I reported a poacher and I have mixed feelings.

[HuyFishin]

As I was fishing Wabamun Shore from a distance I could see people catching fish instead of putting the fish back in the water I could see them running to the cooler. So I called it in and the officer was about 45 minutes away. I collected licence plate details and a description of the family. I supposed it was very difficult for me since the family seemed very nice and the kids would walk past me to say Hi.

I don't think they were intentionally hiding fish since they left the cooler right next to the walking path. So clearly they didn't read the regulations.What started out as smiles and happiness became glum faces on Canada Day. I did not confront the family when I could have, but I didn't feel like it was my job to. When I called it in they had at least 4 walleye.

When the officer arrived he confiscated the cooler and collected a total of 6 Walleyes. He took photos of the fish and documented everything on the back of the tailgate.

Question is should I have confronted the family so they wouldn't have caught and retained more? They could have caught 5 or 6 more by the time the officer came.

I have this on Camera from my chest cam. They also know it was me since I was the only other fisherman.

[WinefredCommander]

You did the right thing. Don't feel guilt. Props to you man!

[walleyechaser]

Definitely did the right thing. It takes a few minutes to read the regs for any body of water.

[58thecat]

you did the right thing...lessens learnt for the family. even if you did nicely approach the family things could have gotten out of hand...not worth the headache etc.

[Talking moose]

Don’t forget your reward $$$.

[SNAPFisher]

You did the right thing. I understand why you are feeling the way you are. I probably would too. But good job anyways.

There is lots of things that can be said about walleye and Wab limits but that would go nowhere on this thread.

[barbless]

The only ones that will jump on you for what you did could very well be poachers themselves. Good job you No need to feel bad at all. They need to know the rules

[EZM]

Ignorance is no excuse for not complying with the law. Every fisherman, trapper or hunter has a personal obligation to read, understand and comply with the law and take personal responsibility - as these laws are designed to protect the resource.

So in that regard, they were either ignorant to the law, or decided to break the law and they got what they deserved.

It's also not your job to mitigate or police people who break the law.

On the other hand, yeah, I get it, you felt bad and feel like maybe you could have intervened or changed that - but, at the end of the day, you did the right thing. Don't beat yourself up about it.

I know it's Wabamun where a few walleye taken out of there won't hurt anything, but that's irrelevant, maybe the next time this family goes out somewhere different and does the same thing the lake (and the impact) could be far different - as I'm sure the location plays a little bit into your feelings.

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by walleyechaser

Definitely did the right thing. It takes a few minutes to read the regs for any body of water.

Yep agreed!

[Deep]

Agreed, we all have the same regulations- just follow them.

[Cageyc]

You should not feel guilty, everything was going fine until they broke the law. If poachers don’t get caught, we may as well stay home because there won’t be any fish to enjoy.
I have never had to report and I hope that I don’t but will feel good about doing this. Poachers are selfish and don’t really care about resources or the future of these resources.

[trophyhunter]

To the OP, I am 100% behind your decision to report these poachers. People that keep fish without reading the Regulations are habitual offenders, they need to be charged! It’s sad that we cannot have enough eyes out there and that is exactly why we need everyone to stand up for our resources when they get the chance!


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