fished both lakes last week: Fairfield appeared to be dead, apparently individuals have been netting seriously and have impacted the bass population, at Athens, lots of hydrilla, eel grass and some fish were in the lily pads; still too much vegetation and only going to get worse.

The excessive netting by said group at Lake Fairfield is very disturbing. Lot of fish like bass, catfish and the occasional redfish are being netted and kept right in with the talapia going thru the fillet knife at the cleaning stations. No regard for the law or rules and I understand the Rangers just can't stop them all. So sad!

When I have been there the netters have quite a system going. Two or three guys in a boat throwing nets, then bringing coolers back to the cleaning stations. Mamacitas continuously cleaning fish. Seems like someone could be checking there.

Call the Game Warden and pass the information on!

I think TPW has written off Fairfield , It is just a tilapia farm now.

Sad , I had some great redfish trips there with Jackie Kennedy,

Mo

Good news: non heated outdoor �Tilipia Farm� in North Texas won�t last many winters.

Yep it is sad about Fairfield, what a place to go catch bull reds daily. The Talipia netter's are doing nothing illegal. They are not a game fish and they can keep as many as they choose. Yes, I knew the Park Ranger and he fished with me for many years. Said it did no good to ticket them for anything(illegal fish, no license, or anything else) because they would not show up in court and had no drivers license or ID.
Fairfield is a great fading memory, thanks TPWD for the many great years of string stretching here locally.

Sounds like the lake needs a new park ranger asap.

What good would that do? The park rangers have nothing to to with law enforcement. They can only call the sheriff or game warden.

that would be a start. illegal fish and no ID = jail

Still not up to the park rangers, they can only report. It is up to the game wardens, sheriff and the COURTS!

So, if you went fishing and caught a fish, and the game warden asked for your license and you discover you don't have your wallet, you think you should go to jail. (fish + no license or ID)

What good would that do? The park rangers have nothing to to with law enforcement. They can only call the sheriff or game warden. [/quote]

that would be a start. illegal fish and no ID = jail [/quote]



If i'm not doing anything wrong other than forgetting my wallet, no. If I'm cleaning bass at the cleaning station and have in my possession a 12' cast net, no fishing rods and no ID when the warden ask to see it, yes I should go to jail.

that would be a start. illegal fish and no ID = jail [/quote]



If i'm not doing anything wrong other than forgetting my wallet, no. If I'm cleaning bass at the cleaning station and have in my possession a 12' cast net, no fishing rods and no ID when the warden ask to see it, yes I should go to jail. [/quote]

So it's ok for you not to have an ID but not for others?

You are in possession of a game fish and no license, and that's OK for you but not others?

If i'm not doing anything wrong other than forgetting my wallet, no. If I'm cleaning bass at the cleaning station and have in my possession a 12' cast net, no fishing rods and no ID when the warden ask to see it, yes I should go to jail. [/quote]



I see what I'm dealing with here .... i'm going to go talk to a wall now.