I'd spend the money and buy a license. That way no worries about trying to explain how you got the fish.

 

I'd spend the money and buy a license. That way no worries about trying to explain how you got the fish.

I aggree just get a license keep things simple. Understand it is the perception of the officer. Never step into the grey area when dealing with laws and legal stuff. Plus I doubt you will only be fishing this pond during the season.

 

"If" it is truely "private" meaning no water flow into/out of it (streams ect) then you don't need a liscense and you don't have to follow Mi seasons, sizes, ect. BUT you can NOT take those fish that are out of season, undersize, over limit, off the private property. Meaning say if you go out right now and catch a couple of bass and want to keep them, you can not take them home. you must consume or keep them at the property (cabin/house).
There have been links to the DNR laws on this if you do a search.

 

So if I'm understanding this right. If I go to my folk's place where they have 2 ponds that they paid to have dug, bought the fish that are stocked in there and pay for all the maintenance ( chemicals and fish food) that I cannot bring home a fish if it is not "in season" as far as the DNR is concerned?:yikes:

 

Thats what I've been told by DNR. When in doubt, call the local DNR office and ask.
I have waterfront prop. on a private lake and I asked them the same question you asked.

 

If it is truely a private pond, has no inlet or outlet, never been plant with fish by the DNR or public funds, you can fish for whatever you want, whenever you want, any size you want, and as mentioned you don't need a license. You can take the fish home, a note would be good but not required. Proof would be up to the officer to say you cauth them where they had to be a certain size which is fairly easy to do by a phone call or visit of the owner by the officer. Fish as you wish.

 

I'll take your word for it. Looks like I'll be bringing some fish home this week
Reminds me of the DNR officer that told me at the hunt'n time expo 3 months ago that I did NOT need to have a ORV permit to unload and ride my quad out for ice fishing. Which seems to differ from written law. Hey, who am I to question a officer.

Works for me :evil:
Thanks for clearing that up Boehr.

 

Get it in writing is my motto. Then you wont have he said she said--tell it to the judge.

 

Reminds me of the DNR officer that told me at the hunt'n time expo 3 months ago that I did NOT need to have a ORV permit to unload and ride my quad out for ice fishing.

Maybe, he just didn't like you. If you knew the written law, why did you have to ask or are you fishing for answers you want to hear?:evilsmile

 

I didn't know the written law before I asked him! It was after the fact the I learned the law might be different than I was told. Not saying the officer was/is wrong, just saying I would rather follow an officers opinion on a topic rather than debate them on it. Their the experts in these issues as far as I'm concerned.

 

Becarefull, one problem that I see when it relates to laws and asking ones advice (officer or not) is that it is merely a reference. Unless you actually look up the law and see it yourself you can still be open to violations. I have frequently come across individuals doing something wrong and they have said, "My buddy is a cop and he told me I could do it this way." The laws are available for everyone to read and know. I am not saying Boehr or anyone else is not telling you the truth on the matter as Boehr is always a reliable source of information. Just to say the responsibility of following up on the information you obtain is yours. Like the old saying goes, "Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law." Good Luck and have fun fishing.