Today's Public Service Announcement

If you don't already have your fishing license (which I hope all of you do) get one ASAP! Also, you freshwater guys, don't forget that you need an ocean enhancement stamp in order to fish the salt. It's in the $5 range.

Reason I'm saying this is because I just found out that my cousins husband recently got caught by DFG and he didn't buy a license this year. I was curious and cruised on over to the DFG website... according to the DFG site, the initial ticket is $200...but wait there's more... after court fees and all that fun stuff, you are looking at a whopping $800  you read that right and no it was not a type-o.

If you thought you couldn't afford a $50 license, just wait until you get popped...

Yup, pretty much 0 tolerance re: not having a fish lic.

Some people have to learn the hard way, good on the dfg!

That's some good info there Lolly. I work with the court system and TRUE DFG does not mess around. The fines multiply with every infraction they find. Fishing without a license, illegal catch, illegal form of fishing, too many hooks the list goes on. there are tons of people that think they can fight it. As if it were a traffic ticket. They show up and fight. Not that easy to get out of those. It's deff better to spend that extra $$$ consider it insurance. I get all that they offer even the second rod endorsement. You never know when they are looking.

Out of all the years I have been fishing I've only been asked for my license once but you better believe I have it on me each and every time. I even have it when fishing piers. There was once when it wasn't until I got to the water that I realized I didn't have it so I went home.

what the heck is DFG?

I only know of DFW. 

At Santa Fe dam the sit in the truck at a distance and use binoculars to scan the waters. They keep an eye out. They roll up on you before you know it. They check there often. Better not be caught without it.

I've been asked 3 times, once at Piru lake, DVL, and at the LAB.

Met Don Nelson at Legg Lake one day, not sure if he's still with the DFG, but they did and do patrol city lakes.

Question, say I forgot mine and get sited, if I go to court with proof of license purchase before the sitation was issued, will it be dismissed?

Aquaholic38 wrote:Question, say I forgot mine and get sited, if I go to court with proof of license purchase before the sitation was issued, will it be dismissed?

This is also covered on the website. It doesn't get dismissed but it gets reduced to about 150. It doesn't really matter when you bought it. The important thing is where it's at when they ask for it.

.:LOLLY:. wrote:

Aquaholic38 wrote:Question,  say I forgot mine and get sited, if I go to court with proof of license purchase before the sitation was issued,  will it be dismissed?

This is also covered on the website. It doesn't get dismissed but it gets reduced to about 150. It doesn't really matter when you bought it. The important thing is where it's at when they ask for it.

I see. Thanx for the 411 I have gotten away with murder twice!! Nice officers :b

Aquaholic38 wrote:

.:LOLLY:. wrote:

Aquaholic38 wrote:Question,  say I forgot mine and get sited, if I go to court with proof of license purchase before the sitation was issued,  will it be dismissed?

This is also covered on the website. It doesn't get dismissed but it gets reduced to about 150. It doesn't really matter when you bought it. The important thing is where it's at when they ask for it.

I see. Thanx for the 411 I have gotten away with murder twice!! Nice officers :b

That's luck there, brotha!!! I've been asked what I caught by DFG. When I told them it was all catch and release. The asked if I had a license I said "yes" but he didn't want to see it. That's the closest encounter I've had.

Plus its just cool to have. I mean c'mon its waterproof paper! I tell friends n family that n they always wanna test it out but I'm like no just encase lol

I got cited once a long time ago when I use to kayak fish, long story short, I was fishing from cherry beach, caught a short halibut, kept it, warden was waiting for me on shore  , gave me a ticket, went to court, "donated 1G"...lesson learned!

wiseguy wrote:I got cited once a long time ago when I use to kayak fish, long story short, I was fishing from cherry beach, caught a short halibut, kept it, warden was waiting for me on shore  , gave me a ticket, went to court, "donated 1G"...lesson learned!

Curious, what did you get sited for??

Also:

I always keep my license where you pretty much can see it. Have been told you don't need to display it anymore????

That's correct. You do not need to display it anymore but you better have it on you.

That's all good info. I better take look at the regulations to make sure I know a little about most of it. To cover my ass!!!

fishntoss wrote:

wiseguy wrote:I got cited once a long time ago when I use to kayak fish, long story short, I was fishing from cherry beach, caught a short halibut, kept it, warden was waiting for me on shore  , gave me a ticket, went to court, "donated 1G"...lesson learned!

Curious, what did you get sited for??

Also:

I always keep my license where you pretty much can see it. Have been told you don't need to display it anymore????

the short halibut (under minimum size). 

fishntoss wrote:Also:
I always keep my license where you pretty much can see it. Have been told you don't need to display it anymore????

That's incorrect. You need to carry your permit, and don't have to display it always. However, the license is required to be presented at hand. Unless your license is lost, since your driver license is tied to your fishing license, it can be verified by the warden with just a quick login access from his laptop to DFW site, or a quick call to the local HQ.