Many of us fish around the country and I was wondering how many of you have come across some interesting, frustration or down right dumb rules for fishing in some places or states.

Closed seasons for bass.

Where? What was the season and punishment if broken?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/shopkarls.com/blog/bass-fishing-seasons/%3famp=1

Mark, I was going to say the same thing. Learned about It when I joined bass boat central a while back. Crazy

Yes I fished Lake Casitas in Cali a few years ago and there are a lotta DUMB rules.

1. Can't get on the water until they open the park gate at 7 am
2. Can't pee in the lake (they have floating porta-potties(
3. Can't have pets in the campground because they're afraid the pet will pee & it will run off in lake
4. Can't be on the water after 5 pm. They sound a horn and you had better be off the lake
5. Can't smoke on the lake (I don't but they are afraid you will throw cig butt in lake)

If you break any of their rules and they catch you it is a $500 Fine!

And I'm NOT kidding!!

All sounds reasonable….except the times.

We use to fish an Oxbow Lake off the Ohio River, which was a pay lake by the day in the 60's/70's.
- You had to have a good looking girl in the boat with you; or you would not get through the gate. $4 per boat.
- I dressed my partner up as a girl many times, just to get in. Wig, falsees and the whole nine yards. Always ask if it was ok for HE/SHE to fish in a swim suit and we were in.
- The old man sat on the pourch and watched us through binoculars. Kinda like Deliverance.
- He had one trotline set in the lake and would fix lunch for us each trip.
- 18 paper plates with fish of all species, ell, turtle, snake, muskrat, beaver, and any thing else he caught in traps.
- You had to guess what was on each paper plate as you went down the line tasting. The name was written on the bottom of each paper plate.
- If you guess 10 correct out of 18, lunch was free. Otherwise $2.50 each. Fresh water Ell was the best.
- Best food you ever ate. The old man could cook. Some smoked, fried, lemon - butter, salt and pepper. Homemade hot salsa with fried chip potatos.

One day we get there in 1975 and a old Woman came out to the gate. I had never seen her in all those years. Cecil has passed, she says. We will have lunch at Noon. He told me to feed you guys for free and your partner can take off that fake S#$$. You never fooled Cecil; he got a kick out ot it. We had Tuna style Carp sandwiches and fried potato chips. Now I know the rest of the story.

Pyramid Lake in Nevada is on the Paiute Indian Reservation. Locals (Paiute's) can use any baits (live or artificial) visitor's must ONLY use artificial baits.
Closed bass season in Minnesota.

That’s greatness.

Fished it a few times. The 7 rule didn't apply to some of the locals. Would see a boat or two pulling out as we were allowed in. Was awesome when the trout truck pulled up and started releasing fish. Bass had a hay day looked like someone was throwing hand grenates in the water.

Does anyone remember the years anglers had to pin their fishing license above their waist to their shirt or hat in plain view to legally fish in California? The skimpy safety pins that were supplied were doomed to fail and big bucks were made from lost license replacement fees.

The permit you have to buy for your boat alone to fish San Vincente in California, plus an extra $12 a person. You basically have to buy a permit for your boat at each lake in California.

There are some restrictions on hooks and line for some lakes too, don't remember off the top of my head

Or you have to take a leak????