When is the last time...

[Canadian Wiggler]

When is the last time you saw a conservation officer?After reading Fishchaser's story it got me thinking.I personally haven't seen a CO in about a decade.The last time was at Burrit's Rapids in the mid 90's, although I did have one ask me and a buddy if we had seen any smoke while camping during a particularly dry period.It's not like I fish in out of the way or hard to reach places.It's usually Shirley's Bay or parts of the Mississippi.I am just curious because our new cottage is on a stretch of the Miss. that is a sanctuary untill the first Monday in June, but there seem to be people fishing it every weekend with no worries.We don't have a phone there and none of the boats have been identifiable (canoes and rowboats).So I'm wondering if calling the ministry might get someone out there for the weekend, or possibly next year or are they so undermanned that it's a crapshoot if you'll get one.(Although if they'll go after fishchaser for the address thing you'd think they would make it a point to enforce the sanctuary.)

[Muskiemagnet]

I usually see them at the shack in the winter a couple of times, only because most of the huts are all located near each other and they can nail lots of unsuspecting fishermen. Two years ago on Constance Bay the CO asked to use our shack to warm while he wrote out some tickets. We said sure and he stayed with us for a bout 40 minutes while he was writing up tickets for 30+ anglers. Most were for no licence, it was very early January and the first nice weekend. Easy pickings for the CO's and OPP. After five years living in the Bay, fishing 3 days a week, I've never seen a CO on the open river. Go figure. Too busy going door to door seeing if you've changed your address recently I guess.

[eye-tracker]

I have been inspected 3 times this year already... by CO's and once by the OPP and also once by the Canadian Coast Gaurd.
They are on some bodies of water more than others. Mississippi Lake at the mouth of the river they visit often and Bay of Quinte you get checked alot. I have also been checked on Centennial Lake. All of these areas have a slot size or fish sanctuary so I figure this brings out the CO's.

BTW the Coast Gaurd and OPP only checked if we all had fishing licence...they never checked the fish we had.

[jsdx]

I was inspected 4 times last year on Big Rideau. They often travel with the OPP. They do a safety check and a license/fish check. I have all the stuff required so its not a problem. Takes less than a minute and i usually have it all out by the time they float by...

Last time, they gave my son a free "Crime Stoppers" Lure. ( he calls it his police lure) . It was a spoon (toronto wobbler) with the crimestoppers logo and phone number 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

A few years ago, they were handing out stickers to indicate you've been inspected already. They said that the next time you get stopped, point out the sticker and the officer may let you go without full inspection. He said that they found that once the safety equipment was in the boat, it stayed there for the season, so one inspection was usually enough. Officers discretion however.

[Markus]

I was inspected this spring when fishing the Niagara River. I didn't have my licence on me, but we talked through it OK.