This was one expensive fishing trip. Especially when you consider the bounty. I had no clue that there was a market for live smallmouth. I fish these reservoirs and that's scary. How often do you think that DEC has enough manpower to be stalking in the woods of our voluminous reservoirs and lakes? I guarantee we have more bodies of water than encon officers. Does anyone believe that this is a one-off? I just find it hard to believe that they're worth that much. Ever eat one?
One time during a stay on Lake George a few guys I took fishing for the first time wanted to take them back to the lodge and have them cooked up by the chef. It could have been how they were prepared, but man they were bad. Like eating mud.
On Dec. 3, three Brooklyn men pled guilty in the Town of Hurley Court to charges including the taking of black bass out of season and illegal commercialization of protected wildlife. On April 26, ECOs Jason Smith and Lucas Palmateer charged the men at the Ashokan Reservoir after finding them with 35 Smallmouth Bass affixed to a stringer and hidden on the shoreline. Two of the defendants' vehicles were fitted with "live tanks" to transport the fish, with one vehicle registered to a retail fish market in New York City. All three men were also charged with failing to wear personal flotation devices and trespassing; one of the individuals was charged with fishing without a license. The men paid $2,425 in total fines and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection revoked access passes and boat permits for all three individuals.
ECO Palmateer conducting surveillance on the Ashokan Reservoir
