Had a warden pull up alongside our boat while trolling in Minnesota. I started to reel in and he said just keep trolling. He idled along side and held onto our boat and put his in neutral. Asked if we were doing any good and I said one walleye so far and he said can I take a look. Said sure and he reached in and opened the livewell. He said a couple more like that and you and the missus will have a good meal. Asked if I had a license and I started to reach for my billfold and he said no that OK, I believe you. He told me to try a little further around the point as they have been catching some good ones there. I told him thanks and hope you catch the violators. He smiled, said thanks, put his boat in gear aimed out away from us and slowly moved away. He was happy, I was happy, never had to stop fishing, he did his job and I kept doing mine.
See no problem with this.
Did have a problem with Wisconsin DNR. While trolling they zoomed right up to us, not smiling, fierce looking, almost gestapo like and told us to shut everything down, then proceeded to check license,fire ext, livewell, life jackets,etc. When finished they zoomed out wide open throwing a wake.
Didn’t have a problem with the check, just the way they did it. Two different wardens doing the same job but one left you with a good feeling and the other two left you with a little bitterness, and P O’d at their attitude.
If ALL wardens were like the Wi. two I can see why some people would resent being checked out, and if all were like the Minn. one don’t think anyone would object.