Anglers from all over the country flock to the North Platte River for its world class trout fishing, but unfortunately, not all of those anglers conduct themselves ethically. Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department recently fined three such individuals from California when they were caught with dozens of brown trout, many of which exceeded the slot limit for the river.
“The current special regulation on North Platte River in Saratoga helps to maintain a thriving wild brown trout population and its blue-ribbon classification,” said Bobby Compton, Wyoming Game and Fish Department fisheries supervisor in the Laramie Region. To keep the quality of fishing on the North Platte River where the alleged poachers were fishing high, regulations only allow for a daily and possession limit of three trout, only one of which may be more than 16 inches long. “These are places where trout exceed 600 pounds per mile, making them exceptional places to fish. There are only 16 rivers with a blue-ribbon classification in Wyoming.”
Officials discovered a freezer full of trout in the home of a Saratoga, Wyoming, resident on Nov. 12, 2024, kicking off the investigation. They discovered 32 vacuum-sealed brown trout,18 of which were over the 16-inch size limit, and one rainbow trout. When questioned, the Saratoga resident stated that a group of anglers from California were using his shop to process and store the fish, and claimed to be unaware of the number of fish present in the freezer.
After the excessive bag was discovered, Saratoga Game Warden Levi Wood found the three individuals responsible for the overharvest and interviewed them. During questioning, the group claimed they only caught three trout per day. But after being pressed by the game warden, the anglers were singing a different tune.
The group claimed they were confused about possession limits, which are the maximum number of fish that may be possessed at any time and in any form (even in their freezer), and daily or creel limits which are the total number of fish a person may harvest in a single day. Possession limits are applicable no matter how long the time between harvest is.
Despite the anglers’ insistence that they did not understand the difference between creel and possession limits, multiple witnesses reported they were informed of the regulations. Eventually, the group told Wood they exceeded the daily and possession limits and size restrictions.
The investigation confirmed that one angler took 10 brown trout, including four more than16 inches long. Another took 15 brown trout and one rainbow trout, including nine more than 16 inches long. The third angler took seven brown trout, including five more than 16 inches long. Each was issued citations for exceeding the limit of game fish and violating size restrictions.
The group subsequently pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2024. Judge Susan Stipe of the Carbon County Circuit Court ordered the anglers to pay a combined total of $1,140 in fines and $1,500 in restitution. They were also stripped of their fishing privileges in Wyoming and the 48 other states that participate in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact for one year.
“This case highlights the importance of understanding and following fishing regulations,” Wood said. “Possession limits exist to protect fish populations, and it’s every angler’s responsibility to know the rules.”
