Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 10, 2002
For more information:  Jason Baldwin, 223-7700

FISHERMEN FINED FOR TWO TRIPS--TOO MANY WALLEYE

PIERRE – Good fishing and greed once again have proven to be an expensive combination when they collide with the law. 

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officer Jason Baldwin, working on Lake Sharpe between Pierre and Fort Pierre, recently caught four Minnesota fishermen taking two fishing trips in the same day and winding up with far more than their legal limit of walleyes.

The four men – Wayne Stach, 41, of Becker; Brian Fuller, 40, of Anoka; Bruce Fuller, 43, of Sartell; and Randell Casper, 38, of Becker – went fishing the morning of April 4 and caught their limits of walleyes (four per person). They cleaned their fish at a local motel, returned to the water fishing and caught 16 additional walleyes, another daily limit.

Officer Baldwin observed the men catching fish in the morning, followed them to the motel where he saw them clean and cook the fish. He was also on the job when they returned to the river for their second round of fishing. Baldwin was waiting for them at the dock at 7:30 p.m. when they returned from their second outing.

Each fisherman was charged being four walleyes over the limit and paid a bond equal to $226 apiece. In addition, they will pay $200 each in civil damages and will lose their fishing privileges for one year – a total of $1,744 in fines.

"If this type of illegal fishing keeps up, all fishermen will feel the effect by reduced limits and by a poor quality of fishery," Baldwin said. "Limits are set to protect the fisheries both now and for the future."

Baldwin stressed that catching fish and eating them in the same day does not affect the daily limit an angler may take. Once a daily limit is caught and kept, the angler is done fishing for that fish for the day. Once a possession limit is reached, fish can be eaten and more fish may be added to the possession limit, as long as they are taken in accordance with the daily limit. The daily limit of walleyes on Lake Sharpe is four, and the possession limit is eight. In addition, Lake Sharpe has a minimum size limit of 15 inches from Jan. 1 through June 30, and again from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. The daily limit may not include more than one fish 18-inches or longer. 

Baldwin stressed that the liberal fishing limits on Lake Oahe above the Oahe Dam do not apply to Lake Sharpe.

"Lake Sharpe is a very popular lake that has excellent fishing," Baldwin said. "We have to strictly enforce take limits to protect these waters. Anglers are extremely protective of these waters and watch closely for overbagging. Those who do not obey these rules may find themselves the next news item."

Sportsmen may call the Turn In Poachers (TIPs) Hotline to report any suspected game or fish violation. The toll free number is 1-800-592-5522. Call any time day or night to report a violation and provide as much specific information as possible. Callers may be entitled to a reward should an arrest be made.

-30-