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please read this....what a Wi DNR warden told me today

6/21/26 @ 6:46 PM
INITIAL POST
fishs
User since 2/17/04

While perch fishing in Kenosha today ( Lake Mich.) and launching out of Kenosha I  asked the LEO (warden) while leaving if I launched in Kenosha and went into Illinois ( 3 miles away) where the perch limit is 15 and caught 15 ( in Ill)  and I had an Ill. license would I be ticketed. His answer was yes because the limit in Wisc. L Mich is 5. I can come up with a whole bunch of examples where his answer makes no sense. What do you think?

Displaying 1 to 15 of 27 posts
TODAY @ 5:03 AM
Wright6
User since 2/5/14
I believe you’re allowed to be in possession limits for every license you hold.  You just simply cannot be on a body of water over your daily limit.  Erie, there is no possession limit.  I’d definitely have my packages labeled and dated.  Maybe even a hotel receipt to prove how many days you were there.

6/23/26 @ 8:30 PM
fishs
User since 2/17/04
So how's that work when I go to Canada or lake Erie or any other state and bring back the possession limit according to those waters...Who's rules do I follow. The sate that I live in or the state that I hold a license in.

6/23/26 @ 7:41 PM
Wright6
User since 2/5/14
That wouldn’t be a violation at all.  The violation is if you’re in possession of more than 5 perch on the water on the Wisconsin side.  That is over the limit.  His logic is that more than 5 can’t be brought back by water.  You can even legally keep 15 in Illinois, drive your truck to Wisconsin, leave your fish in the cooler in the truck and go out and get 5 on the Wisconsin side.

6/23/26 @ 7:06 PM
fishs
User since 2/17/04
so with this wardens logic if I drove in a car vs boat to Ill. and fished in North point marina...a mile south of the Wis Ill.border... caught my 15 limit in Ill. the second I crossed into Wis. I am over my Wis L Mich 5 fish limit....  so what law did I violate? 

6/23/26 @ 5:50 PM
Brent Hess
Brent Hess
User since 12/18/07
If you shot a deer in one zone, and transported the deer  to a different zone, and got questioned by a warden, you'd likely be asked a few questions....

If the warden didn't think you were being forthright, I'm sure you'd be asked to take the warden to the kill site, where you were standing when you pulled the trigger, show me the gut pile, drag marks, etc...

Wardens are typically fairly wise to people's ways.

They talk to hunters, and fisherman all day, every day. I'm sure they know when they're getting a snow job, and when someone's being honest....

6/23/26 @ 3:26 PM
Wright6
User since 2/5/14
But that’s the thing, it’s not really a guess.  If you’re on a water with more than your limit, you’re in violation.  Same as if you were on a lake, got some panfish and went to another lake with a limit of 10.  Say you didn’t remove the fish caught earlier and kept 10 more.  You’re in violation for being over your limit.  Wardens don’t have to take your word that you caught fish elsewhere.  If you’re over the limit where you are, that’s what it is.  I can certainly see leniency where it normally occurs.

6/23/26 @ 2:40 PM
oldhunter
User since 2/28/13
One more time,  the warden can't cite you on a guess, he needs to have proof.  If it went to any court, the judge would not hesitate to dismiss the charges. 

Reminds me of a old joke, where a couple were at a lake cottage and in the morning the husband went fishing in a boat. He came back for lunch with no fish. After eating he fell asleep, and the wife was bored, so she decided to take the boat and cruise around the lake.  The husband left the fishing poles in the boat, and lo and behold a warden stopped  the wife who had no fishing license. even though she wasn't fishing, the warden was going to write her up for fishing without a license. She said she wasn't fishing, but the warden said looking at the fish poles ,said but you have all the necessary equip. 
The woman replied, well if you are going to write me a fishing violation, I'll have to charge you with sexual assault. The warden said he did not assault her. The woman replied back, no but you have all the necessary equipment. 

6/23/26 @ 10:16 AM
lakeshiner
lakeshiner
User since 7/20/09
I wouldn't be concerned about it after talking to him.  Maybe its different there because that is also the closest launch for that area of MI waters so its more common. Its 1 mile to MI waters, whereas the same location of MI waters from the nearest MI launch is close to 20 miles.  Lots of people were doing it, seemed to be the norm there.  That's actually why I asked about it, after seeing all the boats heading for MI.

6/23/26 @ 9:57 AM
Wright6
User since 2/5/14
Totally get it Lakeshiner, but why leave the door open for violation?

Same but different.  A big part of the reason Muskie was opened earlier was to not have to police people who claim they’re bass fishing but actually targeting Muskie.  Basically avoiding conflict.

6/23/26 @ 9:43 AM
Carpio
Carpio
PRO MEMBER User since 11/5/17
It seem like it all boils down to if you are lucky or unlucky on that particular day.lol

6/23/26 @ 9:31 AM
lakeshiner
lakeshiner
User since 7/20/09
I talked to a warden near Saxon Harbor about the lake trout limit on Superior.  Many guys run over to Michigan waters from there because you can keep 3, whereas in WI waters its only 2.  He said as long as you don't stop and fish in WI waters its fine.  Just pick up in MI waters and head straight for the WI harbor.

So I guess you have 2 wardens contradicting each other  .

I see it as I can go to a different state and catch fish, then drive them back with my truck across state lines.  Why would the type of transportation matter as long as I'm not partaking in fishing on my way back.

6/23/26 @ 8:45 AM
Wright6
User since 2/5/14
Not really the same as you should visually be able to prove where the doe was harvested.

6/23/26 @ 8:33 AM
oldhunter
User since 2/28/13
How about this scenario, kind of same circumstances.?

I'm deer hunting in a county that allows me to shoot one antlerless deer. I shoot one and load it on my truck, then drive a mile down the road, and in a county that does not have antlerless permits. I stop to make a deer drive with a friend, ( I can still  hunt legally with a antlered tag).
A warden comes along and says I'm violating and liable for a citation, because I have a antlerless deer in a non antlerless county.

Same scenario, and will repat. It is up to the warden for burden of proof. where the deer was shot.  

6/23/26 @ 7:22 AM
Wright6
User since 2/5/14
I’d say it’s completely dependent on who you get for a warden.  Will he take your word or is he going by the book.  Honestly, if he went by the book I don’t see any way to argue it.  If you’re over the limit, you’re over the limit.  

6/23/26 @ 7:19 AM
oldhunter
User since 2/28/13
Don't confuse education with intelligence.  

Displaying 1 to 15 of 27 posts

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