Fishing License in NY

[Xandre]

I'm not really a fisherman but I have buddies who fish and they come out on my boat.

If I am out with someone else who is fishing and they DON'T have a license to fish am I liable because they are on MY boat? If DEC motors up to us to and my friend is fishing illegally and I am just sitting without even a pole can I get fined as well for allowing him to fish?

Thanks!

-Alex

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Fishing License in NY

Not how it works in Michigan, the person fishing will receive the ticket. You need to check with your local LEO, it could happen, and that would be a shame if it did.

 

[Tig]

Re: Fishing License in NY

Check local laws. Around here anything used to commit an offence can be seized. That would mean your boat is in jeopardy.

 

[LongLine]

Re: Fishing License in NY

You only need a fishing license in NY if you are actively fishing OR assisting a person who is fishing. Assisting means: holding fishing rod, moving fishing rods or gear out of the way, netting the fish, handling the fish, baiting the hook (changing lures), manuvering the boat so he can fight or land it. That kind of stuff. If he is fishing off the back of the boat & you're on the deck sucking a cold one & getting a sun tan, then no you do not need a license.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[LongLine]

Re: Fishing License in NY

I don't think I really answered your question. No you have no liability for your friend (other than friendship) if your friend is fishing without a license & gets caught. But ,as said before, if officer sees you touching any of the gear, you can get a ticket for your actions, not for your friends.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[sschefer]

Re: Fishing License in NY

Go get a copy of the Fishing Regs. If you can't understand them then odds are that the person making the enforcement decision can't either. What's wrong with just asking your friends to show you their license before they go out with you. If they don't have one tell them to go get a day license or they can't fish.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Fishing License in NY

Check local laws. Around here anything used to commit an offence can be seized. That would mean your boat is in jeopardy.

The same here in 'Bama, but they won't just stop with your boat... they'll take your trailer and tow vehicle too.

I say if you knowingly let someone fish off of your boat without a license you're aiding and abetting them.

Fishing licenses are a lot cheaper than the fines and penalties that go with being caught fishing without one.

 

[Xandre]

Re: Fishing License in NY

Thanks for the feedback on this everyone.

Verdict is in...no fishing on my boat unless everyone is licensed.

The DEC had a floating check point set up today in the channel going from the bay out to Lake Ontario. Glad I am a law abiding boater =)

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Fishing License in NY

As a thought... In Michigan, fishing licenses are not that expensive. Get one for yourself. They help pay for boat launches and other boater support. That way, even if they don't have one and you get caught, YOU (and thus I suspect also your boat) are legal. They get a ticket, but you probably are safe. Besides, you might get hooked (bad pun, but intentional) on fishing.

TerryMSU

 

[LongLine]

Re: Fishing License in NY

That "floating check point' on the bay was part of the annual "Lake Ontario Boat Anglers Survey." There was probably 1 officer and two biologists. DEC Lake Division does a lot of research in support of Salmon fishing on Big-O. They check returning fishermen & ask things like what did you catch, where you from, How long were you fishing, estimate what you spent on the trip, etc. They randomly set up in all the tribs spring/summer/fall around Lake Ontario. They tally it all up & with a summation of all the research, present a formal "state of the lake report" in March every year. Google their site. They just posted the 2010 report. Next time you see them stop & ask them a few fishing questions, they tell you where & what's hot & where it's not. The Lake DEC is nothing like our troopers.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[Xandre]

Re: Fishing License in NY

As a thought... In Michigan, fishing licenses are not that expensive. Get one for yourself. They help pay for boat launches and other boater support. That way, even if they don't have one and you get caught, YOU (and thus I suspect also your boat) are legal. They get a ticket, but you probably are safe. Besides, you might get hooked (bad pun, but intentional) on fishing.

TerryMSU

Yeah not a bad idea! I think it's only 15-21 bucks.

 

[Xandre]

Re: Fishing License in NY

That "floating check point' on the bay was part of the annual "Lake Ontario Boat Anglers Survey." There was probably 1 officer and two biologists. DEC Lake Division does a lot of research in support of Salmon fishing on Big-O. They check returning fishermen & ask things like what did you catch, where you from, How long were you fishing, estimate what you spent on the trip, etc. They randomly set up in all the tribs spring/summer/fall around Lake Ontario. They tally it all up & with a summation of all the research, present a formal "state of the lake report" in March every year. Google their site. They just posted the 2010 report. Next time you see them stop & ask them a few fishing questions, they tell you where & what's hot & where it's not. The Lake DEC is nothing like our troopers.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

OK that is interesting. I assumed they were checking licenses and such but didn't realize it was a scientific mission. I'll google the site to see what the survey from 2010 says.

