FEBRUARY 25, 2025|
Photo – Vacuum packed brown and rainbow trout confiscated by WY G&F – Courtesy Wyoming Game and Fish
Three California men have been caught taking too many fish from the North Platte River.
Last week, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced that three nonresident anglers from California have pleaded guilty to exceeding trout possession limits and violating size restrictions while fishing the North Platte River in Saratoga.
Game and Fish began its investigation last November after discovering 32 vacuum-sealed bags containing brown trout, half of which exceeded the 16-inch size limit, in the freezer of an unnamed Saratoga resident.
Anglers fishing on the North Platte River in Saratoga are only permitted to keep one brown trout that is more than 16 inches long per day. The purpose of this regulation is to maintain the thriving wild brown trout population and the river’s blue-ribbon classification.
The resident informed Game and Fish agents that a group of out-of-state anglers had been using his shop to process game meat and store fish. The unidentified store owner was unaware of how many fish the anglers had caught.
Game Warden Levi Wood found and interviewed the three California fishermen, who initially claimed that they only caught three trout per day. However, after additional questioning by Warden Wood, the three individuals admitted to exceeding the daily possession limits and size restrictions.
According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, one angler took 10 brown trout, four of which were more than 16 inches long. The second fisherman took 15 brown trout and one rainbow trout, with nine of the brown trout exceeding the size limit. And the third angler took seven brown trout, including five that were more than 16 inches long.
The men originally claimed that they were unaware of the possession limits. However, multiple witnesses reported that the anglers were informed about the regulations.
All three Californians were issued citations for exceeding the limit of game fish and violating size restrictions. On Dec. 4, 2024, the three anglers pleaded guilty and were ordered by Carbon County Circuit Court Judge Susan Stipe to pay a combined total of $1,140 in fines and $1,500 in restitution. The three individuals also had their national fishing privileges revoked for one year.
Game Warden Levi Wood wrote that, “This case highlights the importance of understanding and following fishing regulations. Possession limits exist to protect fish populations, and it’s every angler’s responsibility to know the rules.”
Wyoming Game and Fish recommends that anyone unclear about hunting or fishing regulations contact the nearest regional office or local game warden.
