kickingfrog Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Could get you a ticket specifically for doing so in NY state. http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2015/05/new_law_photographing_fish_caught_out_of_season_a_ticketable_offense.html Due to the increasing trend of fishermen catching "out-of-season" fish and posting pictures of their catches on Facebook and other social media, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has put a new fishing regulation in effect that makes the practice a "ticketable offense." The new regulation, which took effect April 1, is listed in the new DEC fishing guide that one gets when he or she buys a fishing license. It's listed on page 52 under the "General Take and Possession" heading. According to the fishing guide: "A person may not fish for a species (even if immediately released) during the closed season for that species on a given water. Fish caught during the closed season must be unhooked and released immediately. They may not be handled for any other purpose, including taking a picture." Taking a picture of an out-of-season fish can result in a ticket from an environmental conservation officer. The resulting penalty can be a fine of up to $250 fine, and/or 15 days in jail. "It's a ticketable offense. It's all because of the social media thing and people posing with the fish for pictures. They often spend too much time dilly- dallying and don't return the fish immediately to the water," according to Lori Severino, a DEC spokeswoman. "This was designed to protect the fish species." Bottom line: one can't take an out-of-season fish out of the water for any reason other than to take the hook out and release it. The penalty for holding that fish up quickly or leisurely (it doesn't matter) for a picture is no longer allowed. Situations where new law would apply include: *Catching and photographing an out-of-season bass on the St. Lawrence River or on a Lake Ontario tributary in Jefferson County, where unlike the most of the state there is no off-season catch and release fishing allowed outside of the regular bass fishing season. *Photographing an out-of season walleye caught on Oneida Lake or elsewhere. *Catching and photographing an angler holding up a sturgeon he or she "accidentally" landed. (Sturgeon are endangered species and there is no open season in this state to fish for them.) And needless to say, Severino added, "intentionally angling for threatened or endangered fish, or for fish during the closed season for that species" is also prohibited. In situations where "catch and release" angling is allowed (such as for bass during the off-season in most parts of the state, or for trout in a stream designated as a no-kill waterway), the DEC fishing regulations state: "Measuring, weighing and photographing the fish are permitted as long as the fish is not removed from the water for an extended period or handled in a manner that could cause harm. Fish may not be held on a string, or placed in a bucket, tub, livewell, or any other holding device." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 I always thought it was an offense here too....isn't the wording something like "fish must be returned to the water as soon as possible"? If that is what it says, then a photo is a no no here as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 So if you post a picture of said OOS fish on FB or any other, they will track you down? I get the whole posting thing, but really? Come on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 What if you post a pic later on or something like that? Warrant for your camera to see when the photo was taken? Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bailey Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Just keep a video camera running. That way people can see both the fish and the immediate release. You still have the proof to brag about, and no guilt. Just don't hang around the same spot if you keep latching on to OOS fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outllaw Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 lets see I catch a specie outa season bye accisent. I net it unhook it and let it go ,a pictures taken and I am an outlaw. c,mon. maybe we can blurr every persons face so were all not sued...fined..called poacher.. unsportsmanlike. guys folks gotta get a life.. maybe the mnr can put photo radar of oos fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkpie Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Way bigger issues out there than this. Looks like the Internet nannys have finally won in NY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted May 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Sounds like NY's law is similar to Ontario's. Immediate release is too ambiguous for some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Have fun enforcing this NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJL Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 This is how it should always have been IMO. I wish Ontario would put the same rules in our regulations booklet. Releasing OOS immediately should mean just that - Pop the hook and it's gone. It's probably a lot worse in winter when eyes and gills can freeze in the sub zero temps. I would love to see CO's handing out tickets to the guys spending minutes showboating OOS bass to the cameras while fishing for pike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 This is how it should always have been IMO. I wish Ontario would put the same rules in our regulations booklet. Releasing OOS immediately should mean just that - Pop the hook and it's gone. It's probably a lot worse in winter when eyes and gills can freeze in the sub zero temps. I would love to see CO's handing out tickets to the guys spending minutes showboating OOS bass to the cameras while fishing for pike. That is how it is in ontario. Immediate release of OOS fish. I agree totally on the ice fishing side. But here taking a pic of an OOS bass isnt gonna hurt the fish unless its shorefishing and flopping around on a bank. On RR cos even let you take pics of sturgeon, and there is ZERO season for them. And I appluad that(as long as your not targetting them). It does no harm to the fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 This is how it should always have been IMO. I wish Ontario would put the same rules in our regulations booklet. Releasing OOS immediately should mean just that - Pop the hook and it's gone. It's probably a lot worse in winter when eyes and gills can freeze in the sub zero temps. I would love to see CO's handing out tickets to the guys spending minutes showboating OOS bass to the cameras while fishing for pike. Ok lets play this game. OOS fish. In the water,pliers in hand to release fish from hook.Fish is still in the water here. Grab hook with pliers or what ever,snap a shot and pull the hook. That works for me. NO SELFIE or what ever they call it. BTW Mike. Seen the signs bud. No biggie for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaucus Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 (edited) The MNR wants pictures of some OOS fish! Edited May 20, 2015 by Glaucus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Hahaha epic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecmilley Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 Sure letsnkeep all seasons closed till june Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeytier Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 Why are people up in arms over this? It was illegal before, it's illegal now, they just added an extra sentence into the regs to be more clear. lol I don't think a CO is going to give you a fine for photographing a fish while it's in the water, c'mon guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxie Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 No big deal and those who think it is should give their heads a shake.........till it falls off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landry Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 It won't stop poachers from doing it anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 It won't stop poachers from doing it anyways. Poachers are doing a lot worse then just taking pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave524 Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 I thought spring was here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Well at least we know who thumbs their noses at the rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 The CO's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 My cottage is in NY on a lake with these rules so I've been dealing with this for years. I'm a rule follower and do my best to avoid bass pre-season. But this no-pic thing takes it too far in my opinion. If I catch a nice chunky bass while pike fishing, I have no problem holding it for an extra 2 seconds while my buddy snaps a pic. It doesn't hurt the fish at all and we love having nice pictures from our trip. I understand It's breaking the rules and I could be fined .... but enough is enough. The rules on the lake I fish allow for anglers to sit at a river mouth a week after the walleye spawn and catch big fat females all day long - with no size restrictions and a generous creel limit. Facebook is filled with pics of dead 10 pounders every Spring. It's really hurting the walleye population in the lake and a few simple rule changes could make a HUGE difference. But, photographing a bass and releasing it unharmed before June 15th comes with a $250 fine. Seems backwards to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 My cottage is in NY on a lake with these rules so I've been dealing with this for years. I'm a rule follower and do my best to avoid bass pre-season. But this no-pic thing takes it too far in my opinion. If I catch a nice chunky bass while pike fishing, I have no problem holding it for an extra 2 seconds while my buddy snaps a pic. It doesn't hurt the fish at all and we love having nice pictures from our trip. I understand It's breaking the rules and I could be fined .... but enough is enough. The rules on the lake I fish allow for anglers to sit at a river mouth a week after the walleye spawn and catch big fat females all day long - with no size restrictions and a generous creel limit. Facebook is filled with pics of dead 10 pounders every Spring. It's really hurting the walleye population in the lake and a few simple rule changes could make a HUGE difference. But, photographing a bass and releasing it unharmed before June 15th comes with a $250 fine. Seems backwards to me. Totally agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkpie Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 (edited) Whoops, double. Edited May 20, 2015 by porkpie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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