Page 8 - July/Aug 2020 Outdoor Oklahoma

Game Warden’s Journal

ACCOUNTS FROM THE FIELD BY THE PUBLIC
SERVANTS WHO ENFORCE THE FISH AND
WILDLIFE LAWS OF OKLAHOMA

TEXOMA GUIDE PAYS FOR STRIPER LIMIT VIOLATIONS

By Jena Donnell, Information and Education Specialist fishing while Walker and a fourth plainclothes Game Warden
observed from a nearby boat. When the guide was hired, it was
Lake Texoma, with its scenic shorelines and renowned fishery, is agreed the guide would track the number of fish caught so that
often called the “Striped Bass Capital of the World.” But that acco- the daily possession and length limits allowed for the four people
lade relies on a healthy striped bass population and enforcement on the boat were not exceeded.
of regulations that limit the number and size of stripers removed But when the operation was over, 42 striped bass had been kept,
from the lake. two fish over the daily possession limit. A majority of those fish
So, when Oklahoma Game Wardens received a tip that a were longer than 20 inches, when only eight fish were allowed over
licensed fishing guide was keeping more than the lake’s daily the lake’s length limit given the number of people on the boat.
limit of 10 striped bass per person, and exceeding the number of An arrest was made and the guide was charged with 32 mis-
20-inch-plus bass each person could legally catch and keep, they demeanors, one count per over limit fish. Nearly four months
launched an investigation. later, the guide pleaded guilty to all charges and agreed to pay the
“We rely on tips from the public. But to make the case, we need associated fines.
to witness the violation or have proof the violation occurred,” “Guides can be a great introduction to the sport of fishing. They
said Game Warden Billy Bob Walker, based in Marshall County. can help everyone on the boat have a good time, enjoy Lake Tex-
“This particular guide was notorious for cleaning the day’s fish in oma, and have a chance to catch a good fish,” Walker said. “But
a secluded cove instead of going to a dock with a cleaning station. it’s important that we all work together to make sure the resource
Unless we knew the area of the lake he would be fishing that day, stays healthy and available to other anglers.”
we didn’t have a way to catch him without going undercover.” General fishing regulations, along with special regulations that
In August 2019, two undercover Game Wardens posed as apply to specific public fishing waters, can be found in the Okla-
clients and set out with the guide and a deckhand for a day of homa Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide, available online
at wildlifedepartment.com or in print at license vendors statewide.
darrin Hill/odWc darrin Hill/odWc

Oklahoma Game Warden Billy Bob Walker conducts a fishing license check Cooper Walker, son of Game Warden Billy Bob Walker, holds a striped
while patrolling Lake Texoma. Walker was an observer during a recent bass at Lake Texoma, which is often called “The Striped Bass Capital of
investigation that revealed striper regulation violations on the lake. the World.”

6 Off the Beaten Path