DEC tickets people for fishing related infractions | Environment

A Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) initiative in the Hudson River watershed and Adirondacks has resulted in ticketing or formal warning of 117 people for a variety of fishing-related infractions.

According to the DEC, between March 16 and April 30, DEC Environmental Conservation Officers wrote 105 tickets and issued 26 written warnings in Greene, Columbia, Rensselaer, Albany, Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Hamilton, Franklin, Essex and Clinton counties.

The initiative was designed to coincide with the spawning run for walleye, an important recreational fishery in New York. In addition to ticketing for illegal walleye fishing, officers tickets people for taking too many striped bass, fishing in closed areas, taking smelt illegally, possessing loaded firearms in vehicles, taking undersized fish and the reckless operation of vessels.

“A greater presence during this vulnerable time for walleyes protects this valuable fishery,” said ECO Major Tim Duffy in a statement. “Walleye poachers will often spear the fish as they pool up in shallow water to lay their eggs. This initiative sends a strong message to the poachers that their illegal actions will not be tolerated.”