TIPs CALL NABS THREE ON MISSOURI RIVER

One TIPs call is all it took to catch three walleye poachers on the Missouri River by Pierre, SD.

A TIPs caller stated he was fishing on the Missouri River by Pierre Tuesday evening and around 11:30 PM it started to rain so he came in along with the other fishermen. While at the fish cleaning station, another party of 3 showed up and had around 20-25 walleyes. The informant talked with them, found out one was from CO and where they were staying.

The informant called TIPs. Conservation Officers Jason Baldwin and Ron Catlin set up to watch for them the following night. They located the suspects but only two were fishing. Around 1 AM when they came in to shore and went to the fish cleaning station the officers moved in. The two fishermen had 10 walleyes at that time plus the three of them already had 29 walleyes in a freezer.

39 walleye seized
15 over the possession limit
3 citations issued

One violator from Commerce City CO, charged with 6 walleye over the limit = fine will be $336.00, civil damages $300, plus will lose his fishing privileges for one year.

Another violator from Steen MN, charged with 6 walleye over the limit = fine will be $336.00, civil damages $300, plus will lose her fishing privileges for one year.

A third violator from Hills MN, charged with 3 walleye over the limit = fine will be $126.00

The three paid a bond amount which totaled their fines.  Total costs for poaching fish was $1,398 plus two of them will lose their fishing privileges for one year each.

One call is all it took, please call the TIPs Hotline at 1-800-592-5522, it may be the biggest call you will ever make. Cash rewards are paid once an arrest is made.