take fish from city ponds?

I am asking this question because a few weeks ago I was fishing at the twin lakes park and saw this family walk up and start fishing . i saw them catch a few sunfish and put them in a bucket. I walked up to them and asked if they had a fishing permit and they didn't have one. They told me that you can take sunfish buy not bass and trout. i know the trout part is bs because they would die durring the summer.Ok, back to the point, is it illegal to take fish from public waters?

I know at the local city pond that i go to every day they have a sign posted that there is a bag limit of 5 fish (any combo) but they still have to be of legal size for the state of tx. (sunfish/bluegill = no size limit in tx)

So it is either depending on the parks regulations or just the state of texas since it is public... so long answer short... no it is not illegal.. just bad taste.

Actually you are wrong. Any public water body you are required to have a fishing license and state fish regulations apply unless noted, city ponds included.

Well ya.. i forgot to specify that.. i mean WITH a llicense. sorry

No license = no fish period unless you own the property.

Guess I forgot they didnt have a license. Thanks Scott

If they had no license they had no business taking those fish! Period.

A long time ago you could use a cane pole and live bait without a license but now if you fish you need a license. In fact, to some GW's thinking if you are sitting there watching your family fish and do not have a license you are in violation.

Are you a Game Warden or some Law enforcement officer? LOL why are you asking people to see their license?

All I have to say is you better be wearing a badge if you come up to me and ask to see my fishing license. I don't know where some people get off thinking they have the right to play game warden. And yes, I do have a license.

WTF? You go up to people and ask them for thier ID's? Thats like walking up to any random civilian in thier car and asking them for thier drivers license.

As far as taking fish from public ponds... It depends on the city ordinance. They should have a sign posted up somewhere. Sometimes on trash can barrels or trees.

It is legal to take fish from a private pond with permission though. No License required.

I'm guessing that you're not an LEO or you wouldn't be asking this question. Since you're not, they are not required to show you their license or anything else for that matter.

In addition to that, if they were fishing legally they could have called the GW themselves and had you ticketed for harassment. In Texas it's illegal to harass a person who is lawfully engaged in any fishing or hunting activity.

tuf crowd,but correct....

I believe i would really get upset if some average joe came up and asked to see my license! I would then proceed to ask to see his badge! And yes i have my license!

Yeah if you asked for my license you would get a look from me and nothing else...if you persisted I would call the cops and have you held for harrassment...as long as you are on public land or fishing a dock on a public body of water (not man made canal)...you have every right.

If this is public water, I don't believe city law can override state law when it comes to bag limits.

Your fishing hole would be a Community Fishing Lake by TPWD definition.

A Community Fishing Lake (CFL) is a public impoundment 75 acres or smaller located totally within an incorporated city limits or a public park

The only exception for community fishing lakes listed in the Outdoor Annual is:

For channel and blue catfish, no minimum length. Daily bag=5 in any combination.
Fishing is by pole and line only. Anglers may use no more than two poles while fishing.

So unless they were using something other than a pole and line to catch those sunfish, they used no more than two poles per person, then it looks like they can legally take as many sunfish as they want.

only if the city prohibits it, otherwise state laws provide