Being a "smolt", I may have missed out on this topic being discussed at length in this forum. But, I still can't resist raising the issue of the immorality, much less illegality, of snagging fish. Okay, just so you know, I don't think it's cool. But, come on! I've witnessed first hand how many fish succumb to the practices employed by commercial and Indian net fisheries. These are fish that don't "voluntarily" commit themselves to their demise by swimming into purse seines and gill nets. On the other hand, how many of you have witnessed, or even participated, in the illegal taking of (primarily) salmon by means that did not depend on the so called "voluntary" action of the fish? I pose this aggressive stance in hopes of hearing your opinions beyond what's "legal" and "illegal." I think it's a matter that's a combination of the fact that we don't have a powerful and organized lobby on the practical side of the law AND that we pursue fishing as a hobby that feeds a higher pursuit beyond culture and career. I mean, what's so wrong about taking one fish by "hook or crook" versus taking many fish by a means that's legal by codified law?

Burnt Thumb:

codified law....stops most, big fines stop others, fear of getting caught stops others. If I had my way, full name would be published in the local papers, plus loss of licenses for a 2 year period. As we get closer and closer to computerized licensing it will be very easy to just not issue a license to those who have broken the "codified law".

I agree with you....but then the "law" needs to be changed.

"Worse day sport fishing, is still better than the best day working"

Drifter, your idea on punishment is abit harsh don't you think? I could get off easier for a D.W.I. I think punishment should fit the crime for sure. However, if there was that kind of finds levied the only ones that would make money would be the lawyers. Because I guarentee you that people would take it to court and probably win 95% of the time! The reason it would be so hard to convict is because you would have a very hard time proving that "I" was actually snagging these fish. I'm not an attorney but I think it would be hard to prove real intent. Have a good day....

it is illegal to retain a fish that has been hooked somewhere other than the mouth. and there probably is a code that specifies what constitutes "snagging". but snaggers are real easy to see as they are the ones throwing #4 buzz bombs and ripping them thru the water at mach speed! anybody with just a little knowledge knows that is not how they are used. besides it doesn't matter what the tribes or commercials do. make sure your house is in order as two wrongs do not make a right. no matter what you can't justify or rationalize illegal behavior. just my two cents worth.

First, just to correct oscar, it's not the mouth, but it's legal to keep anything hooked above the gillplate. Now, I will say I find it by no means sportsmanlike to snag a fish. What's the point in it? If you're a subsistence fisherman, yes by all means snag away. I feel if it's your only way to feed your family then I feel family comes first. But, unless you live in remote Alaska, I don't see it here in Washington in the new millenium. The point to fishing is to have fun, try to FOOL a fish into hitting what you're throwing it, then playing it in (then release or keep if legal to do so). I've had many a times that I could look into a hole and see fish not biting. Of course it would have been easy to snag it, but what would that have proven? Would I be a better fisherman for it? No, it takes no morals to snag a fish. Have I snagged a fish, yes, but not on purpose. The fish was immediately released upon landing (man is it hard to land a tailhooked salmon). I'm not sure about punishment. I feel maybe first times a warning, maybe a small fine. If you get hit another time, then maybe go with the picture in paper. But, I can almost guarantee you this, most snaggers haven't purchased a license in the first place. Well, that's all I have to say......

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you haven't lived til you're rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

You would have to "be" drunk to even argue that snagging fish should carry less of a fine than a D.W.I... If it happened it would be my hope that after you snagged some fish and thought that was "O.K" that the state cops would pull that person over and really send them to jail.... People who poach big game should be sent to the slammer...period

I cant believe what I'm reading.Snagging a fish isn't even in the same catagory as a DUI.DUI is risking human lives on the road.Are some of you nuts! I dont believe in snagging and poaching but that is a bit rediculous.I personally dont feel the DUI laws are hard enough but if they were I sure dont feel a snagger should get that stiff of punishment.I feel it should be harsh enough that people might think twice before doing it.The loss of there liecence wouldnt help because most of them don't have one.How about a 5000 fine to be paid in 60-90 days if not paid put a warrant out for there arrest. Along with that maybe 30 or so days in jail.The problem is most just get a small fine and a slap on the hand.just my .02

I beleive in Canada that if your caught poaching you can loose your vehical and even your home if found guilty. Also have read that Canada has more game wardens killed in the line of duty than the USA because the laws are far more tougher and so poachers have to play for keeps. Game wardens are far better trained in law enforcement than in this country because of that.
Poachers in times of prosperity are equal to drunk drivers, both need to feel the pain of thier actions!

DUI and snagging dont compare.Your not putting other peoples life at risk snaggin!!


I dont agree with snagging but lets put it this way.fishing by a snagger the guy next to him dont have a chance of being killed on the spot.Drivers that are intoxicated can kill at any moment on the road.


I think the punishment should be stiff on a snagger dont get me wrong.
but do you feel that a DUI driver that kills someone on the road should get the same puishment as a snagger that kills a fish?

[This message has been edited by Timber man (edited 06-15-2000).]

Where I fish for steelhead people often snag the fish with large spoons. They also get away with because there is not enough athuroties at the rivers wich in my area are state owned. If there would be more of a watchful eye these snaggers would be greatly reduced in numbers. I also think that there should be a no treble hook law for steelies. Where walleyes run in erie tribs that law is enforced, and there is more of a watchful eye on the fisherman. There is never anyone on those rivers trying to snag walleyes. But there is probably more of a enforcement at walleye rivers because it brings in alot more money than steelhead fishing does.

