Bag limits are set in order to maintain healthy fisheries. Unfortunately, some anglers fail to grasp that concept, or just don't care.
Chien Van Tran, of Otsego, was charged recently with exceeding his limit by 413 sunfish and 30 crappies. If convicted Tran faces up to a year in jail, a $3,000 fine, and the loss of fishing privileges for three years.
The angler was approached at Minnesota's Pelican Lake by warden Rick Reller. According to a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources news release, Reller spied Tran placing a bag of fish in a locked compartment of his boat before attempting to leave the lake.
When approached, according to Reller, Tran produced a cooler containing about a dozen panfish.
After questioning, Tran admitted that there were more more fish on the vessel. The tally was 134 sunfish and 19 crappies. The daily possession limit is 20 sunfish and 10 crappies.
This led to a visit to Tran's home. Inside the freezer, Reller stated, were 11 bags containing 299 sunfish and 21 crappies, bringing the total number to 413 sunfish and 30 crappies over the limit.
“I told Mr. Tran that I would be seizing all the fish," Reller said. "I also advised him that I was seizing his boat, motors, trailer, and fishing license as part of a gross misdemeanor over limit of fish."
Tran is scheduled to appear in court on May 30.
from Brady Zhou
not cool
June 2, 2012 at 6:42am | Report Abuse
from Claude Le Blanc
Jail sounds about right.
June 2, 2012 at 3:08pm | Report Abuse
from knaumann
I don't feel that jail is apropriate. Auctioning off his boat/motors and other equipment along with a lifetime ban from fishing would suffice. Also put the fine up to $5000. I think that would stop him or anyone else from doing anything like this.
June 2, 2012 at 3:15pm | Report Abuse
from Scott Miller
I don't agree with having gone to the freezer and raided his freezer, unless bags were marked with an exact date.
June 2, 2012 at 3:16pm | Report Abuse
from daryl phan
i agree with Knaumann.....but it should stay on his record no matter where he move to or so.....
June 2, 2012 at 3:29pm | Report Abuse
from Phillip Van Aagten
I agree with Scott Miller. How do you know that all those fish were from an exact date and if so still not cool. What if you had fish stocked in your freezer then get raided and charged? I agree on punishment but for all the fish he kept not cool in my opinion for the raid
June 2, 2012 at 4:01pm | Report Abuse
from mark bugiel
i think u guys are missing the point.he was basicaly stealing...and he knew it..replace the words fish from the lake with candy from the store..i dont think they should keep his stuff though he might have to sell it anyways to pay his fines
June 2, 2012 at 4:06pm | Report Abuse
from Mr Dragggon
I have seen it over and over ppl like him takeing more than thier limits,,if they got caught one time,,, I bet he has done it for years and not got caught congtrats to the fish and game for hitting him hard,,will make him think befor he does it again,,,,
A few years ago I saw many asians in Seattle doing the same thing would park thier cars down the road with ice chests in them and run and hide many salmon and steelhead, many of them snagged which is against the law also,Wash. fish and game did catch a few but most got away,,many didnt even have a licence,,,,while the rest of us who had them caught only what was the limit,,,,,,
June 2, 2012 at 4:13pm | Report Abuse
from Deborah Nash
I agree that he shouldnt be charged for fish in the freezer since noone seen when they was caught.As for his boat & other property shouldnt be kept either because its worth more than his fines.Take his licsense for a year & give him a BIG fine,I think he'll be sure not to go over limit again.
June 2, 2012 at 7:13pm | Report Abuse
from Wisfisher
I agree 100% with the punishment. Many people do not understand what a 'daily posession' limit means. On any given day you may only posess "x" many in total. Doesnt matter if they are fresh caught or frozen at home. At least thats the rule in my state. Example: There is a posession limit of 10 channnel cats here. Since my wife also fishes, I can have 20 channels cats in my freezer any given day. I start harvesting again when my freezer count gets down to about 4 or 5. This also helps to keep the fish from getting old in the freezer and getting wasted by having to throw them out. Besides, I have no need to have any more than that at one time in my freezer anyways.
June 2, 2012 at 8:33pm | Report Abuse
from james ahern
About right for punishment. The fish in freezer are questionable but there is a daily limit and possession limit. There is a difference between the two.
June 25, 2012 at 2:22pm | Report Abuse
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