Boat Limit vs Licensed Anglers in the boat answer

[Handicrappie]

The question was posed to the MDWFP law enforcement division that if you had 3 licensed anglers in the boat with you on Sardis and only 2 of the anglers were fishing would you be allowed the boat limit of 40 fish.

Here is the answer: The intent of the rule is to limit the catch of 3 or more actively fishing anglers to a limit of 40 crappie. If there are only 2 people actively fishing in the boat the 40 fish boat limit does not apply. Each angler's limit is 15.

[Big H trucking]

So 30 for two people fishing no matter if Grandpa,Uncle Ted, Guide etc is in boat and has licsence. Got to have pole in hand fishing.

[hawgdog]

I figured that was the answer, just don't seeing it being inforced. Unless for some reason the third person gets caught without a license.....Just my.....

Oh Big H.....why didn't you reply to the hook removal post! I bet you couldn't even watch it....

[Handicrappie]

I figured that was the answer, just don't seeing it being inforced. Unless for some reason the third person gets caught without a license.....Just my.....

Oh Big H.....why didn't you reply to the hook removal post! I bet you couldn't even watch it....

Be hard to enforce but this is the rule. Cray gave an example of one ticket that he knows of being written for this because the warden was watching the people with binoculars. Folks will always bend the rules if they want to but but now we know the intent of the rule and its up to us as fisherman to be ethical and follow them.

[jackie53]

Actively fishing would be hard to enforce in a court of law.

[Handicrappie]

Actively fishing would be hard to enforce in a court of law.

Totally agree, but this is not about whether or not its hard to enforce in a court of law. It's about doing the right thing! Either u choose to follow the law or you don't, simple as that.

[CrappiePappy]

Actively fishing would be hard to enforce in a court of law.

I don't think so. To be actively fishing, one would have to have a pole in hand, or within a reasonable distance of reach. Sitting in a seat or reclined on the floor/deck & not having a pole in the water (under their command), does not constitute "actively fishing".

Now, it might be a little dicey if angler #3 has a pole in the water ... but, isn't "really" fishing with it (just there for show), it's not baited, or the hook is bent down. That would constitute an "unethical" behavior, but not technically an "illegal" behavior (unless angler #3 does not have a license).

Having a third angler in the boat, not actively/legally engaged in fishing, for the sole purpose of adding another 10 fish to the overall limit ... is just plain greedy, selfish behavior. It's akin to poaching (theft of resources) IMHO.

Ya'll best be careful, lest you end up with laws like some other states have .... where each persons catch has to be separated, so as to account for size & numbers of each individual angler.

... cp

[KDAVID1]

Thanks Handi. Your pretty useful :thumbup:

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777

["G"]

I agree with Handi and Pappy on this

[jackie53]

We guide on one of the if not the best Trout Streams or river in the world.It is activily watched and managed.the AGFC does a great job.Their is no culling after you put your limit on a stringer,cooler or in a live well.Have lots of trips where the wife or kid's want to go just to experence the beauty of the River and the wildlife.We deal with this issue daily.We really get into the fish and the wife or child wants to catcha few.If I set the hook and the child reels the fish in whos fish is it my fish he reeled it in.I took it off the hook and released it.We have three fishermen in the boat can we have 2 limits or 3. its a hard law to enforce and the word Activily is a hard word to enforce.(Did he inhale as he was smoking the pot) That is why in our boats we never take the limit to the bank or home if the limit is 5 we take 4 home if it is 20 we take 19 home!!! Keep the laws simple easy to follow!!! Don,t make it hard to understand or enforce!!! Sorry Slab,G could not help this one!!!!