Thanks for chiming in on this!

 

[LongLine]

Re: Fishing License in NY

Go to NYSDEC site. In search box, enter: Lake Ontario Annual report. Read the executive summary then go into the report if you like.(It's only about a million pages long). Along with sections on the Boat survey, they also have a tributary survey, status of preyfish, Lake trout restoration, annual stocking reports, warm water fisheries reports, sturgeon restoration, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Almost anything you'd want to know about the "state of the lake."

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[Xandre]

Re: Fishing License in NY

Go to NYSDEC site. In search box, enter: Lake Ontario Annual report. Read the executive summary then go into the report if you like.(It's only about a million pages long). Along with sections on the Boat survey, they also have a tributary survey, status of preyfish, Lake trout restoration, annual stocking reports, warm water fisheries reports, sturgeon restoration, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Almost anything you'd want to know about the "state of the lake."

Tom B.
(LongLine)

I checked this out...Wow it is in depth!

I'm dying to see a Sturgeon but looks like they are mostly up Towards the St. Lawrence according to the report.

 

[LongLine]

Re: Fishing License in NY

They were also experimentally stocked in our "backyard". However don't try to catch one there as they are watched very closely by many agencies. It's quite illegal to catch one there. A couple years ago DEC set up a netting survey of smallmouths just east of the city & caught one a little over 3ft long, so there's hope for our grand kids.

Tom B.
(LongLine)
(LongLine)

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Fishing License in NY

Sturgeon are a really cool looking fish. If you can call that. Very prehistoric. Almost looks like something that would grow legs and walk on land. Dad use to fish for them in the Niagara river in the 50s. We have pictures of him with six footers. They are still legal to fish in some rivers however the size restrictions are tight. They are usually found in the deepest parts of the river an like relativity swift moving water. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTWl-qbOr9c

 

[Xandre]

Re: Fishing License in NY

They were also experimentally stocked in our "backyard". However don't try to catch one there as they are watched very closely by many agencies. It's quite illegal to catch one there. A couple years ago DEC set up a netting survey of smallmouths just east of the city & caught one a little over 3ft long, so there's hope for our grand kids.

Tom B.
(LongLine)
(LongLine)

No I don't want to catch one...just see one. Maybe dive with one if possible.

A number of years ago I was standing on Veteran's Memorial Bridge and could see 3 or 4 very large fish below in the water. I'm talking 4-6 feet! Couldn't tell what they were but I always hoped it was sturgeon. Could be giant carp though. It was hard to tell from the bridge as it's very high up.

 

[Xandre]

Re: Fishing License in NY

Sturgeon are a really cool looking fish. If you can call that. Very prehistoric. Almost looks like something that would grow legs and walk on land. Dad use to fish for them in the Niagara river in the 50s. We have pictures of him with six footers. They are still legal to fish in some rivers however the size restrictions are tight. They are usually found in the deepest parts of the river an like relativity swift moving water. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTWl-qbOr9c

Wow that was a big one!

I would love to see those photos from 50's!

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Fishing License in NY

When I head back home (Williamsville, NY) I'll see if I can get mom to get out the photo box. The whole family still lives up there. In fact my sister does a lot of work out of Rochester. She's with California closets. A good fisher woman also. I moved to just outside of Philly. Not to my liking but the work is good. Got to love the NY Lifetime Sportsman license program. We all have them. I will be getting my son his for his birthday in a couple of months. He's thinking about going to RIT just so we can spend more time in the western NY outdoors.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Fishing License in NY

That "floating check point' on the bay was part of the annual "Lake Ontario Boat Anglers Survey." There was probably 1 officer and two biologists. DEC Lake Division does a lot of research in support of Salmon fishing on Big-O. They check returning fishermen & ask things like what did you catch, where you from, How long were you fishing, estimate what you spent on the trip, etc. They randomly set up in all the tribs spring/summer/fall around Lake Ontario. They tally it all up & with a summation of all the research, present a formal "state of the lake report" in March every year. Google their site. They just posted the 2010 report. Next time you see them stop & ask them a few fishing questions, they tell you where & what's hot & where it's not. The Lake DEC is nothing like our troopers.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

They are not checkpoints for infractions. Like Tom said above they are taking in data. If you go right by them I doubt they will really care.

However to say the lake DEC is nothing like our troopers is a bit misleading. From what I understand the DEC has more authority than the Troopers. People think that they are not real cops and that couldn't be further from the truth.

If you get stopped by the DEC on your boat however they will only check your fishing liscense and catch if any. I was stopped once on my buddy's boat and we realized we were one PFD short. Thank goodness the DEC didn't care about that (or even bother to check). If it were the sheriff we would have been in a world of trouble.