Been checked @ Fork 4 times and have yet to be asked for fishing license or drivers license. they have looked @ fish, life jackets, fire extinguisher, registration card, asked if I've been drinking( I guess that's some kind of reflection on my boat manuvering). They've always been professional, but always act like they are in a hurry.Never been checked during a tournament.

They all have to have probable cause. It's called illegal search and seizure. It's in the Bill of Rights. However, if you ain't got nothing to hide, it is painless, and only takes a few minutes.

Right of search and seizure regulated

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Not sure about Texas laws but in Iowa any DNR official or Law Enforcement Officer can check for a valid hunting or fishing license. Keep in mind thats if you're hunting or fishing when they roll up. I wouldn't see why they wouldn't be able to seeing as they are there to enforce laws.

I've been checked on Sandlin quite a few times over the years. First is was Jerry Ash and now it is a new guy I think his name is Heath. I've also been checked twice in the last year on Welsh. I was checked last weekend on Caddo. All times they checked fishing license, fire extinguisher, life jackets, and throw cushion.

One time on Sandlin after checking everything else, Jerry asked for my fire extinguisher and the needle was just a little below green. He wrote me a warning ticket and said the next time he will give me a ticket. Since I was going to fish the next day I got my extinguisher from my home and put it in the boat. The next day I saw Jerry running down the lake, he saw my boat and made a b-line for me. He pulled up and with a smile asked if I had a fire extinguisher. I think he was real disappointed when I gave him the fully charged one from my house.

If it's owned by a city, they are patrolled by plioce officwers, just like the streets. Lake Houston maybe?

Thanks for taking the time and posting some info guys.. Of all places its was little ol' Lake Gladewater... Thanks again.

Had a warden check me at Eagle Mountain when I was prefishing and he asked if i had any fish in the livewell and i said no so he went on his way.
He did check my license and boat registration too.

IF YOU ARE NOT FISHING WHEN THEY PULL YOU OVER OR CHECK YOU THEN THEY CAN'T CITE YOU FOR FISHING LICENSE. THEY CAN STOP YOU WHILE CRUISING - IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU WERE FISHING.

I have to ask, do you have to have a rope tied to your throw cushion. Have heard they will ticket you on Bob Sandlin for no rope. I heard the rope has to be length of the boat. Any truth to this.

Never been checked on any lake. Had one pass us in a boat lane on fork and get the boat in front of us.. We did have some come off pad about 100 yds from us at falcon. They got out their binocs just as I hooked a 7 pounder. I held it up for them to see and then threw it back. They waved and went on. We joked that they were probably way pointing our spot. We also had the coast guard come into a cove we were in on falcon they came within about 20 yds and then waved put it in reverse and backed out. I have to say that big gun on the front is a bit intimidating.

Ok.. what about having to many rods on top of the compartment where you keep the throw-able flotation cushion..I was out there again today. and was checked again...I was tied up to the dock and got another safety check..I moved my flotation thingy to a different compartment....I guess next time I go out there I will just have everything on the deck...

He doesn't have to be a Game Warden to do safety inspections and any licensed peace officer can enforce any state law. As far as "probable cause" goes, he doesn't need "probable cause" to stop you on the water and check your live well or safety equipment. It's not "law enforcement" its more like "regulation." Just like having to submit to inspections if you own a restaurant or driving a big truck.

was fishing Texoma last Sat, and for the first time I saw a big ol boat that had a Okla Highway Patrol sticker on the side..Thought it was funny--'Highway Patrol' on the water..I also wondered if they could check boats on the Texas side..

On two seperate occasions recently on PK I've had law enforcement come bearing down on me at WOT. Both times I put my rod down and trolling motored away from the bank toward them. They got about 50 yards from me waved then left out in the same fashion they came. Weird.

I was on E. M. last year and got checked, got a warning because my throw divice was not out of the locker amd in plan sight.