I read this on the Lake ST Clair fishing forum. I understand that it is just a rumor but I thought I would still share the post with everyone.
I'd like to start off by saying that this report is "hear-say", but pretty reliable. And whether or not you agree with Michigan's archaic, ridiculous law (that does not allow catch and release during the pre-spawn, but allows targeting bass when they are actually spawning in Lake St Clair from the end of April through June) is irrelevant. I just wanted to report what I've heard.
I was told that the DNR watched a group of anglers in a well know smallmouth bass fishing area from afar. After they were seen catching several bass, the DNR approached them and told them they were in violation of the law. When the anglers told the DNR that they were not targeting bass (even though they were), the DNR reported that they had watched them for quite some time, and they were in violation. At that time, the DNR confiscated their tackle and rods, and threatened to take the boat.
Again, this is complete "hear-say", but I wanted to inform everyone, whether you're bass fishing or not. Good thing the DNR isn't out chasing the guys keeping a limit of perch, only to box em up in the truck, and go back out for another 50. Gotta keep on those bass guys...
I doubt it. The DNR may have harrassed them, but a fine would never hold up in court, unless you can prove that the lure you are using will never catch pike, perch or rockbass and it will ONLY catch bass.
This is one reason I don't waste much time fishing in Michigan until June.
I was told a few years back by an officer of the law about the only way you could get a ticket for catching a bass out of legal catch and release season would be actully telling the officer that you where targeting them.Alot of other fish bite lures that bass bite that was what I was told would I go and target bass in Michigan before the C-R season no but I like to fish for crappies on little grubs and everyone knows crappies are not the only fish that eat them. :)
We get this hearsay every spring. It can happen and does happen to a few people each spring somewhere around the state. Hopefully, we can catch up to most of the rest of the country and do away with this issue altogether.
That doesn't really surprise me. I was on gun lake last spring with my daughter bluegill fishing with a small hook, bobber and a live worm when a flat bottom dnr boat pulled up and accused me of bass fishing because he saw us catch one and we were in a "bass boat". My daughter was the only one with a fishing pole in the boat, and it was a 5'6" ultra light rod. He did let me go but when he pulled off he made some remark like he knew what I was really doing.
Yeah... 'guilty by bass boat' is one of them top reasons I want this unnecessary season to go. I can't afford to buy another boat just so people won't always assume I'm bass fishing. I like to fish for all kinds of fish in all seasons. It's special to be using a crappie rig and still have someone tell you they know what you were doing...
Thats why we took my brother boat yesterday. I didnt want the dirty looks. Yet I watched 3 guys in a lund fishing jerkbaits for perch. When we got back to the launch the co's were checking all the bass boats but left us alone. Was it because we were in a pleasure boat? maybe. It sucks though.
I beleive my Triton to be a Multi-Species boat even if no one else does. Salmon, Steelhead, Walleye, Perch, Catfish, and others have all been targeted from the deck of my "bass" boat.