The TIPs number in South Dakota is ( 800 ) 592-5522 . In North Dakota the number for Report All Poachers ( RAP ) is ( 800 ) 472- 2121 . •
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August 1996
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Illegal fishing citations were flowing freely during July in the Lake Sharpe / Lake Oahe area around Pierre and Ft . Pierre . Conservation officers reported unusually high numbers of people over-bagging and transporting fish .
Rick Martin , Pierre region conservation officer , said there ’ s two reasons for the increased number of citations being issued . First , walleyes are biting very well on the system , and second , there ’ s more people fishing than ever before .
“ It ’ s been a banner year , alright . Last Sunday alone ( July 6 ) we took 87 over-bagged walleyes in one day ,” he told Dakota Country . “ We issued 10 citations that day , 8 for overbagging and 2 for illegal transportation .”
Martin said the that the area , because of excellent walleye fishing , continues to see more people every year through the entire summer .
“ Fishing pressure is increasing tremendously every years ,” he continued . “ It ’ s not uncommon to see 1,000 boats within 50 miles of Pierre and Ft . Pierre any given day .”
Martin said fishing on Lake Sharpe , especially in the West Bend area 40 miles downstream , is excellent , and limits can be caught in 45 minutes . Most of the citations are issued to people who go back out and catch addition limits . With easy limits , it ’ s difficult for some folks who travel a long way to get to the area , to sit around the campsite the remainder of the day with nothing to do . A few of them decide to go back out and catch more fish .
Most of the citations came as the result of public reporting . Martin credited other sportsmen and women for calling in suspicious activity on the Turn in Poachers ( TIPs ) hotline .
“ I really admire fellow fishermen for calling in this information ,” Martin said . “ They don ’ t accept this behavior any more and we ’ re getting more calls than ever . Most people are good sportsmen , but there ’ s a few who take more than they should .”
Conservation officers set up a road check station south of Ft . Pierre on July 6 and stopped 160 vehicles . They issued 10 citations for the day , resulting in $ 2,400 in fines and another $ 1,200 in civil penalties .
A Sioux Falls resident was cited for having 42 walleyes over the limit , which was the highest violation officers have encountered so far this year . But , Martin
says , in the first week of July they issued citations to four people from Nebraska who had 24 walleyes over the limit , another three people from Missouri also had 24 fish above the limit , and yet another four folks from Iowa had 20 fish over the legal limit .
Conservation officers also work in plain clothes in the area , setting themselves up on the water as well around campsites and fish-cleaning stations . The ratio of citations issued remains basically the same , it ’ s just that there ’ s more people fishing , Martin says . “ I sure encourage anyone to call the TIPs number ,” he said . “ If anyone sees something that ’ s not right , we encourage them to call it in .”
The penalty also recently got stronger on those choosing to take more than their share . Effective July 1 , a new bond schedule was approved by presiding Circuit Court judges that allows high penalties for over-bagging fish . The new find will be $ 30 per fish , plus $ 26.50 court costs for one fish over the limit , and $ 50 per fish , plus $ 26.50 court costs , plus the loss of the fishing license for one year for two or more over the limit .
The TIPs number in South Dakota is ( 800 ) 592-5522 . In North Dakota the number for Report All Poachers ( RAP ) is ( 800 ) 472- 2121 . •
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