www.washingtonlakes.com/Forum/vi ... php?t=2091

[Joe Heater]

Personally I have never been checked in 7 years of fishing in this state. However, I was at Lake McMurray when a WDFW was telling a group of guys that he could have given them a ticket because they came in with 15 trout on the same stringer. He said they had to be on individual stringers so that he would know each only caught 5. Ya, no chance you could catch a 6th fish and put that on your buddies stringer. Brilliant!

[FishingFool]

Personally I have never been checked in 7 years of fishing in this state. However, I was at Lake McMurray when a WDFW was telling a group of guys that he could have given them a ticket because they came in with 15 trout on the same stringer. He said they had to be on individual stringers so that he would know each only caught 5. Ya, no chance you could catch a 6th fish and put that on your buddies stringer. Brilliant!

Hmmm, never thought about that. But then again, we dont usually keep our fish.:batman:

[Joe Heater]

Well I actually called WDFW and told them and they said that isn't a rule and wanted the name of the officer. I didn't know that. Most of those guys are good guys just trying to do their job and make sure nobody is keeping illegal fish. I dont think too many are bad.

Joe

[Anonymous]

I bumped into a $250.00 fine at Cottage Lake. Long story short...I forgot the lake opened the Sat. in April and was caught fishing out of season. It was seriously a total mistake on my part, he was just enforcing the laws. I should have known better. I don't remember his name, but he works all around the state with fish and game. Cottage Lake's home owners' aren't the kindest people (the majority are) and they called WDFW within 2 minutes of when I launched.

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

I get checked by wardens about 3-4 times per year.

[racfish]

Its funny how some get checked and others dont.Its like speeding tickets.I crab every summer.Either in 8-2 or area 10,11.I have never been checked during crab season.I fish steelhead almost every saturday.I have not been checked in years other then the fish counter David.(whos a very cool guy).I dont fish illegal nor do I keep fish not in season.Still I've not been checked anywhere in years.

[cavdad45]

I don't get checked very often by enforcement people, in fact its been years. However, I do see the WDFW survey people that you mentioned a couple times a year, usually when fishing north of the Seattle area like in Whatcom and Skagit Counties.

These are the guys to ask questions back at. They will tell you alot of good places to fish, how to fish, and even stocking info if you like trout.

[HillbillyGeek]

I bumped into a $250.00 fine at Cottage Lake. Long story short...I forgot the lake opened the Sat. in April and was caught fishing out of season. It was seriously a total mistake on my part, he was just enforcing the laws. I should have known better. I don't remember his name, but he works all around the state with fish and game. Cottage Lake's home owners are jerks and they called WDFW within 2 minutes of when I launched.

I had a similar experience last year at Storm Lake. Someone had recommended Flowing Lake and gave me directions. I accidentally ended up on Storm Lake, which is across the street from Flowing Lake and was closed at the time. I was there about an hour when a game warden showed up and educated me with a $109 ticket. I think she actually felt sorry for me because she said "you might be able to get the fine reduced if you go talk to the judge, but I didn't say that". Well, she was right. The judge gave me the phone number of the Snohomish county prosecuting attorney, and he dismissed the ticket. He said that he understands honest mistakes because he had just started fishing here in WA and didn't fully understand all of the regulations -- and he's a lawyer!

[Anonymous]

I bumped into a $250.00 fine at Cottage Lake. Long story short...I forgot the lake opened the Sat. in April and was caught fishing out of season. It was seriously a total mistake on my part, he was just enforcing the laws. I should have known better. I don't remember his name, but he works all around the state with fish and game. Cottage Lake's home owners are jerks and they called WDFW within 2 minutes of when I launched.

I went fishing on a lake that used to be year round. Guy living on the lake yelled from his deck that it was closed. Good thing he didn't call the warden on me.

[Fisherman_max]

i have never been checked by a warden, i have seen a couple wardens but never had them talk to me.

