Fishing Derby Laws??

[Screaminta]

The last few years I have attended a local children’s fishing derby with my nephew and he always did well. The people that organize the event really do it well and stock a lot, and some nice (3lb+) trout also. The pond is fairly deep, and is capable of holding these trout well into the summer months for good, easy, local, weekend fishing.

My problem is that after the derby and for a few weekends some “outsiders” come and literally fill buckets with these trout. I’ve personally witnessed individuals catching well over the standard limit of 6 by 2-3x. Do the standard f&g laws apply in this situation. It seems the local police don’t care, and this pond is in the suburbs and not something a co would know/care to investigate maybe. I’m just wondering if it’s worth a call. What are your guys’ thoughts on this? Not trying to stir up trouble, but laws are laws and more people could enjoy something other than your typical 1lb bass for a while at least. 

[mazzgolf]

First, in general, they need a license and trout stamp, whether fishing in stocked waters or not -- from page 16 of the Freshwater Digest:

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A valid New Jersey fishing license is required for residents at least 16 years and less than 70 years of age (plus all non-residents 16 years and older) to fish the fresh waters of New Jersey, including privately owned waters.

...

A valid fishing license and trout stamp are both required to fish for or possess trout and salmon for all anglers (residents and non-residents) 16 and over, and residents under the age of 70. No trout stamp is required for residents age 70 years and over.

 

Second, limits are applicable for all waters in NJ - from page 16:

 

Quote

 

The season, size and creel limits for freshwater species apply to all waters of the state, including tidal waters.

...

Only one daily creel of any fish species may be in possession. Additional fish may be caught once the creel is reached if immediately returned to the water unharmed.

 

 

and page 18:

 

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Only one daily creel limit of trout may be in possession. Once the creel limit is reached, an angler may continue to fish provided any additional trout caught are immediately returned to the water unharmed.

 

I don't know all the regs for trout (I don't trout fish myself), but you should read the Trout Fishing section found on pages 16 to 23 to see if there is anything specific to the pond you are talking about. But based on all of the above quotes, if you see someone taking more than the allowed limit of trout anywhere in the state, you can call a CO and they can investigate.

[hunterbob1]

 Do the standard f&g laws apply?Damn right they do!!! Derby's are at least the ones I've done with my son.The fish are paid for from generous donations of the public/private.It's for the kids!jNo size or creel limit apply!.Until!!!When the contest is over,all njfw laws apply!Had this issue many times.No law there not from town to fish,unless private lake/pond.Like you I've seen abuse on the laws.Hard to get police or a conservation officer Johnny on the spot.Pics of fish,car licence if frequent offence,help.

44 minutes ago, Screaminta said:

 

 

[Screaminta]

I just wasn’t sure of the laws since this is a privately stocked pond on a private property. The owners (business) don’t want you there during business hours, but fortunately they don’t work weekends and don’t mind if you fish then. I don’t want to stir the pot since they are generous enough to not mind anyone there, but at the same time it is frustrating to watch these people take so much. It’s more for the kids too since this is basically the first spot I ever really fished as a kid, and has clear banks etc. I guess I could just try and talk these ppl into moderation but I doubt that will go anywhere... 

[mazzgolf]

I would call or email NJ DFW and ask them your questions. Something like: "Do fishing laws/regs apply to private waters and privately stocked fish? And if so, what should I do if I see someone taking fish over their limit on such waters?"

If it really is illegal, you will be told what you can do and who to call. You could even ask for the local CO's cell phone number to talk to him/her or to use in case you need to call them when you see it happening. COs take it very seriously when people are illegally over-fishing. Local police won't care all that much.

DFW always answers my questions and sometimes I even get a call from a CO when its an important issue to be dealt with.

[hunterbob1]

Oh it's private.Njfw has no jurisdiction.

[LPJR]

3 hours ago, Screaminta said:

I just wasn’t sure of the laws since this is a privately stocked pond on a private property. The owners (business) don’t want you there during business hours, but fortunately they don’t work weekends and don’t mind if you fish then. I don’t want to stir the pot since they are generous enough to not mind anyone there, but at the same time it is frustrating to watch these people take so much. It’s more for the kids too since this is basically the first spot I ever really fished as a kid, and has clear banks etc. I guess I could just try and talk these ppl into moderation but I doubt that will go anywhere... 