Timber Man,
Both crimes are serious in my mind. DWI involved in injuries or death should be a very long prison term. Poaching for no other reason than, "I don't care about the law I'll do as I please". This crime should be loss of property and a stiff fine or jail time. I also believe that knowen corperate polluters, commercial fishermen that do not report thier by-catch and private land owners that lay waste to thier land by over developement, stream alteration and destructive clear cutting should have some sort of jail sentance also. It's the disregaurd for what we have on our planet that pisses me off weather it's the drunk that knowingly drives when he knows he has a far greater risk of killing someone. Or the guy that has no regaurd for the guy down stream or the fish when he puts his D-9 in the creek or clearcuts in a irresponsible way. It's time for all off us to be good citizens or pay the price, the world is just too small for all the bull that goes on.

Timber man I agree with you 100%. Snagging and D.U.I's do not even compare!!!! My guess is that some of these people on this B&B have lead nothing but perfect lives... In response to B-Run, If you were to come behind my house and SNAG the very last salmon I think you were an idiot and that a jail sentance could be in order! However, if you go out and get drunk and kill or hurt one of my family members I would definately make an attempt at your life!!! I'm just making an example.. But, you must see the difference. I don't lead the perfect life some of you guys appear to have led. I'm a very firm believer in capitol punishment and the punishment should the crime!!! Hey B-Run, may I suggest that the punishment for snagging be acouple of 2/0 trebles in the groin area and run wide open for 100yrds!! For the record, I want you guys to know that in no way am I condoning snagging of fish. I just can't imagine somebody comparing the above mentioned crimes...

In Oregon i think the fine is $300, but i`m not sure, I do know that their ain`t no fish worth $300. You want to see a snag fest, come and fish the mouth of the Klickitat and Deschutes in Sept.i bet half are snaged. Pretty easy to tell when a 35# salmon is snaged in the back.

"67" you are right about no fish being worth $300. I am not sure what it costs in Wash.(it may vary by county) but I'm pretty sure they have the 3 strike rule, eg: get 3 violations within 10 years and you could lose your license,I think it is up to the enforement agent to decide if they want to go for your license..Please, if anybody knows the rules for sure, post them! I think the level of punishment is already in place we just need more enforcement. Maybe we can get some of the agents to check something besides a boat launch!!! Tight Lines for All..

steelheader69,
read page 13 of the 2000/2001 sportfishing rules: SNAGGING-ATTEMPTING TO TAKE FISH WITH A HOOK AND LINE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE FISH DOES NOT VOLUNTARILY TAKE THE HOOK(S) IN ITS MOUTH. bluntly put, if the fish is not hooked in the mouth it is not a legal hookup. where in the rules does it say anywhere above the gill plate is a legal hookup? in oregon maybe but not in washington. of course the rules do say if the fish is hooked in the eye, gill, or tongue it should be kept if legal to do so. how many fish(while fishing legaly) have you hooked in the eye, gill, or tongue? i personally have never hooked a salmon or steelhead in the eye or gill but have hooked a few(less than 6) in the tongue. could this be due to the fact that generally these fish hit and turn back downstream and thus get hooked in the crook of the jaw or the lip? this is not a personal attack by any means. just stating what the book says and speaking of my experiences.

Oscar, I have hooked them in the eye, nose, side of the head, and alot in the lower jaw on the outside of the mouth...but that dosnt` mean the fish didnt` have it in his mouth at one time. I think sometimes when you set the hook thats were it ends up, but i think they all bit at it. Just my 2 cents

Ok oscar, they don't list it in rivers this year (or at least I haven't read that far yet since I don't thoroughly read the new rules until I'm ready to go fishing. Last time I was fishing was in April on the Hoh) but it says plain and clearly on pg 15 under species....STEELHEAD may be caught and released until the daily limit is retained. If a fish has swallowed the hook or is hooked in the gill, eye, or tongue, it should be kept if legal to do so.

It also says same thing on pg 56 on bottom paragraph under TACKLE. I've fished WA for the last 27 years, and never in OR, so I have no idea about the laws down there.

I will say I never said that snagging compares to DUI. I do feel the crime should be punished though nonetheless. I do believe in Alaska they too confiscate truck, house, etc if you're poaching. Maybe WA needs to do that also???

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you haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

Steelyhorn hunter:

The topic was snagging.....then you throw in D.W.I., so the many made comments about those 2 topic's. Is snagging a problem?? yes it is...Is enough being done???...I don't think so.....probably cause some "silver tongued lawyer" has gotten people off that should have been fined. Enforcement is spread pretty thin but to spent time checking "boat numbers", access stickers, barbed hooks, treble hooks vs. swash hooks, fishing 2 rods, etc. instead of snagging, taking more than the limit seems to be a poor way to try and protect the resourse. Every river system has a "snagging problem", spend time there, write tickets, video tape those that are the cause of the problem, then let the court system do thier job.

"Worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"....

I'm in agreement with Steelheader69, anywhere on the head is legit. This includes gillplate, the chin and top of head. I do a lot of saltwater salmon fishing and foulhooking kings and silvers is a common occurance, especially when I'm jigging darts and buzzbombs. Oh, and let's not forget about that trailing hook on the cut plug that always seems to find the pectoral fin. The situation changes in the river, where the salmon probably wasn't in hot pursuit of the yarn "fly" when it got hooked in the anus (or even the gillplate). Also, what's up with drift fishers who think a corkie/yarn combo hooks river chinook as well as an egg cluster. Lining dosen't just happen in Alaska!!! I only know one angler whose moral fishing integrity is completely air-tight (only keeps fish hooked in the mouth from the inside). The vast majority of us talk the talk and keep as many bright kings as "legally" possible...

[This message has been edited by Hohwaiian (edited 06-16-2000).]

Poaching doesn't pay, just read this article.
http://www.fishinginoregon.com/feature/0005/feature_160.htm

Suckers got what they deserved!