[gpc]

I havnt been checked in a while, probally since last summer. Durring the early spring until early summer, they will be everywhere. The opener and memerial day you will probally see them. Last opener I acctually got an $88 fine for not having a PFD on board. Stupid mistake on my part, it was probally the first time I have EVER been on a boat w/o my life jacket, but thats not an excuse. I guess the opener just got to me and I was on "fish mode", saftey kind of took the back seat. I could lost A LOT more than a few bucks. So I took it in smile, along with the other 4 people on board.

[A9]

Saw em once this year...
Not very often do I see them anymore...

[racfish]

I think a big problem is that the WDFW is way understaffed.Its too bad too.Theres just way too much ground to cover for the few officers in the local offices to check all the fishing/hunting areas in the counties.For the few I have met ,they seem to be pleasent enough.I have never had sharp words said to me nor do I smartmouth them either.I feel they do a good job for as much ground as they have to cover.

[Anonymous]

I bumped into a $250.00 fine at Cottage Lake. Long story short...I forgot the lake opened the Sat. in April and was caught fishing out of season. It was seriously a total mistake on my part, he was just enforcing the laws. I should have known better. I don't remember his name, but he works all around the state with fish and game. Cottage Lake's home owners are jerks and they called WDFW within 2 minutes of when I launched.

Good thing he called the warden on me.

Why would that be a good thing? For one, my ticket was an honest mistake...for $250.00!! Fishing out of season. So I went to court and got the ticket reduced to $100.00, but still $100.00!!! I should have known better, but honest to God, it was an honest mistake...he was an arrogant person. I think most public figures with authority are haughty and power-driven, which then inherently corrupts our legal system. Don't get me going on the WDFW. They're nowhere to be seen on Lake Washington when people fish two sometimes three rods per person, but they're sure there handing out tickets to people who commit much less harsh offense(es). Lesson I learned was to always double check out 200 page manual on regs every time I head out to a "new" lake. And I should. I'm not blaming him, because he had all authority to write the ticket. He could have had a nicer attitude about it...that's what I'm gettting at. Arrogance is not pleasant, especially when you're on the receiving end of that stick.

[Anonymous]

I bumped into a $250.00 fine at Cottage Lake. Long story short...I forgot the lake opened the Sat. in April and was caught fishing out of season. It was seriously a total mistake on my part, he was just enforcing the laws. I should have known better. I don't remember his name, but he works all around the state with fish and game. Cottage Lake's home owners are jerks and they called WDFW within 2 minutes of when I launched.

Good thing he called the warden on me.

Why would that be a good thing? For one, my ticket was an honest mistake...for $250.00!! Fishing out of season. So I went to court and got the ticket reduced to $100.00, but still $100.00!!! I should have known better, but honest to God, it was an honest mistake...he was an arrogant person. I think most public figures with authority are haughty and power-driven, which then inherently corrupts our legal system. Don't get me going on the WDFW. They're nowhere to be seen on Lake Washington when people fish two sometimes three rods per person, but they're sure there handing out tickets to people who commit much less harsh offense(es). Lesson I learned was to always double check out 200 page manual on regs every time I head out to a "new" lake. And I should. I'm not blaming him, because he had all authority to write the ticket. He could have had a nicer attitude about it...that's what I'm gettting at. Arrogance is not pleasant, especially when you're on the receiving end of that stick.

EDIT]

[lskiles]

He could have had a nicer attitude about it...that's what I'm gettting at. Arrogance is not pleasant, especially when you're on the receiving end of that stick.

Regulators are regulators...no matter the uniform

[Gamefisher]

I was checked once last year a week before opening season at Wildcat Lake. I was trying out my boat and motor. He wanted to see if I was fishing, I was not. Then he told me I needed life jackets for my Grandson and myself. I had them in the frount seat of my truck. I showed them to him. He left.

I have a question about the rules on page 72 Westside Lakes - Special Rules Unlisted Westside lakes with Access Areas. How do you know if and when these 60 lake are open or not? I know of one that has all ways been open thats, Kitsap Lake.