Agree with you 100%, totally legitimate question and concern.....

Pm sent Screaminta......

[nmc02]

Just my opinion.. I think any (private or public) waterways must abide by state of NJ laws

[Bucksnbows]

There is not a single issue here that needs clarification.  ALL FISHING LAWS APPLY, PRIVATE OR PUBLIC.  PERIOD.  In NJ, we practice old English Commonlaw.  That means the state owns the water and the fish living in it, even if we paid to have them stocked with private money and even if they are stocked or live in a private water body.  That is not in question.  All laws apply before, during and after a fishing derby on any waters in the state.  A call to Paul Tarlow in I&E will quickly confirm this.  I have run derbies for nearly 2 decades and as many of you know, I also work closely with the Division including on stocking for some of my clients here in NJ.  

[mazzgolf]

3 minutes ago, Bucksnbows said:

There is not a single issue here that needs clarification.  ALL FISHING LAWS APPLY, PRIVATE OR PUBLIC.  PERIOD.  In NJ, we practice old English Commonlaw.  That means the state owns the water and the fish living in it, even if we paid to have them stocked with private money and even if they are stocked or live in a private water body.  That is not in question.  All laws apply before, during and after a fishing derby on any waters in the state.  A call to Paul Tarlow in I&E will quickly confirm this.  I have run derbies for nearly 2 decades and as many of you know, I also work closely with the Division including on stocking for some of my clients here in NJ.  

I agree - and this jives with the quotes from the digest I posted earlier. I've not found anything in the digest that says anything about regulations are only for public waters or only for non-stocked fish.

[hunterbob1]

I'll admit when I'm wrong.Thanks Brian.

[Bucksnbows]

1 minute ago, mazzgolf said:

I agree - and this jives with the quotes from the digest I posted earlier. I've not found anything in the digest that says anything about regulations are only for public waters or only for non-stocked fish.

Exactly.  Imagine if it were true.  Then you could shoot all the bucks that walk on your property at any time of year and not care.  Or shoot geese all day long, all year long without care, so long as it was on private lands.  The fish are no different than the game when it comes to public versus private..... 

[mazzgolf]

6 minutes ago, Bucksnbows said:

Exactly.  Imagine if it were true.  Then you could shoot all the bucks that walk on your property at any time of year and not care.  Or shoot geese all day long, all year long without care, so long as it was on private lands.  The fish are no different than the game when it comes to public versus private..... 

The one issue that I was not sure about is the second issue: the stocked versus non-stocked.

So to continue with your analogy - if I bought and stocked my private land with my own privately purchased deer or geese or ducks (if such a thing were legal), would I be allowed to shoot them without care?

I think we are saying "it doesn't matter if the fish are stocked or not - once the fish are placed in any body of water (even private), all laws/regulations apply." Is that true? Bag limits and even potentially size limits? I think you are saying yes.

[Bucksnbows]

6 minutes ago, mazzgolf said:

The one issue that I was not sure about is the second issue: the stocked versus non-stocked.

So to continue with your analogy - if I bought and stocked my private land with my own privately purchased deer or geese or ducks (if such a thing were legal), would I be allowed to shoot them without care?

I think we are saying "it doesn't matter if the fish are stocked or not - once the fish are placed in any body of water (even private), all laws/regulations apply." Is that true? Bag limits and even potentially size limits? I think you are saying yes.

Correct.  The King (in English Common Law) or the state in our case owns the game and sets bag limits.  All rules apply, public or private, stocked or wild.  

[vdep217]

4 minutes ago, Bucksnbows said:

Correct.  The King (in English Common Law) or the state in our case owns the game and sets bag limits.  All rules apply, public or private, stocked or wild.  

Isn't the exception one of those pay per fish type of places,  kind of like a preserve hunt were you can take over the daily limit of pheasant