Good Idea to Keep Fishing License Around

T

tbae

Member
#1
#1
Several weeks ago I was fishing Sat afternoon through the evening at Dana Point Harbor pier when a DFW officer visited and started making small talk with everyone fishing then asked for their fishing licenses even though this pier doesn't require a fishing license (if it does please let me know).

Luckily I had my fishing license handy and since I didn't want to get into a long discussion about whether this pier doesn't require one (or worse get fined for something that, per my understanding is legal) it was easier to just show him my license, to which he said something like "don't worry about the ocean enhancement, I'll let it pass". Now it's true I don't have an ocean enhancement stamp but also true that I, like others, were fishing on a fishing pier and don't need a license, let alone an ocean enhancement (again if I do please let me know).

Unfortunately, some other party that just got to the pier and were unpacking their equipment and the DFW officer asked them the same thing to which this party said they don't have one but also didn't think they needed one. The DFW officer said (it was harder to hear at this point because of wind and distance) something like, "you have 2 choices, you can fish there (he pointed to some direction near the long jetty) or over there (again he pointed at some other different direction, maybe over to the short jetty)". Then he said with a chuckle, "lucky you guys didn't start fishing before I checked for your licenses", and the party walked away.

I guess moral of this story is to always carry your license (easier now if you sign up with the DFW app) since you might get stopped and asked for your license, just based on what the DFW officer thinks is legal or not.

Also - if anyone out there knows of any rule that changed with the Dana Point Harbor pier re: fishing please let me know.

Thanks in advance!
 
TheFrood

TheFrood

Well-Known Member
#2
#2
tbae said:
Several weeks ago I was fishing Sat afternoon through the evening at Dana Point Harbor pier when a DFW officer visited and started making small talk with everyone fishing then asked for their fishing licenses even though this pier doesn't require a fishing license (if it does please let me know).

Luckily I had my fishing license handy and since I didn't want to get into a long discussion about whether this pier doesn't require one (or worse get fined for something that, per my understanding is legal) it was easier to just show him my license, to which he said something like "don't worry about the ocean enhancement, I'll let it pass". Now it's true I don't have an ocean enhancement stamp but also true that I, like others, were fishing on a fishing pier and don't need a license, let alone an ocean enhancement (again if I do please let me know).

Unfortunately, some other party that just got to the pier and were unpacking their equipment and the DFW officer asked them the same thing to which this party said they don't have one but also didn't think they needed one. The DFW officer said (it was harder to hear at this point because of wind and distance) something like, "you have 2 choices, you can fish there (he pointed to some direction near the long jetty) or over there (again he pointed at some other different direction, maybe over to the short jetty)". Then he said with a chuckle, "lucky you guys didn't start fishing before I checked for your licenses", and the party walked away.

I guess moral of this story is to always carry your license (easier now if you sign up with the DFW app) since you might get stopped and asked for your license, just based on what the DFW officer thinks is legal or not.

Also - if anyone out there knows of any rule that changed with the Dana Point Harbor pier re: fishing please let me know.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Officer was in error according to Dana Point's website...
Pretty clear in the first paragraph.
https://danapointharbor.com/activities/things-to-do/fishing/

From DFW website
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Beach-Fishing#freefishing
 
Red Fish

Red Fish

Senior Member
#4
#4
There are so many ways to present your license these days. I wear my license on a lanyard every time I go fishing. Also, I have a digital copy on my cell phone. As well, I have a copy in my car. In the SF Bay Area, you better follow all the fishing rules on piers even if a fishing license is not required The DF&W wardens have been issuing quite a few citations for multiple appliances. A few people have been cited in the last month at the same location for 3 rods, 2 rods, and a cast net, and maybe some over limits of perch. The (2) new, young wardens are ex-military and are not playing! No warnings. They are sending a clear message that if you don't play by the rules, you will be caught and cited.
 
Fishman Fishman

Fishman Fishman

Well-Known Member
#7
#7
tbae said:
Several weeks ago I was fishing Sat afternoon through the evening at Dana Point Harbor pier when a DFW officer visited and started making small talk with everyone fishing then asked for their fishing licenses even though this pier doesn't require a fishing license (if it does please let me know).

Luckily I had my fishing license handy and since I didn't want to get into a long discussion about whether this pier doesn't require one (or worse get fined for something that, per my understanding is legal) it was easier to just show him my license, to which he said something like "don't worry about the ocean enhancement, I'll let it pass". Now it's true I don't have an ocean enhancement stamp but also true that I, like others, were fishing on a fishing pier and don't need a license, let alone an ocean enhancement (again if I do please let me know).

Unfortunately, some other party that just got to the pier and were unpacking their equipment and the DFW officer asked them the same thing to which this party said they don't have one but also didn't think they needed one. The DFW officer said (it was harder to hear at this point because of wind and distance) something like, "you have 2 choices, you can fish there (he pointed to some direction near the long jetty) or over there (again he pointed at some other different direction, maybe over to the short jetty)". Then he said with a chuckle, "lucky you guys didn't start fishing before I checked for your licenses", and the party walked away.

I guess moral of this story is to always carry your license (easier now if you sign up with the DFW app) since you might get stopped and asked for your license, just based on what the DFW officer thinks is legal or not.

Also - if anyone out there knows of any rule that changed with the Dana Point Harbor pier re: fishing please let me know.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Glad to hear Wardens are out making contact for compliance with CA regulations.
 
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