WYOMING ANGLER NABBED

PIERRE -- One TIPs call was all it took to nab a fisherman for being 17 walleyes over his legal limit. Game, Fish and Parks officials apprehended the poacher on Monday, May 24 near Mobridge after investigating a call from the Turn In Poachers hotline.

This trip started when the couple came to Mobridge to fish the free fishing weekend, and then purchased a one-day fishing license each for Monday.

The TIPs call stated a group of fisherman from Wyoming were walleye fishing in the Mobridge area. Conservation Officer Gary Payer located the group and set up surveillance.

At 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25, Officer Payer stopped the violator of Rochester Wyoming. He was 17 walleyes over the legal limit.

The fines and court costs amounted to $879.50, and he lost his South Dakota fishing privileges for one year. In addition, he had to pay $100 civil damages per fish for another $1,700 in fines. All of his fish were seized. The total cost for the 3-day fishing trip was $2,579.50 plus lost fishing privileges for one year.

TIPs is having another great year. Callers giving information on poachers has lead to the arrest of 68 pheasant hunters and accumulated fines totaling $19,427.50.